USA TODAY ARTICLE: Hilliard Davidson rallies, upsets No. 16 Glenville for Ohio title
CANTON, Ohio (AP) — Jake Trubiano had complete confidence in his coach's daring call. Trubiano ran around left end to score a 2-point conversion with 1:04 remaining to give Hilliard Davidson the Ohio Division I championship with a 16-15 win over Cleveland Glenville on Saturday night.
"It's the first time we've used it, but when we started practicing it a few weeks ago, coach said to me, 'This play will never fail,' " Trubiano said.
It didn't — and the Wildcats (13-1) kept the Tarblooders (13-2) from becoming the first Cleveland public school to win a football title in any division.
"This one hurts so bad, I am going to carry it with me into next season," Glenville junior quarterback Cardale Jones said. "We had advantage in this game, but they executed better."
It was the second time in four years the Wildcats won the title with a 2-point conversion. They beat Mentor 36-35 in double overtime on a similar play for the 2006 title.
"We debated it," coach Brian White said. "Some of the assistants said to kick, tie it, and try for overtime.
"Everbody says we're conservative and play boring games, but I have faith in my players. You make it and it's a good call."
Glenville coach Ted Ginn praised the Wildcats for their determination while saying his players grew with the loss.
"They ran the ball and stuck with what they believe," Ginn said. "You take something from a game anytime you win or lose. We were winners just to be here."
No Cleveland public school had ever played for a state football title until the Tarblooders overcame a heartbreaking 14-13 loss to defending champion and 10-time title winner Cleveland St. Ignatius on the first week of the season, then rolled to history. They allowed only 20 points over their final seven regular-season games and ousted St. Ignatius in the second round.
Jones was hurt two plays before the end of the first half. He was helped from the field after being hit by two defenders, but played the entire second half.
"I couldn't stop playing in this game," Jones said, adding that he still had pain around his right knee and ankle. "My teammates were saying, 'C'mon, we need you.' I couldn't let them down, especially the seniors."
Rico Butler's 29-yard run on fourth-and-1 put Davidson ahead in the third quarter. Glenville bunched the middle of the line, but Butler stepped around left tackle and sped away from the pack. Keith Heitzman's 2-point run made it 8-0.
The Tarblooders came right back with a 6-play, 72-yard drive, keyed by Jones's 26-yard pass to Latwan Anderson to the Davidson 22. Three plays later, Jones scooted 10 yards around the left side to score, then threw a 2-point pass to Shayne Wynn to tie it.
On the next play from scrimmage, Devonte Morgan recovered a fumble by Tyler Talbott on the Davidson 20 and Glenville took the lead three plays later. Jones hit Christian Bryant with a pass for 7 yards, but Bryant fumbled at the 2. Nicholas Davis scooped up the ball and dove between two defenders and into the end zone. Bryant's extra-point kick made it 15-8.
Trubiano gained 196 yards on 18 carries and led the celebration in a joyous locker room one night after the team was hit by tragedy.
A moment of silence was held before the game for 16-year-old sophomore Arthur Lane, who died after being struck by a train while walking on the tracks and wearing headphones Friday.
"His classmates took it very hard," White said. "We met last night and again before the game. We're happy tonight, but I'm sure there will be more mourning in the days ahead."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
"It's the first time we've used it, but when we started practicing it a few weeks ago, coach said to me, 'This play will never fail,' " Trubiano said.
It didn't — and the Wildcats (13-1) kept the Tarblooders (13-2) from becoming the first Cleveland public school to win a football title in any division.
"This one hurts so bad, I am going to carry it with me into next season," Glenville junior quarterback Cardale Jones said. "We had advantage in this game, but they executed better."
It was the second time in four years the Wildcats won the title with a 2-point conversion. They beat Mentor 36-35 in double overtime on a similar play for the 2006 title.
"We debated it," coach Brian White said. "Some of the assistants said to kick, tie it, and try for overtime.
"Everbody says we're conservative and play boring games, but I have faith in my players. You make it and it's a good call."
Glenville coach Ted Ginn praised the Wildcats for their determination while saying his players grew with the loss.
"They ran the ball and stuck with what they believe," Ginn said. "You take something from a game anytime you win or lose. We were winners just to be here."
No Cleveland public school had ever played for a state football title until the Tarblooders overcame a heartbreaking 14-13 loss to defending champion and 10-time title winner Cleveland St. Ignatius on the first week of the season, then rolled to history. They allowed only 20 points over their final seven regular-season games and ousted St. Ignatius in the second round.
Jones was hurt two plays before the end of the first half. He was helped from the field after being hit by two defenders, but played the entire second half.
"I couldn't stop playing in this game," Jones said, adding that he still had pain around his right knee and ankle. "My teammates were saying, 'C'mon, we need you.' I couldn't let them down, especially the seniors."
Rico Butler's 29-yard run on fourth-and-1 put Davidson ahead in the third quarter. Glenville bunched the middle of the line, but Butler stepped around left tackle and sped away from the pack. Keith Heitzman's 2-point run made it 8-0.
The Tarblooders came right back with a 6-play, 72-yard drive, keyed by Jones's 26-yard pass to Latwan Anderson to the Davidson 22. Three plays later, Jones scooted 10 yards around the left side to score, then threw a 2-point pass to Shayne Wynn to tie it.
On the next play from scrimmage, Devonte Morgan recovered a fumble by Tyler Talbott on the Davidson 20 and Glenville took the lead three plays later. Jones hit Christian Bryant with a pass for 7 yards, but Bryant fumbled at the 2. Nicholas Davis scooped up the ball and dove between two defenders and into the end zone. Bryant's extra-point kick made it 15-8.
Trubiano gained 196 yards on 18 carries and led the celebration in a joyous locker room one night after the team was hit by tragedy.
A moment of silence was held before the game for 16-year-old sophomore Arthur Lane, who died after being struck by a train while walking on the tracks and wearing headphones Friday.
"His classmates took it very hard," White said. "We met last night and again before the game. We're happy tonight, but I'm sure there will be more mourning in the days ahead."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.