Published: November 29, 2008 01:23 am            

Grafton punches state title ticket

Bearcats advance with 42-12 rout of Wayne

GRAFTON — While Mark Yoho and his Grafton players can point to one date — a Week Six rout of Williamstown — where it sunk in, where the Bearcats believed a state title trip was a real possibility, it’s hard to process the thought when it finally comes true.

But then came Friday’s Class AA state semifinal.

Yoho, the team’s first-year coach, admitting he couldn’t put what he was feeling into words. A raucous crowd of what seemed to be half of Taylor County shaking the McKinney Field bleachers like an earthquake. Players, before rushing the field to celebrate with teammates, condensing what they just accomplished into three simple words:

“We did it.”

Oh, did they. Grafton got a huge game from running back Damon Waters and more than enough help elsewhere, rolling past Wayne, 42-12, and on to the state championship game for the first time since 1997.

The Bearcats will play the winner of today’s Magnolia-James Monroe semifinal next Friday night at Wheeling Island Stadium.

“I don’t know what to tell you. ... I’m speechless,” Yoho said.

Grafton, now 12-1, has flexed its offensive muscles all season — scoring at least 40 points eight times including Friday — and is continuing the trend this postseason. In three playoff games, the team has outscored the opposition 124-35.

“It’s hard to put a finger on one thing, but the seniors don’t want this to end,” Waters said.

Waters certainly did his part. He rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns, including runs of 53 and 48 yards.

The senior scatback also caught a five-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter as the Bearcats built a 28-0 lead by halftime.

In all, four of Waters’ 10 carries resulted in gains exceeding 20 yards.

“The offensive line did such a great job. It’s the best they’ve blocked all year. It’s hard to take the credit; anyone could have run through those holes.”

Quarterback Cameron Gallaher added 82 yards on 14 attempts and scored Grafton’s first touchdown on a two-yard plunge in the opening quarter. He hit on 3 of 10 passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns. He was also intercepted once.

Gallaher and Waters combined for all but eight of the Bearcats’ total yards.

But while two players did the heavy living, others, as has been the case throughout, played key roles. Among those, Andrew Ferguson stopped a Wayne first-quarter drive with an interception, and Asa Coplin hauled in a 22-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 45-yard grab to set up another score.

“These kids really work hard,” Yoho said. “They work their tails off — they’re not this good by accident.

“But we still have one more game to go. We’re ready for it.”

E-mail Nick Cammuso at ncammuso@timeswv.com.

        

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