Wayne Trace took on Mechanicsburg Indians at Wapakoneta Harmon Field on Friday, November 29. The team has performed near flawlessly this year and now they are in the final four They have produced some serious winnings this year. This is the furthest team to ever get this far in the state tournament and they are looking to extend that to the final game.
Between the Fans and Players, the Cheerleaders are always there!
Wayne Trace started on this cold night, taking control of the scoreboard early. Senior Jared Sherry scored the first touchdown with just a minute or so into the game (see the video). Colby Speice ran the ball in for two more points. Mechanicsburg received the ball from the Raider kickoff. They drove the ball down the field but the Wayne Trace top notch defense held them from getting the touchdown. The Indians then kicked the ball for the three points, the only points the team achieved in the first half.
Wayne Trace then received the ball and ran the ball down to their side of the field. Next Speice ran a nine yard touchdown to the goal and Sherry added the two point conversion finishing the the first quarter score 16-3.
The second quarter was similar to the first minus the 3 points from Mechanicsburg. Raider player Tyler Showalter ran a 17 yard touchdown with Colby Speice adding 2 points. Shortly after this Wayne Trace lost the ball to the Indians in an intercepted play. The Raider defense held the offensive team, not allowing them anywhere near the goal. Next Wayne Trace took over the ball, driving it down to the their goal. They were marked within a yard to the end zone and pushed the ball forward and finished the 2nd quarter with a halftime score 30-3.
Touchdown!
The third quarter was all Raiders—scoring three touchdowns while the Indians posted nothing—finishing the third 50-3. The fourth quarter brought another touchdown for both teams and the game finished with Wayne Trace on top 57-10. What a nice Thanksgiving weekend win for this team!
The Raiders had 587 total yards of rushing compared to Mechanicsburg’ 145. Wayne Trace has scored 217 points in the last four games and averaged 54 points per game in the playoffs.
This is the first time Wayne Trace, let alone a Paulding County team, has ever competed in the State Championship football game. Coach Bill Speller said he was proud of being part of the GMC. The Green Meadows Conference had Ayersville travel to the state game back in 1986, but they did not win. This could be the first of many new records for this area.
WKSD announced Aaron Stoller as their Peak Performer of the Game. Jared Sherry was proclaimed to be the Player of the Game. Devin Winslick was awarded the title of Defender of the Game.
Wayne Trace (13-1) will play Kirtland (14-0) on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Fawcett Stadium in Canton for the State Championship game. Kirtland defeated Bishop Ready in a close game 10-7.
