Waynesville High’s football team didn’t end the season the way that it had hoped.
But, when the sting of a Division IV playoff loss to Clinton-Massie on Nov. 7 wears off, the Spartans will be able to remember the 2009 campaign fondly.
Waynesville captured a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division championship — its third title in five years.
The Spartans also secured their third straight playoff berth, despite moving up to Division IV this season.
“We always talk about moving forward and doing better than we did the previous season,” Waynesville coach Glen Burchfield said. “The challenge was tougher this year because we moved up a division, but the team worked hard and never stopped believing that they would reach their goals. This team has a lot to be proud of.”
Waynesville’s current senior class has been a part of all three playoff squads. Quarterback Cory Young and running back Seth Millar finished outstanding careers with stellar seasons.
Millar rushed for 1,765 yards and scored 25 touchdowns, finishing his career as the all-time leading rusher and scorer in school history.
Young combined for more than 1,700 yards from scrimmage (888 passing, 830 rushing).
“I can’t say enough about those two and the rest of our seniors,” Burchfield said. “They have been a huge part of our success and they will be missed.”
The challenge that lies ahead for the Spartans will be to continue on their current path of success without those seniors.
Waynesville returns a core of contributing starters on defense, including five of the team’s top seven tacklers in Josh Powell, Isaac Hammonds, Chase Gianattasio, Mike Tarkany and Matt Lindsey. The Spartans also return three of the team’s top five receivers in Gianattasio, Joe Tweel and Ryan Potter.
“We will have a strong challenge ahead of us, but that’s the same as it is every year,” Burchfield said. “We have built a culture of winning, and we expect to continue in that tradition.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4526 or shayes@coxohio.com.
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