Fall sports teams at Canal Winchester High School are finishing up their seasons in a big way with league championships, regional wins, and playoff berths.
On Oct. 26, Indian football players finished 9-1 with a 17-0 win over Logan Elm.
The Mid-State League champion Indians qualified for the state football playoffs and will play Germantown Valley View (5-5) on Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in Canal Winchester.
In the final round of rankings, the Indians came in second in Region 12, Division III. Canal Winchester Athletic Director Kent Riggs lauded the team’s 2007 season and said it is the first time since 1988 the Indians qualified for football play-off action.
"We have a new head coach this year, Phil Mauro, who comes from Massillon Jackson, and has energized the program," said Riggs. "He organized the kids, they bought into his philosophy, and it shows. Our record last year was 2-8, so this has been quite a turnaround. We’re really excited."
Looking back over the 2007 season, Riggs felt the Sept. 14 game with Teays Valley stood out because it was so close-the final score was a 25-24 win.
"Tony Davis, a senior running back had over 1,000 yards at the end of the season," reported Riggs, "and during the game with Teays Valley, he had a big kick-off return for a touchdown."
Additionally, the Canal Winchester cross country and soccer teams also experienced winning seasons. Both the girls and boys cross country teams, coached by John Bender, won league championships. The girls team took regional top honors at Pickerington North and the boys team was runner-up.
The girls soccer team, coached by Jim Stevens, took first place in the Mid-State League and senior Nicole Langston was named Mid-State League Player of the Year.
"We had a good year overall last year," said Riggs, "and we’re off to a good start this year."
