NEWCOMERSTOWN — Friday nights at the high school in late summer and early fall are packed with marching bands, rowdy fans, cheerleaders and, of course, football. But there’s so much more involved when it’s the 100th anniversary of all that stuff.
On August 26, the Newcomerstown community came together to celebrate 100 years of football in the community which includes undefeated seasons, All-Ohioans and of course Ohio’s own Mr. Football, Woody Hayes, who went from Newcomerstown High School to become the coach of the Ohio State University Buckeyes and multiple national championships. And, to cap off the night, the Trojan soccer team ended the night with a 54-0 victory over Beallsville.
Dave Osso of Newcomerstown, who has been the Trojans’ announcer for a number of years, said, “Anything that reaches a centennial is special, but when it comes to the history of America’s favorite sport in your own high school and, by extension, in your own hometown, then it becomes something extraordinary. The fact that Newcomerstown has kept its small town identity, colors and mascot at a time when many schools have been consolidated over the years made it an even bigger event than it was already going to be.”
Catherine “Cat” Marlatt, an NHS graduate and local estate agent, said: “What a night! If you were able to be here tonight, you know there was an air of excitement from the start of the game! We had an incredible turnout and it was wonderful to see so many coaches, players and cheerleaders meeting and catching up over the decades. We have deep football roots here in Newcomerstown and with tonight’s meeting of the past and present, as well as your exciting win… I think we have a very strong future too! Come on Trojans!”
Osso said: “Sport has always been a rallying cry to bring people together and you can tell there was a great camaraderie on the pitch and in the stands during the halftime ceremony. You could even feel the genuine excitement entering the stadium just from the number of cars in the parking lot and how the overflow parking lot was filling up, even though there were very few visiting team fans due to the distance. The crowd seemed to be saying, ‘This isn’t just another Trojan football season, it’s the 100th season!’”
Dave Mason from Newcomerstown and a former player who attended said: “It was a great experience! Former players from the 50s to 2022! Former trainers Ward Holdsworth, Jeff Cook, Craig Collins and Ron James! Former cheerleaders from 1974-2022! Former players traveled from as far away as Roswell, Georgia, to attend. Great camaraderie and great spirit from the veterans bringing Trojan mojo back to Lee Stadium!”
In his halftime remarks, Osso recalled perhaps the most famous player in Trojan football history, who had a four-year career with Black & Orange beginning in 1927, culminating his Trojan high school days by being named main captain of his team in 1930: just eight years after Trojan football began.
“No, he didn’t make All-Ohio, but he sure did put Newcomerstown on the map with his massive impact on football for Ohio State University,” Osso said. “Yes, long before he had the famous scarlet O on his hat, he wore an orange N on his college sweater. That’s right, Wayne Woodrow ‘Woody’ Hayes, was a Trojan football player and captain long before he became synonymous with the Buckeyes. And all Trojans, players and non-players alike, can be proud of it.
“However, tonight is not specifically about Woody Hayes. It’s about the hundreds, no, thousands of Trojans, cheerleaders, band members, and fans who came through the stadium gates over the last 100 years. As it happens, Woody was part of that fraternity, and long before he spread his influence, passion, wisdom, and yes, even compassion, to the rest of the college football world, he walked and lived the streets of Newcomerstown, learning about the life, football and trying to find his destiny. Let’s face it folks, it’s great to have someone like Woody Hayes as part of our Trojan fraternity.”
There was a family with three Trojan players in attendance with Mike Bricker, Troy Bricker and Lance Bricker in attendance.
Mike Bricker graduated in 1970 and played for Coach Ward Holdsworth.
“My favorite thing about playing at NHS was playing with friends and guys I grew up with,” he said. “My favorite game was the last game in the fall of 1968. My grandparents raised me. My grandfather had cancer. I went to visit him the Monday of the week of the game at the VA hospital in Cleveland. He told me that he would come home that Friday for the last game. We were undefeated at the time. Our opponent was Dennison St Mary’s. My grandfather passed away the Wednesday before the game and his funeral was the day of the last game. He kept his word to him and came home for the game. We won the game and stayed undefeated!
“The two people I really wanted to see were Coach Holdsworth and my friend Whit Parks. I’m 70 now, but I still have the same feelings inside of me that I had when I played for NHS. Oh how I would.” I love playing one more game for NHS!”
Troy Bricker graduated in 1992 and played for coach Craig Collins for several years.
“I enjoyed the time spent with my friends, being challenged by coaches and monkey rolls during practice,” he said. “My favorite memory was the match in which we played Malvern. Coach Collins gave us a speech about how he wanted to beat them, I don’t remember every word he said today, but I will never forget the passion he had when he spoke to us. We won that match and it was the best feeling.
“I enjoyed the 100th anniversary celebration. I loved it. I thought it was great to see both young and old attend and I hope they find a way to celebrate more often. I enjoyed seeing some old friends, but what I enjoyed most was seeing my brother Lance meet with Coach Jeff Cook and my dad Mike meet with Coach Holdsworth. To this day, I am still amazed at the positive impact both coaches have had on them.
“My hope would be that as the NHS moves forward they take the time to reflect on what the legacy of their sports was. For the coaches, whenever there are children present, train them as if they were all your star athletes, take care of them on and off the field, invest in the person and the player. To any student athlete, show up ready to work, believe in yourself and your coaches. The hardest thing for any coach is seeing the potential you have as an athlete but not being able to motivate yourself to apply yourself. Be coachable, study the game, invest in your teammates and one day when you look back, regardless of how many wins or losses you’ve had, what will matter is who was there fighting by your side day in and day out and the brotherhood to be part of. If you need to be reminded of this, just look at all the ‘oldies’ who showed up for this celebration, they still love the game and each other, as they should.”
Osso said, “Active and former players, cheerleaders, band members and of course fans of all ages were a part of something special during the game, even those who couldn’t be there or are no longer with us. Trojan Nation is alive and well and welcomes anyone who wants to cheer on the Black & Orange from any level. Once a Trojan, ALWAYS a TROJAN!
“You only have a hundred years, every 100 years,” laughed Osso, “so to be there and announce such a monumental occasion for Newcomerstown was a huge honor and a thrill. The victory scene around the Victory Bell was almost surreal. It was a great gesture on the part of athletic director Chad Elliot to call me right at the end of the game to invite the crowd to help ring the bell and sing the alma mater. I’m sure Woody and all the previous Trojan Nation members were milling around the stadium enjoying the moment and singing as if only 100 years of something special could make you sing! Even the impromptu celebration of the circle at the 50-yard line by many students right after the alma mater sang also showed how euphoric and lively the entire atmosphere was.
“Come on Trojans!”