'It's personal' for Newark seniors in focus on fantastic finish
NEWARK ― As Deion Sanders works to revive Colorado's football program, Newark is taking his words to heart as the Wildcats try to do the same.
"He says 'it's personal,' and that's the way we're taking it," said senior running back-defensive back Tee Davie. "We did not have the start we wanted, but in these next five games, we can hang with these teams. Once we start putting a whole game together, we'll be fine."
Friday's game at Pickerington Central, a perennial powerhouse but an uncharacteristic 2-3, launches Newark (2-3) on a season-ending trek through the the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division, where Central Crossing, Groveport and Lancaster are also 2-3, and Reynoldsburg checks in at 0-5.
"We're playing so hard, our program has grown, and we're competing with all the teams on our schedule," coach Bill Franks said. "We're within an eyelash of having a couple of more wins (including the heartbreaking 36-35 overtime loss to Thomas Worthington). I'm proud of our commitment, and our coaches have been putting in a tremendous amount of time."
The Wildcats have players from all four classes lining up on the field, including three freshmen and 10 sophomores. Freshman defensive end Roy Price would like nothing better than to close on a strong note for the upperclassmen.
"Win our last five games and win the OCC. That's pretty much our goals," Price said. "Our seniors are leading us, and juniors like Austin Rose and K.K. Winbush are working to take on leadership. The coaches have been telling us to keep our heads up, and that's what we're doing right now. We're keeping that mindset and working as hard as we can, every day."
Newark is currently mired in a three-game losing skid and is coming off a 41-13 loss at Olentangy Orange, but has time to right the ship. Davie thinks he knows what it will take.
"Execution, and fundamentals," he said. "We have to make those tackles we missed last week. No deep balls. We can't have any more. Big plays have hurt us, and we have to shut those down."
Quarterback Steele Meister is having a breakout senior season, throwing for 818 yards and 12 touchdowns while also running for seven scores. Junior Drayson Peterson has six TD receptions and is averaging nearly 21 yards per catch.
Meister said the Wildcats need to have a short memory span and look towards the future.
"We want more," he said. "We wish we had those games back, but we have to put them in the rear view mirror. The biggest thing is, we have to attack every day as a group. It's going to take everyone we have, all the upperclassmen and the young guys, too."
Said Davie: "All year, the seniors have done a pretty good job of leading. We have a lot of young guys, but also, a lot of great talent. They're not scared of anyone."
Sophomores Alex Irvin-Royster and Gavin Jenkins are among Newark's leading tacklers.
Franks said the seniors have earned the right to end on a good note and leave their mark on the program's resurgence.
"From day one, they've taken their lumps and hung in there," he said. "I hope they'll be remembered as a group which helped us take steps back towards winning ways. They deserve to be remembered in this program."
Davie said the Wildcats want to raise the bar high.
"I've been playing football since the second grade, and I would take this team to war with anyone," he said. "I think we have a shot at Week 11, and to have a playoff game at home."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: 'It's personal' for Newark seniors in focus on fantastic finish
