It’s been quite an autumn for the Groveport Madison High School football team and marching band and their efforts were formally recognized by the Groveport Madison Board of Education at its Nov. 14 meeting.
The football squad finished 8-4 and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since 1988 advancing to the second round. The band earned a superior rating in state competition as well as honors at the Thomas Worthington Preview of Champions.
Football Cruisers
"What a ride you have taken us all on this year," Groveport Madison Superintendent Scott McKenzie told the black and red jersey clad football Cruisers as they assembled at the board meeting. "You attained a pinnacle of pride that has long laid dormant in our football program."
The board approved a resolution honoring the team that noted head coach Tim Brown was named Central District Coach of the Year and the athletes who attained Central District honors including Kevin Castle on first team defense; Caleb Shepherd and B.J. Camden on second team defense; Justin Bell as special mention; and Jordan Elmore and Brandon King as honorable mention.
McKenzie noted the spirit and dedication of the team was exemplified in the final game of the year, a 16-3 playoff loss to Hilliard Darby. He said as the game wound down and the loss appeared inevitable, he heard a chant of "defense" rise from the players on the sideline as Hilliard Darby was attempting one final score. A sign that there was no quit in this team.
"The players fought hard and even though they were already beaten they had the resolve to deny Darby one last score," observed McKenzie.
Marching Cruisers
The board also approved a resolution honoring the marching band.
The band earned a superior rating at the state competition in Dublin on Nov. 2. In addition the band earned the following honors at the Thomas Worthington Preview of Champions on Oct. 24: color guard – second place; field commander Nicole Chiles – first place; percussion – first place; band – first place with an overall award of best music, best general effect, and grand champion.
"You made our district and community proud and displayed your talents all over central Ohio," said McKenzie to Band Director Sarah Brown and Assistant Director Patrick O’Donnell. "You (the band) are a perfect example of how hard work plus talent equals excellent performance."
