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Athens High School football

Athens High School football team falls shy of state championship

By Andy Kovar | Dec. 5, 2014

COLUMBUS — Trae Williams had a chance to seal the game for the second straight week, this time to clinch a Division III State Championship.But unlike in last week’s semifinal against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Williams was unable to pull in a game-ending interception that fell softly to the ground in the north end zone of Ohio Stadium. On the next play, Toledo Central Catholic quarterback Marcus Winters ran it in from the 8-yard line with 15 seconds remaining to secure a 56-52 lead that ended up being Thursday’s final score.Williams, a senior running back and Ohio commit, scored his second touchdown with 2:52 left on the clock to give Athens a 52-49 lead. The teams went back-and-forth throughout the game, but it seemed then as if the Bulldogs had landed the final blow of the night.But Central Catholic converted on its final drive, and the Athens players were left to watch silently from the sideline as Central Catholic celebrated its third state title in the past 10 years.“There hasn’t been a state title game at The Shoe in 25 years, but us and Athens made up for that tonight,” Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey said. “I don’t think you could see a more exciting football game.”On Athens’ first play from offense, senior quarterback Joe Burrow eluded multiple defenders in the backfield to scamper for a 49-yard run to set up Williams, who finished the drive with a rushing touchdown from one yard out. In his final game in a Bulldogs uniform, Burrow put on a show. His six touchdown passes and 446 yards are new Division III state championship game records. He also received Ohio Mr. Football honors on Wednesday.Sitting crouched over during the postgame news conference, Burrow had a blank stare on his face as he recalled his only memory of the game.“Nothing matters except that loss,” Burrow said. “We put in all the hard work to get here, just didn’t end up making enough plays at the end.”Burrow tossed an interception — just his second of the season — that he said will resonate for him for a while.“I think it’s easily the worst feeling in the world,” Burrow said. “Worst day of my life, not much more to be said.”For every Bulldogs touchdown, the Fighting Irish had an answer — and they preferred to score on the ground instead of through the air. Central Catholic wore Athens (14-1) away between the tackles, but its big plays came when the Fighting Irish got their playmakers to the outside.“Both teams kept throwing right hooks at each other back and forth,” Athens coach Ryan Adams said. “Defensively, I think we were really struggling at times containing the perimeter, and they were having trouble containing our passing game.”Central Catholic (13-2) didn’t need to throw the ball to hang with Burrow and Athens. The Fighting Irish were one yard short of tying the state championship record for rushing yards in a game. The Fighting Irish had 501 yards on the ground with each member of their backfield trio each finishing with more 100 yards individually.This year’s playoff run was the furthest the Bulldogs had ever gone in the postseason. Adams gave credit for the team’s success to its senior class. “The effort that these kids have given while they have been here, we have seen the progress along the way,” Adams said. “This year we lined up and we totally looked like we belonged, and that’s a tribute to the hard work and effort that these kids have put in.”@KOVARANDREWAK840611@ohio.edu

Christmas in Athens

Athens begins to celebrate holiday season

By Rachel Hartwick | Dec. 5, 2014

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, or at least that’s what light-decorated speakers were playing when the Athens Uptown Business Association kicked off the annual “Home for the Holidays” Tree Lighting.Businesses opened their doors to Athens community members Thursday evening to celebrate the start of the holiday season. The event was funded by the Chamber of Commerce.At 6 p.m., Santa himself climbed out of an Athens fire truck on the corner of Court Street and West Washington Street and made his way to his seat inside 5 N. Court St., where children lined up to take pictures with him.“It’s always nice when Athens puts together something to include the whole family,” said Mary Marvell, who stood in line with her 4-year-old daughter to talk to Santa.After getting their picture, Marvell and her daughter made their way down the street, where children were welcomed onto John Hutchison’s horse-drawn carriage. Hutchinson, a retired school teacher, held the reins for a ride around the block.Hutchison, owner of Hutchison Horsedrawn Wagon & Carriage Service LLC, said the AUBA had been a valuable partner to him in the past when a fire burned down his two barns a few years ago. He lost three of his horses, his wagons and “basically everything horse-related.”“See those sleigh bells you hear?” Hutchison said as he beckoned to his two sleigh bell-decorated Percheron horses, Dick and Bell, who also had Santa hats perched on tops of their heads. “They were a gift from my friends at AUBA. They sent them to me after the fire. And it makes me feel like tearing up just thinking about it — kids would send me 50 cents in an envelope and say they wanted to help me get more horses.”Wendy Jakmas, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said she hoped that the event motivated people to do winter shopping in the Uptown businesses.“It’s a huge collaborative effort and we’re so appreciative of our businesses,” she said. “Our hope is that we can provide nice wholesome family entertainment and in return, people will patronize our businesses. It’s a win-win.”In addition to being able to get their faces painted at Mountain Laurel Gifts, children could have a free-for-all with sprinkles and decorate cookies at Brenen’s Coffee Cafe.“I think sometimes Uptown gets a stigma that it’s all just for the college students,” said Josh Thomas, co-owner of Brenen’s. “It’s a way to bring the community back Uptown for a night.”Dawn Worley-Sims, project manager for Chamber of Commerce, said the event not only gives Athens residents a reason to come Uptown, but also helps college students feel more comfortable in their city.“We’re really glad that the students are here to really enjoy it too,” she said. “When college students are away from home, we want this to feel like home.” @RACHEL_HARTWICKRH375113@ohio.edu

Adam Wonderly

AFC North Nation: Bengals pull it together in the second half against the Buccaneers

By Adam Wondrely | Dec. 5, 2014

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had an abysmal first half last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are sporting one of the league’s worst records (2-10 after loss to Cincinnati). Dalton threw three interceptions in the first half, and a couple of them were blatant reads that he just missed. He threw one ball into double coverage that could’ve made even unknowledgeable football fans ask themselves, “Why would you make that throw?”

The Post

Letter: City Council’s chewing tobacco ban illogical

Dec. 5, 2014

To the Editor, Yes, I suppose making someone swallow their chewing tobacco might discourage the habit. But I have never heard of any problems resulting from second-hand smoke from chewing tobacco.So if someone chews a wad and doesn’t spit it out on the sidewalk, but wads it up and throws it in a trash can in the park, I’m not sure why Athens City Council cares. I’m looking forward to someone showing whether it was the chewing tobacco or the chewing gum someone just tossed in the trash can.Kelley Walker is a 1980 Ohio University alumna and a resident of Niles, Ohio.

The Post

Editorial: Relax and enjoy OU’s Winter Break, Bobcats

Dec. 5, 2014

We hope you Bobcats, as we will, take our Winter Break as time to recharge, get some sleep and eat something other than microwavable meals. In this holiday season, remember those important to you and give to those in need. Spend time with loved ones and relax. Catch up on Netflix or read that book collecting dust on your shelf. However you spend these next few weeks, we wish you love, happiness and a wonderful holiday season. See you in 2015.Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.

The Post

Summary of the crime from this semester

By Emma Ockerman | Dec. 5, 2014

After this semester, officials with the Athens Police Department said they’re not too worried about Ohio University’s once-renowned party reputation. In fact, APD Chief Tom Pyle doesn’t see it as a major concern. This semester, he said, burglaries were the department’s main focus.Lt. Tim Ryan, OUPD’s head of criminal investigations, said crime rates remained consistent in terms of a year-to-year basis.Burglaries, Thefts There were three incident reports for burglaries since Aug. 22 that resulted in investigation or arrest, with 29 additional reports for theft, said Lauren Schneider, APD records clerk.In the days following the Athens Halloween Block Party, Pyle said the department received about six calls reporting a burglary — all tied to one offender. “The burglaries that we’ve had this entire year have been troubling and seem to be getting worse,” Pyle said. The number of incident reports for burglaries from January to October nearly doubled compared to years past, The Post previously reported. OUPD saw six burglaries on campus during Fall Semester — four of which were reported from Jefferson Hall. The department also received 56 theft reports.OUPD received 10 burglary reports last Spring Semester.Nuisance party and noise violationsThis fall, APD received 32 dispatch calls complaining of a too-rowdy party under the city’s nuisance party ordinance. Pyle said the department typically lets partygoers off with a warning, unless they’re argumentative with officers or continue to be belligerent. Calls for noise violations streamed into dispatch at a much higher rate — 255 alone from Aug. 22 to December. “I have a sense that nuisance enforcement will be up and noise enforcement will continue to be down,” Pyle said.  Alcohol violationsOU’s party reputation isn’t dead, Pyle said, it’s just weakening. Since Aug. 22, the Athens Police Department has filed 74 incident reports for underage consumption — typically resulting in a citation. During Fall Semester of 2013, according to a previous Post report, APD handed out 150 citations. “For the sake of everybody, I think it’s a good thing,” Pyle said. “We can still party, and have a reputation for partying, but we don’t have to be number one.”OUPD saw 85 alcohol-related reports, about 29 percent of which were labeled as underage consumption. Assault and RapeAccording to APD records, there have been no incident reports resulting in citation or arrest for sexual assault and aggravated assault since Aug. 22. Ten incidents of rape were reported to APD during Fall Semester of 2013, a previous Post report said — most in October of that year.Eleven rapes were reported to APD in 2013 in all, according to the department’s annual report.On campus, three rapes were reported to OUPD during Fall Semester. The most recent report was recorded on Nov. 25, when a woman said she was raped in Shively Hall by a “known assailant” three years ago. RobberiesOUPD received two robbery reports this semester — one of which was a false report that spurred a crime alert. The false claimant, 19-year-old Karsten Vuillemot, of Mansfield, was found guilty in the Athens Municipal Court in September of making a false alarm. Police received another notable report on Nov. 17 about an aggravated robbery on South Green. A man was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint by three men on the north side of Pickering Hall. The victim said the assailants took $100 and his room keys.Two days later, police determined that William Johnson and Thaddeus Basham were involved in the robbery. Drug Violations OUPD received 79 drug-related reports — 56 of which were reported happening in residence halls. Aside from court fines and punishments, OU also imposes sanctions or disciplinary actions on students who receive drug violations.Sanctions for first time offenders who possess or use marijuana include six to nine months of disciplinary probation and a $200 charge to their student accounts, among other sanctions.Students who have another marijuana violation while on probation face a minimum one-month suspension.Ryan said the number of marijuana-related reports this Fall Semester were roughly the same number as the previous Fall Semester. He said OUPD received 60 marijuana-related reports compared to the 68 the department received in the Fall Semester of 2013.@JOSHUALIM93JL951613@ohio.edu@eockermanEO300813@ohio.edu

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