Andrew P. Groll

Point of Sorrow: Ayersville Pilots Football from the Playground to Playing in the Ohio High School State Championship Andrew P. Groll

One point can separate winners from losers. From the miracle victory over Mogadore in the Ohio Division V State Semifinals to the heartbreaking loss against Newark Catholic in the Ohio Division V State Championship Game, the 1986 Ayersville Pilot High School football team was on the giving and receiving end of this slimmest of margins, one point. The virtually unknown Ayersville team came out of nowhere to post a 10-0 regular season record and make the playoffs for the first time in school history. The entire community followed along as they made their way to the pinnacle of high school football, The State Championships.

A play-by-play account of the final regular season game against an undefeated Edgerton team and the additional four playoff games will put the reader right in the middle of the action. Witness the exciting miracle victory over Mogadore, and the turning events of the State Championship game played at The Ohio State University's Horseshoe Stadium. In all of the different sporting events, there is nothing worse than a loss by the slimmest of margins. In the true competitive nature of athletics, it will always be the Point of Sorrow.