Waid leads Indians over Hubbard

RELATED: Tom Williams: Girard has plenty to celebrate on both sides

Girard v. Hubbard

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By STEVE RUMAN

sports@vindy.com

NILES

One more Monday.

It’s been the battle cry of the Girard High football team ever since the start of the playoffs.

All the team wants, according to Coach Pat Pearson, is “another Monday, another chance to gather our football family together for another practice.”

The Girard Indians (12-1) will indeed practice again on Monday and throughout the upcoming week in preparation for the Division IV state semifinals.

The Indians assured themselves of another week of workouts and another game thanks to a convincing 43-18 win over Hubbard on Saturday night in the Region 13 title game at Bo Rein Stadium.

The win gives Girard its first regional championship. The Indians will play Licking Valley (10-3) on Saturday at Crater Stadium in Dover for the right to advance to the state title game.

“We just weren’t ready to say goodbye yet,” Pearson said. “This team truly defines the word family.

“All of the talk about celebrating our accomplishments, we’ll look back on that at another time. Right now, all we care about is keeping this family together for another week.”

Hubbard (11-2) found itself trailing 22-6 in the early stages of the second quarter, but the Eagles scored a pair of touchdowns just before halftime, cutting their deficit to 22-18 at the break. Girard then turned a close game into a blowout by scoring 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.

As he has done all year long, Girard senior quarterback Mark Waid carried the load for the Indians. Waid rushed for 337 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. He also threw for 110 yards and a TD.

“I’ve said it over and over again, Mark Waid drives the train, he is in my opinion the best player in the state of Ohio,” Pearson said.

Hubbard briefly got itself back in the game in the second quarter thanks to a 68-yard interception return by Jamie Thomson. The play came occurred with Girard leading by 16 and driving inside the Hubbard 20.

Thomson’s pick set up a Davion Daniels 1-yard touchdown run. Then following a three-and-out by the Girard offense, Hubbard marched 60 yards on 12 plays, capped by a Daniels 24-yard touchdown pass to Bray Donlow.

“We came out of the locker room down by four, and we had an opportunity to get right back into it, but we made some mistakes and Girard capitalized,” Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said. “Girard played well tonight. They played really well up front on both sides.”

“It’s not rocket science. We knew we had to stop [Waid], and we couldn’t do it.”

Girard scored on its first possession of the second half to go up 29-18. The Indians then came up with two big defensive plays — and a huge play by Waid — to seal the win.

With Hubbard down by 11 and driving, Girard defensive back Terrance Davis intercepted a pass at the Indians’ 4-yard line. On the next play, Waid broke off a 95-yard run, setting up his own 1-yard touchdown run.

Hubbard drove down to the Girard 19 on its next possession, but a fumble was scooped up by Girard’s Jamil Bannister and returned to the end zone, closing out the scoring on the night.

“Coaches are always telling us to make plays that force turnovers,” Bannister said. “I saw that ball come loose, and I just grabbed it and started running to the house. To score a touchdown like that, in this big a game, it’s unbelievable. I can’t describe what I’m feeling. It’s awesome to contribute to this win.”

The victory avenges Girard’s only loss of the season, a 48-32 setback at Hubbard on Aug. 31.

“We didn’t listen to the outsiders, those who kept saying that we couldn’t beat Hubbard,” Waid said. “We know what we’re capable of. This is awesome, this is a dream come true but we’re not satisfied yet.

“The entire community was in the stands tonight. This win is for them.”

For Girard, a win also means that the team will spend Thanksgiving together at Pearson’s home.

“We eat together every Thursday at my house, we’ll do the same this week,” Pearson said. “What better way than to spend Thanksgiving with family.”