The Wyoming High School football team advanced to the Division IV state finals
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The Wyoming high school football team is going to Canton. The Cowboys rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Steubenville 32-20 Saturday night in a Division IV state semifinal at historic Crew Stadium in Columbus. Wyoming (15-0) advances to play Cleveland Glenville (14-0) in the Division IV state final at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
Wyoming is making its fourth state final appearance, with the most recent state title coming in 2018 as the Division IV state champion. Wyoming also won a Class AA state title in 1977 and was the Class AA state runner-up in 1975.
Senior running back CJ Hester, an Ohio Mr. Football finalist, scored two rushing touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Quaid Hauer to help the Cowboys to their 15th straight win this season.
The Cowboys took advantage of a late turnover for a dramatic rally in the fourth quarter. Steubenville led 20-19 with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter and was driving into Wyoming territory for another potential score when the Big Red fumbled and the Cowboys recovered. Wyoming drove down the field, and Hester ran for a touchdown to lead the Cowboys.
Then, Wyoming junior DJ Gray's pick-six gave the Cowboys a 32-20 lead with less than a minute left. Hester's interception on the next drive sealed the game for the Cowboys.
Hester has verbally agreed to go to Western Michigan. This season, he ran for 48 touchdowns, which is the fifth-most in Ohio High School Athletic Association history for a single season. Hester is part of a senior class that is 50-3 in their careers. Now, the Cowboys have a chance to add to the program's storied legacy next weekend in Canton.
Wyoming, which has the No. 1 all-time winning percentage in Ohio high school football history, is making its 28th playoff appearance, including its 10th straight postseason.
Cleveland beat Glenville Jefferson Area 52-7 in the other state semifinal Saturday night. Cleveland Glenville was ranked No. 1 and Wyoming No. 2 in the final Associated Press state poll of the season.
