Trotwood-Madison will be Tri-Valley’s toughest test yet

November 30, 2017

David Carl Kinder II,

TROTWOOD, Ohio – Throughout their historic playoff run the Tri-Valley football team has faced some of the best competition in the state of Ohio. However, their toughest test – as you would expect – will be Saturday in the state title game when they play Trotwood-Madison.

The Rams have yet to lose a game this year. At 14-0 the Rams’ high powered offense has scored over 45 points in all of their games expect two. Much of their offense comes from running back Raveion Hargrove. The all-Ohio selection rushed for 1,680 yards and 24 touchdowns this year.

This is a Trotwood-Madision team who won the state title in 2011 and finds themselves in the championship game for the seventh time in school history.

They’re lead by former Buckeye wide receiver Jeff Graham. Graham was all-Big Ten for Ohio State in 1990 and spent 11 years in the NFL.

“We know what to expect. Last year it didn’t work out for us (falling to Archbishop Hoban in the state championship game). But our guys worked hard and took it one game at a time. Their goal was to get back and our seniors did a great job of leading us back,” said Graham.

The Rams first three playoff games presented them with little problems. They beat Toledo Central Catholic last Friday 16-7 to advance to the state title game. Trotwood-Madison played a tough regular season that included three teams that made the playoffs.

However, Coach Graham knows his team is up against a strong Tri-Valley team Saturday.

“Tri-Valley is a great traditional program. Their quarterback and running back are their two keys on offense. They have a great offensive line. They have a tall receiver (Jake McLoughlin) that’s going to Ashland to play basketball. And defensively they’re lead by their senior linebacker (Nathan Lawler) and a host of guy. Those guys on defense really rally to the ball and they make great stops,” said Graham.

Saturday’s DIII championship game will kickoff at 8 p.m. from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. You can hear live play-by-play on Z92 and Highway 103 Radio.