In The Arena: Gods over odds

When the odds aren’t in your favor, maybe the Gods are. There’s always a reason to play the game. Groveport Madison (Ohio) is proof.

Entering last Friday’s football game against Pickerington Central (Ohio), the Cruisers were looking for their first win since 1990 in a rivalry that’s been contested every year since 1981. If you’re counting, that’s 28-straight losses to their northern neighbor.

No one gave Groveport a shot. No one thought that abnormal.

Pickerington Central was ranked in a national poll and considered the second best team in the Great Lakes region by this writer. The Tigers are looking for their fourth straight regional title and are a season removed from winning the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state championship (2017). Three of their seniors – defensive lineman Ty Hamilton, quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw and defensive lineman Abraham Alabi – are considered among the Top 50 prospects in Ohio by 247sports.com. Hamilton is headed to Ohio State. Two juniors – receiver Lorenzo Styles Jr. and running back Nick Mosley – are ranked among the Top 40 prospects in their class. Styles owns 19 offers, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan, Florida and Auburn.

All 15 writers in a local media panel (thisweeknews.com) picked Pickerington Central to win and a state-based website (fantastic50.net) gave the Tigers an 87% chance of victory – by 20 points or more. 

No matter.

Down 14-7 late in the third quarter, Groveport added back-to-back field goals by Austin Snyder, the last following a blocked punt, to close to within 14-13 in the fourth quarter.

With 6:41 remaining, Groveport junior John Motton intercepted Crenshaw. The Cruisers drove 58 yards for the winning score (video highlights).

“We tried to give them a different look (on the last drive),” Groveport head coach Bryan Schoonover told ThisWeek. “When we called the play the kids executed it perfectly and we were able to get a score.”

Senior Emmanuel Anthony’s 19-yard touchdown run with 1:54 remaining punctuated the Cruisers comeback and provided the final score: Groveport 19, Pickerington Central 14.

“We just kept punching it,” Anthony said. “We just didn’t give up. It’s a very special moment because we haven’t beaten them in 30 years. It’s emotional.”

“Look around,” Schoonover said. “It’s been 28 years. Look around. It’s something special. It’s something real, real special.”

Groveport’s reward? Another opportunity for a historic statement.

The Cruisers, 4-0 for the first time since 2010, travel to fellow undefeated Olentangy Liberty (Powell, Ohio) today for a 7 p.m. kickoff (Live Score here). Liberty (4-0), like Pickerington Central, is looking for its fourth straight D-I regional title.

“(Groveport) had a huge win and I am excited for coach Schoonover and what they’ve done down there,” Liberty head coach Steve Hale told ThisWeek. “They’ve battled to get in a position to be successful. They will give us a great challenge.”

Not according to the odds. Fantastic50.net gives Liberty an 86% chance to win by 19 points or more.

Maybe the Gods will see it differently – again.