Huber Heights Wayne can't topple St. Edward for Ohio Division I football title

The magical postseason run for the Wayne (Huber Heights) football team finally came to an end Saturday night in Canton as the Warriors lost to St. Edward (Lakewood) 35-28 in the Division I state championship.

The Eagles overcame a 14-point second-half deficit, which tied a record for the largest victorious comeback in the Division I state championship, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

"It wasn't our night," Wayne coach Jay Minton told the Dayton Daily News.

MaxPreps' Ohio football playoff brackets
 
St. Edward scored with 1:32 left for the decisive go-ahead score. Senior quarterback Kevin Burke had 89 yards passing and a touchdown and ran for a team-high 130 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles, who arrived from the Cleveland area.

Huber Heights Wayne senior quarterback Braxton Miller, an Ohio State commit, completed his outstanding career in dramatic fashion. He was 15 of 24 throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He had 15 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns.

"We had it," Miller told the newspaper. "You just get too happy at some times, and good teams come back."

Video of Braxton Miller

The publication reported Miller had that strong performance at Fawcett Stadium as his future coach – Ohio State coach Jim Tressel – watched at the stadium.

Wayne, which was the Southwest District representative to the state finals, finished the season with an 11-4 record. Wayne was the No. 8 seed going into the postseason. The Warriors have had two state final appearances and have been runner-up both times.

TROTWOOD-MADISON FINISHES AS RUNNER-UP
The Trotwood-Madison football team lost to Maple Heights 45-33 in the Division III state championship in Massillon. Maple Heights senior quarter Shaquille Washington, a University of Cincinnati commit, accounted for seven touchdowns in the game. He finished with 29 carries for 174 yards. Trotwood-Madison, which held a 13-0 lead early in the game, was led by senior running back Antwan Gilbert, who had 28 carries for 179 yards. Maple Heights finished with a 15-0 record, while Trotwood-Madison had a 12-3 record.

HARRISON COACH STEPS DOWN
Harrison football coach Neal Kasner stepped down after being the head coach for five seasons at the school. He had a record of 31-23. Kasner said he doesn't have specific plans for next season, but would like to coach. Harrison was 5-6 during the 2010 season, including a Division II postseason appearance. Harrison lost to Trotwood-Madison 39-15 in the first round.

MARSHALL DRAWS INTEREST FROM BIG-TIME PROGRAMS
Alabama and Ohio State are showing interest in Middletown sophomore quarterback Jalin Marshall, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Marshall, who is 6 feet tall and 195 pounds, has early offers from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Ohio State and Alabama visited Middletown on Dec. 1. Middletown coach Jason Krause said Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Northwestern and West Virginia are among other college programs showing interest. Marshall, who is one of the state's top players in the 2013 class, rushed for 1,426 yards and 17 touchdowns and threw for 693 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. Marshall will play basketball for the Middies this winter.

MORE RECRUITING NEWS
Sycamore junior tight end A.J. Williams was recently offered by Ohio University. Williams, who is 6-6 and 255 pounds, was a first-team all-Greater Miami Conference selection this season. … Colerain senior quarterback Tyler Williams was scheduled to take an official visit to Akron this weekend. Williams was the GMC offensive player of the year this season. He rushed for 1,654 yards and 20 touchdowns and threw for 534 yards and 11 touchdowns. … Walnut Hills senior tight end Benson Browne was scheduled to take an official visit North Carolina State this weekend. Brown has offers from North Carolina State, Marshall, Illinois, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisville and others. … Winton Woods senior linebacker Antonio Poole was scheduled to take an official visit to Wake Forest this weekend. He will take an official visit to Cincinnati the weekend of Dec. 11. Poole has been considering schools that include Nebraska, Purdue, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Wake Forest and others.