HUBER HEIGHTS – Even though Wayne QB Braxton Miller wasn’t his scrambling self, the Warriors still defeated the Trotwood-Madison Rams 21-7 at Heidkamp Stadium Friday night.
Miller, who has verbally committed to Ohio State University, was not at his best. He completed 8 of his 20 passes for 135 yards and one score.
Miller also threw an interception to Rams DB Julius Ruby.
The Wayne QB didn’t attempt to scramble or run at any point in the game, only leaving the pocket when the pass rush necessitated it.
He said after the game that he felt better than the week prior and that he’d be back to his old self later in the year. But for right now, he said it wasn’t worth him running around given the pain in his ankle, because he doesn’t want to make it any worse.
Miller said he briefly thought about scrambling on a play when he rolled out near the sideline to avoid the pass rush, but chose not to.
“I was going to until my ankle said no,” Miller said with a smile. “I’ll just let my arm do the work.”
Early in the first quarter, Miller threw a 37-yard bomb to WR Armani Miller to give Wayne an early 7-0 lead.
“I think a lot of people think Braxton’s a running back playing quarterback,” Wayne coach Jay Minton said. “He’s proving right now that he’s a real quarterback.”
RB Anthone Taylor carried the ball 24 times for 158 yards and a score from four yards out.
“He has great balance, great determination, runs north-south real well,” Minton said. “You give him a few steps to get rolling and he’ll make a play.”
RB Seth Stuart also contributed a one-yard TD run for the Warriors.
Trotwood-Madison QB Marcus Graham completed only 8 of 33 passes for 72 yards, a score and one interception, hauled in by DB Jarrod Hardick.
Highly regarded Rams RB Antawn Gilbert caught Graham’s short TD pass and ran the ball 15 carries for 31 yards.
