“Yeah, it’s frustrating because we did lose all those games (to TCC) and the state title game as well, but outside of that it’s a new season. We have to look at it with what we have now.”
What Trotwood has is a date with storied program history. That will come Saturday when Trotwood (12-2) plays Akron Archbishop Hoban (13-1) for the D-III state championship at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The defending state champ, Hoban advanced by defeating Columbus St. Francis DeSales 23-14 in Saturday’s other state semi at Mansfield.
Trotwood, the last Greater Western Ohio Conference team still playing, relied on a shut-down and swarming defense all season. It was never better than against the Irish and their record-setting senior running back Michael Warren.
A contender for Mr. Football with nearly 3,000 yards rushing this season, Warren was checked for the first time perhaps in his career, gaining 18 yards on 15 carries. He finished as the state’s No. 5 all-time leading career rusher with 7,619 yards.
“They’re a great defense,” TCC coach Greg Dempsey said. “That’s where they hang their hat. They’re very fast, very athletic and they have good size. We had a bad night, and there’s just no other way to say it.”
Trotwood’s defense was at its dominating best, limiting TCC to 40 total yards, forcing nine punts and allowing one first down. Fittingly, Trotwood defensive back Romello Michaels returned an interception 70 yards to open the scoring. TCC never recovered.
“Like coach said, we’re not looking to the past, we’re looking to the future,” Rams standout linebacker Kobe Vinegar said. “Everything in the future is what’s important right now.”
It was the only defeat for TCC (13-1), which had ended three of Trotwood’s previous four seasons with losses, including the 2012 D-II state title game and the others in state semis, including 21-13 here last year.
Rams junior running back Raveion Hargrove was electrifying again, gaining 165 yards on 16 carries and scoring twice. His 76-yard TD run on the Rams’ first play from scrimmage to start the second half not only deflated any comeback hope TCC had but also started a running clock, something TCC had done to opposing teams.
Rams quarterback Markell Stephens-Peppers completed 8 of 19 passes for 140 yards, including a 31-yard TD strike to Dallas Daniels. Mikey’Ion Hunter also scored on a short run late in the game.
“This means a lot,” said Hargrove, who’s gained 705 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in the Rams’ four-game playoff run. “It’s so surreal, I can’t believe it.”
That likely goes for Toledo Central Catholic, the state’s D-III poll champ, too.
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