H.S. Football Playoffs: Avon's run game gets healthy, leads way in win over Wadsworth

WADSWORTH — Health can be just as important as talent in the postseason.Luckily for Avon, its running game is returning to full strength at just the right time. After not having a running back rush for more than 363 yards through its first 10 games and having its top two backs — seniors Quiante' Smith and Cam Wendell — miss the second half of the regular season with serious injuries, the Eagles finally have all of the pieces in place. Avon showed what the finished puzzle looked like Friday when it ran for 251 yards — Smith led the way with 17 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns — in a 42-21 Division II, Regional 6 semifinal win over Wadsworth at Art Wright Stadium. Smith, who feared a foot sprain and bone bruise suffered in Week 5 would be season-ending, scored two second-quarter touchdowns against the Grizzles and has five touchdowns in two postseason games since returning after Avon's Week 11 bye. "It feels really great to be back with my teammates," Smith said. "When I got hurt I was told my season might be over. I prayed every day and I finally got the news that I could be back sooner than expected and I took the time I was off to get stronger and bigger."Wendell had also been out since Week 5, when he suffered a cracked fibula. He carried the ball eight times Friday for 48 yards and a touchdown. "It means a lot to be back and be healthy," Wendell said. "When it happened I didn't know if I would be back to finish my senior year. It's a blessing to be back out here. I've grown a lot since I got injured. After watching my teammates play without me, it means so much to be back and playing with them."Throughout his career Smith has been known for his speed and ability to change direction and make defenders miss, while Wendell is viewed more as a power back who can get the tough yards in short-yardage situations. When healthy they provide the one-two punch the 11-1 Eagles need to have a chance to defend their state championship. "We have a lethal offense," Wendell said. "Quiante' is my guy, it means so much to be back playing with him. We both bring something different to the table. Me and Quiante' are ready. We can carry the load."Having healthy running backs allowed coach Mike Elder to take full advantage of a his ground game to keep the potent Wadsworth offense, which came into the game averaging 45.8 points, off the field. "Coming into this game we thought the strength of Wadsworth was its skill guys. We thought that physicality would be our advantage, so we lined up in some heavy sets and leaned on those guys," Elder said. "We could have lined up and tried to throw the ball every play but we thought our advantage was in the trenches, that's what the game plan was and that's what we did."Avon may need to rely on Smith and Wendell to carry the load once again next Friday when it faces an undefeated Highland team that is only allowing opponents an average of five points a game. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.