State champions are remembered forever. They are enshrined in their communities as legends.
Dreams will become reality for one team on Saturday night in Canton.
Both Glenville and Wyoming bring unblemished records into the state championship game, and one will come away as a champion. One will have joyous memories for all time.
GLENVILLE TARBLOODERS (14-0) vs. WYOMING COWBOYS (15-0)
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., December 3, 2022
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, OH
Follow on Twitter: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Glenville’s D’Shawntae Jones has been a constant threat to opposing defenses. The junior has rushed 49 times for 527 yards and nine touchdowns in just the last three weeks. He opened the season with 481 yards through the first three games and has been consistent throughout a dominant season. Glenville also features several talented high major recruits. Arvell Reese, the team’s defensive leader at linebacker, is heading to Ohio State.
Everything revolves around senior tailback CJ Hester for Wyoming. The Mr. Football finalist has rushed for 3,074 yards and 48 touchdowns on the season. Hester has been pretty much unstoppable all season long for his opponents. In his career he has run for 7,079 yards, good for 14th on Ohio’s all-time list. Quarterback Quad Hauer has been steady in completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,085 yards and seven scores through the air. Hauer also leads the team on the defensive side of the ball with 141 tackles at the linebacker position.
TEAM TRENDS: Glenville is a fast and physical football team. The Tarblooders thrive by putting their athletes in space and being solid on the defensive side of the ball. They had a string of six straight shutouts during the regular season.
The Wyoming offense racks up 368 yards a game with 266 of those yards coming on the ground. They score 37 points per game as a scoring machine. Defensively the Cowboys boast one of the tougher units in the state. They give up a mere 3.7 points per game and have shut out 10 of their 15 opponents on the season.
HEAD COACHES:
Glenville: Ted Ginn Sr. (25th year)
Wyoming: Aaron Hancock (122-16 at Wyoming, 10 years; 122-16 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Glenville (19th appearance, 28-18) – 2022, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014,
2013 (State Runner-up), 2010, 2009 (State Runner-up), 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 (Regional Champion), 2003,
2001, 2000, 1999
Wyoming (28th appearance, 37-25) – 2022, 2021, 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (Regional Champion), 2018 (State Champion), 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2009 (Regional Champion), 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998 (Regional Champion), 1997, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1988, 1977 (State Champion), 1975 (State Runner-up)
GLENVILLE’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Stop the run. Wyoming has been a running machine and are unstoppable when they can dictate the tempo of the game. If the Glenville defense is up to the challenge, they can win a championship
WYOMING’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Force feed Hester. When you have one of the better players in the state’s history, you should feed him as much as possible. The Cowboys should stick to their guns and run the ball consistently and efficiently. If they are successful, they will bring home yet another state title.
Prediction: Wyoming 34, Glenville 31
