Freshman William McDaniel answered that call, scoring on two short second-half runs in a clutch 34-27 win that vaulted Trotwood (11-2) into Saturday’s Division III state semifinal rematch against Toledo Central Catholic (13-0) at Lima’s Spartan Stadium (7 p.m.).
Hargrove eventually returned to the Rams’ lineup and matched his season best with 212 yards rushing and also scoring twice. McDaniel added 77 yards rushing on seven carries and has cemented his place as the Rams’ 1-2 backfield punch.
The Rams will have to be at their best to finally overcome Central Catholic, which has defeated Trotwood in three of the last four seasons, including the D-II state title game in 2012. Last season the Irish defeated the Rams 21-13 also in a D-III state semi.
Also playing in Week 14 state semifinals are Alter (D-IV) and Marion Local (D-VI) on Friday and Coldwater (D-V) and Minster (D-VII) on Saturday. All the winners advance to next week’s season-ending state championships at Columbus.
Trotwood has flexed its defensive might all season and awaits its most severe test in TCC senior running back Michael Warren. His 2,722 yards rushing (and 45 total touchdowns) put him at No. 5 among all-time career rushers in Ohio with 7,601 yards (105 career TDs). In last year’s game the University of Toledo commit rushed for 183 yards and scored once.
TCC lineman James Hudson, 6-5, 280, has been a two-way starter for three seasons and is committed to Michigan.
Hargrove also has a place in the Ohio record books with the No. 8 all-time best single season last year when he gained 3,039 yards in 13 games. Beset by leg injuries, he had just 202 yards rushing through Week 5 this season. But he’s returned to that familiar slashing style since the playoffs began, totaling 541 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in the Rams’ three wins.
“It’s going to be a tough battle,” Graham said. “Our guys have to go get focused and prepare for them. That’s a good program and we know it’s going to be a tough ball game.”
• Trotwood will be playing in its seventh straight state semifinal, the most successful streak by any immediate area program.
Four-time defending D-V state champ Coldwater (12-1) will play Coshocton (12-1) at Lewis Center Olentangy in its eighth straight state semi and 13th since 1995. Marion Local (12-1) is matched against Hamler Patrick Henry (13-0), also at Lima, on Saturday. That will mark the Flyers’ sixth straight state semi and and 13th since 1999.
• Alter (13-0) faces a major challenge in defending D-IV state champion Columbus Bishop Hartley (11-2) on Friday at London. After being pushed by Cincinnati Indian Hill 54-28 in its playoff opener, Alter has surrendered seven total points in defeats of Clinton-Massie and Cincinnati Wyoming.
“That’s got to happen if we’re going to keep going,” said Alter coach Ed Domsitz.
• The OHSAA announced the state championship times Tuesday. All the games will be held at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Division II was chosen to be the Thursday, Dec. 1 opener at 7:30 p.m. The order of games on Friday, Dec. 2 is D-VI (10 a.m.), D-IV (3 p.m.) and D-I (8 p.m.). On Saturday, Dec. 3 it’s D-VII (10 a.m.), D-III (3 p.m.) and D-V (8 p.m.).
All the games will be televised live by Time Warner Cable channels 1311 (HD), 311 and 99.
• Two of this week’s state semis involving area teams will be televised by TWC: Friday’s Alter/Hartley game at 11:30 p.m. (delay) and Saturday’s Coldwater/Coshocton games at 10:30 p.m. (delay).
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