Driving the Girard train
Waid runs Indians to D-IV state final four
NILES — The headlights kept coming in two-by-two around Bo Rein Stadium as people from Struthers, Leavittsburg and other communities in the Mahoning Valley converged to see Hubbard and Girard face off for the second time this season.
They played for bigger stakes this time since the Week 2 win by Hubbard. A trip to the Division IV state final four was on the line, awaiting one of these schools to overcome the regional final level — a previous stumbling block for both teams.
It was the third time since 2000 Hubbard had made it to a regional final. Girard was edged by Norwayne at this point in 2011, something coach Pat Pearson remembers as an assistant coach on that Indians team. There was no one-point agonizing defeat this time, though, as Girard powered past Hubbard, 43-18, in the Region 13 final.
This is the first time two Mahoning Valley teams have played each other in a regional final since Cardinal Mooney beat Poland in 2009.
“That speaks volumes of how good football is in this area,” Girard senior quarterback Mark Waid. ” I’ll take this area over anywhere. I mean it. There’s a ton of talent in this area and it proves by having two teams in the regional final.”
The Indians (12-1) face Licking Valley (10-3) in a Division IV state semifinal next Saturday at Crater Stadium in Dover, starting at 7 p.m.
All eyes were on one of the best players in the state, Waid. Would he be able to get through a stout Hubbard defense that virtually shut down defending state champion Steubenville the week prior?
Waid is known for his throwing abilities, going for 400 yards against host Niles in Week 1. His rushing abilities aren’t something the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Fordham University commit has had highlighted as much, considering he had 3,636 passing yards. But Waid did gain over 1,500 yards rushing this season.
It was a game in which the towns of Girard and Hubbard filled the respective stands at Bo Rein Stadium.
“My brothers, my family came out,” Waid said. ” We did this for Girard. They’ve supported us through thick and thin. The entire community was in the stands. It’s incredible. It’s a great feeling.”
Waid showed the near capacity crowd how his offensive line could create running lanes to send the Indians to their first-ever state semifinal appearance.
Waid’s 27 carries for 337 yards and four touchdowns dominated the day. He was 7 of 15 for 110 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception.
“It makes us feel good we can work together and help Mark push the ball forward for yards,” senior lineman Jack DelGarbino said.
A third of that rushing performance was on a 96-yard run with 4 minutes left in the third quarter, leading a Girard fan to yell out, “I feel tired for you.” It followed a Terrance Davis interception near the end zone, stalling a Hubbard scoring opportunity.
“We said 100 times Mark Waid drives the train,” Pearson said. “He is, in my opinion, the best player in the state of Ohio, but he has the best team in the state of Ohio, too.”
Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman knew his team had to limit Waid’s performance.
“They played well up front and they created some seams for him,” Hoffman said. “He’s a heckuva player.”
Girard held a 36-18 lead late in the third quarter when Jamil Bannister saw his opportunity. Hubbard was driving in Indians territory — near the 20. Pop. The ball came loose on a 2-yard run and bounced backward. Bannister grabbed it at the 29 and ran 71 yards for the final score of the game.
Girard’s 21-0 third-quarter dominance offensively and defensively put away any thoughts of a Hubbard comeback. That and the Indians going on a 9-minute drive in the fourth quarter with rushes by Waid and Morgan Clardy, who had 15 carries for 101 yards. Those two accounted for the Indians’ 438 yards of rushing.
Hubbard made its move in the second quarter, down 22-6, as it seemed if Girard would go into the locker room with yet another score. The Indians faced a second-and-5 from the Hubbard 16. Eagles defensive back Jamie Thomson saw where Waid’s eyes were going and zoned in on his target. Thomson picked off the pass and went 68 yards to the Girard 11.
Four plays later, Bowling Green commit and Hubbard senior Davion Daniels went a yard into the end zone to close the Girard lead to 22-12 with 4:53 before halftime.
“It got us back into the game and got us some momentum going into halftime,” Hoffman said of Thomson’s defensive play.
Hubbard then put together an 11-play, 59-yard drive capped by a Daniels lofted pass to Brey Donlow for 24 yards with 15.4 seconds before intermission. Donlow had six catches for 75 yards, while Daniels had 21 carries for 97 yards. Hubbard cut the lead to 22-18 before halftime
The Eagles took their regional runner-up trophy after the game, obviously dejected by the result.
Girard had its massive team flag and rushed toward the student section after receiving their regional championship trophy, celebrating with their fan base on the field.
The Indians called themselves a family, something Pearson has done from Week 1. Nothing changed Saturday. He has his team over for dinner on Thursdays before the game. It won’t change this week either. Thanksgiving dinner for the team is at the Pearsons. That’s a lot of turkeys, cranberry sauce, potatoes and gravy.
Waid was hanging out with his family after the game, even posing for a picture with his grandfather.
Waid’s performance on Saturday was nothing short of picture perfect.
“This is what you dream of, you dream of going on a state run,” Waid said. “We’re not satisfied yet.”
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