I think my best win would have to be against Versailles in the 1989 semi-final game. This win was particularly sweet because we had lost to them the previous two years, and it sent us into the Finals in Columbus. The final score does not look as close as this one actually was. We trailed a good part of this game until Pete Ruby kicked the go ahead field goal in the fourth quarter.

A close second would have to be the win over West in 1988, because of the incredible comeback of scoring two touchdowns in the last nine minutes of the game in a drenching rain. I remember Scott Vassar opening the door for the win by leaping over the center to block one of West’s PAT attempts.

My hardest loss at Wheelersburg was the loss of a teammate, when Eric Wallace was injured in the tenth game of my senior season against Washington Courthouse. The loss that the team felt that night and the following weeks was harder than any game that we ever lost. Eric’s injury was an enormous blow to the team. To finish the regular season 10-0 and ranked 1st in the State AP poll, but be uncertain about the survival of one of your teammates is an terrible contrast of emotions. It turns out that while we could not enjoy our accomplishments to that point in the season we could fall back on our determination. After a couple of days to reflect on the situation, the team decided that the only thing we could really do for Eric was to bear down and play to win in the hope that our success would inspire his recovery. The next four weeks was a gritty journey to meet Eric in Columbus.

My most memorable event would have to be the State Championship. The entire day was like living in a dream. I remember entering Ohio Stadium while the earlier game was in progress. I remember being in awe of the locker room when we entered it. I remember the chills I got when we took the field. I remember the first score of the game by JFK, when we were the only ones that didn’t see a mismatch. I remember leveling the score with "Special" where Chris Risner and I made up the lightest left side of an offensive line in State Championship history. I remember the 92 yard drive (that was more like 140 yards including the offensive penalties) finishing with a dominating goal line surge. I remember the sense of urgency during JFK’s last two drives that ended with a 4th down stop and an interception. I remember the overwhelming joy when we took possession for the last time knowing that we owned the clock. I remember not wanting to leave the field knowing I had played my last. I remember the pride I had as Coach Miller accepted the trophy. I remember the chaos of the locker room. I remember the endless parade of supporters when we arrived in Scioto County. I remember the mass of fans to welcome us at the Stadium. And, finally, I remember accepting the Championship Rings in the gymnasium.