Thurgood Marshall graduation 2012
Badin vs. Versailles
Law Enforcement Memorial Day
Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2009 > November > 03 > Entry
Week 1 win propelled West Carrollton
Things were still a little shaky for the West Carrtollton High School football team when the Pirates started their season.
They had won four straight to close the 2008 season, which provided plenty of confidence. But, before winning those four games, the Pirates had lost 25 of their previous 26 games.
Plus, there’s the uncertainty that always comes with the debut of a new coach, even though Rob Berger had been at the school as defensive coordinator.
Then came the opener against Wilmington. West Carrollton trailed 13-6 in the middle of the fourth quarter, which is a time in the past the Pirates might have slumped their shoulders and been discouraged.
This time, they turned it around. Sophomore Randy Stites returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown. After a defensive stop, the Pirates scored on a 25-yard slant pass to win 20-13 after scoring 14 points in the final six minutes.
With that, West Carrollton had started 1-0 against a team in Wilmington that would eventually also make the D-II playoffs.
Nine weeks later, the Pirates are 8-2 and preparing to face Tecumseh in the first round of the D-II playoffs on Friday.
That first win, Berger said, helped to make it happen.
“We had to come back to win, and I think it look the team know what they could do,” Berger said. “That started everything. Without that comeback victory, the season could’ve played itself out very differently.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Football
Comments
By hsfootballguy
November 3, 2009 2:19 PM | Link to this
The Priates may be in for some good season in the coming years. Coach berger descinds from the Al Hetrick coaching tree from Versailles if I am not mistaken. No better coaching tree in Ohio High School football than that one and coaches win HS football games more than players do. No way the consistently successful teams alway have better players than the also rans.. it is all about coaching. good Luck against Tecumseh, another well coached and consistently excellent team.
By DC_baller
November 3, 2009 2:44 PM | Link to this
Two words: Loren Snow
By flipper
November 3, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
West Carrollton will roll over Tecumseh easily. I gave the Pirates coach some inside info that will be helpful.
By Arrows10
November 3, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
Wc roll on the arrows?? HAHAHA that made my day man that really did. Come friday night you will see why the arrows D only gave up 57 points the whole season and go figure west carrollton plays their 1st team that is over .500 and get stomped GOOOOOO FIGURE
By ebruce
November 5, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this
WC played a very soft schedule. Great year for a great school, but lets be realistic. They had to struggle to beat the worst Miamisburg team in a generation.