Has separated from Centerville, surging to the top of area Division I programs and establishing itself as a state power. Since coach Jay Minton arrived from Boca Raton, Florida, in 1999, the Warriors have played in four D-I state championships in 1999, 2010, ’14 and ’15.
»RELATED: Wayne football lands on ESPN in season opener
Friday night football is a hot ticket at Heidkamp Stadium. Warning: ear plugs are recommended for the many loud canon shots after Wayne touchdowns.
Here’s who we consider the all-time seven best football players at Wayne High School. Have something to say about this alphabetical list? Email your comments to sports@coxohio.com.
»WAYNE BOYS HOOP: Former UD assistant succeeds Trice as coach
Location: Huber Heights.
Affiliation: Greater Western Ohio Conference, National East Division.
Stadium: Good Samaritan Field at Heidkamp Stadium.
Division: D-I, Region 3.
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1. Will Allen, DB, 2000 grad: OSU All-American; two key plays during 2002 national championship season were INT that secured 14-9 defeat of Michigan and a tackle that caused Miami RB Willis McGahee to suffer a blown left knee in Fiesta Bowl title game. Senior transfer from Trotwood-Madison, played on Wayne's first of four D-I state title games, a loss to Cleveland St. Ignatius. Eleven-year NFL career ended in 2015.
»SIDNEY FOOTBALL: Verbal commits to Northwestern, Toledo
2. Arnie Jones, FB/DT, 1971: One of five OSU captains in 1974 during the Archie Griffin era. Played for Moe Ankney with the Warriors. Ankney went on to be the head coach at BGSU.
3. Mike Mickens, DB, 2004: All-American at Cincinnati, ended Bearcats career as all-time leader in INTs (14) and INT return yards (296). D-I state 300 hurdles champ as a junior. In his third season as assistant coach at BGSU.
»DUNBAR FOOTBALL: Verbal commit to Oklahoma
4. Braxton Miller, QB, 2016: Among the most celebrated QBs in OSU history, which is saying a lot. Led Warriors to a D-I state title game as a senior in 2010, a loss to Lakewood St. Edward. Switched to WR as a Buckeyes senior following a series of injuries. Entering second season with the Houston Texans.
5. Roosevelt Mukes, WR, 1985: Ranks among Cincinnati's top 10 all-time receivers in catches and TDs. Longtime Warriors assistant coach. Huber Heights school district administrator.
6. Robert Redd, WR/CB/KR, 1998: Totaled 152 career catches for 2,007 and 27 TDs at Wayne. Among all-time career stat leaders at BGSU, where he followed his uncles Ronnie and Raymond Redd. Had long indoor arena football career.
7. Torrence Wilson, RB, 1995: The youngest and the best of the outstanding Wilson siblings, which included Terry, Tommy and Demetrius. Then-Warriors coach Mike Schneider insists Torrence is the best player he ever coached, which spans 40-plus seasons. Key member of 1995 D-I state track title team.
Honorable mention: Jermaine Daniels, DT, 1991 grad; Eric Dixon, RB, 1988; Alex Earley, QB, 2006; Marcus Freeman, FB/LB, 2004; brothers Vince, RB, 1977, and Victor, DB, 1978, Heflin; Reggie Johnson, QB, 1995; Ronnie Redd, WR/DB, 1990; Raymond Redd, WR/DB, 1990; Greg Shackelford, LB, 1985; D'Mitrik Trice, QB; Larry Turner, OL, 2000; Jerel Worthy, DT, 2009.
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