Wyoming senior running back CJ Hester can almost taste the rainbow and a state title

WYOMING, Ohio — Wyoming senior working again CJ Hester plans to eat a package deal of Skittles and drink a lemon-lime Gatorade earlier than Saturday’s state championship recreation in Canton.

In any case, it is change into a convention this postseason for the Ohio Mr. Soccer finalist. In 2021, Hester’s pregame locker room snack consisted of a blue Gatorade and a Equipment Kat.

“I modified it up a bit of bit; I have never informed you guys,” Hester mentioned with a smile earlier than Tuesday’s apply. “I rock with the Skittles now. It has been working. The yards have been bettering. It is only a new factor now I suppose.”

Why change something at this level for the undefeated Cowboys (15-0) who play Cleveland Glenville (14-0) within the Division IV state remaining Saturday (7:30 p.m. kickoff) at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium in Canton. It’s the remaining contest of seven state championship video games this weekend.

Glenville, which options a number of gamers with main school scholarship presents together with senior linebacker Arvell Reese (Ohio State verbal commit), was ranked No. 1 within the season’s remaining Related Press Division IV state ballot, whereas Wyoming was No. 2.

“They’re simply a particularly gifted crew throughout the board,” Wyoming coach Aaron Hancock mentioned. “They’re well-coached. They’re an excellent soccer crew. And it is going to be a battle.”

Wyoming is making its fourth state remaining look with its most up-to-date state title in 2018 because the Division IV state champion. Wyoming additionally gained a Class AA state title in 1977 and was a Class AA state runner-up in 1975.

This season has been a particular journey for the Cowboys, who certified for his or her tenth consecutive postseason. Wyoming has gained 67 consecutive regular-season video games, essentially the most in any division in Ohio.

“The children are simply centered people; pushed,” Hancock mentioned. “In fact this has all the time been their objective to get to the state championship recreation and to win a state championship. However, every week they hit the reset button, centered 100% on our opponent for that week and actually went out and carried out.”

Hester, who’s verbally dedicated to Western Michigan, continues to rise to the event for the Cowboys, who’ve outscored opponents 560-55 by means of 15 weeks. He scored three touchdowns within the Cowboys’ 32-20 win over Steubenville in a state semifinal final week.

Hester has rushed for 3,074 yards and 48 touchdowns this season. He’s No. 14 on the Ohio Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation’s profession record with 7,079 yards dashing.

Regardless of all of the statistics, Hester and his teammates merely need the last word prize: A state championship.

“I am decided,” Hester mentioned. “On the finish of the day that is the entire objective. We have been speaking about this since we have been freshmen like, ‘We will win one.’ And now we’re right here now let’s go get it. It isn’t going to be straightforward however we bought to go get it.”

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