Mark Waid didn’t enjoy how his high school football career came to a close, but after the initial sting, the Girard quarterback appreciates what the Indians achieved.

This fall, Girard’s football team went to its first state championship game in school history, losing to Cincinnati Wyoming, 42-14.

“Looking back on it, it was a great with my family, my brothers and my coaches as well as our community,” Waid said. “That was our dream and our goal coming into the season and we accomplished it.

“It just shows that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything. We didn’t let the outside influences deter us and we stuck together as a family.”

Girard’s run to the Division IV state final was buoyed by an explosive offense with Waid at the wheel.

Waid passed for 4,376 yards and 48 touchdowns with nine picks while rushing for 1,776 yards and 27 scores. He’s The Vindicator’s Football Offensive Player of the Year for a second year in a row. He was a finalist for Mr. Football, the award given to the best high school football player in the state. He was also the Division IV Northeast Inland District Offensive Player of the Year.

Waid concluded his high school career with every Trumbull County passing record and earned himself a place in the OHSAA’s record books. He’s the state’s third all-time leader in passing yards with 11,658 yards from his four years as the starting quarterback and his 117 passing touchdowns are eighth all time.

Waid is getting a fast start on college. After loading up on advanced courses and by taking high school classes in eighth grade, Waid will have his high school diploma by the end of the calendar year.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was doable,” Waid said.

Waid declined to say where he will attend college to continue to play football, but he can start spring practice in 2019.

— Brian Dzenis, The Vindicator