TRAVERSE CITY -- As time expired in Friday's Crosstown Showdown at Thirlby Field, Traverse City Central's students stormed the field to celebrate the Trojans' 21-14 win over TC West, and first win over the Titans since 2005.
Leading the charge onto the field was Trojans coach Tom Passinault.
When Ray Gidley tackled Titans quarterback John Purdy on the 2-yard line on the final play, Passinault lept from the sideline and went running -- arms extended to the sky -- to the middle of the field.
"You put so much work into it all week," Passinault said. "The thing that was running through my head was for the kids, how many ups and downs they've had this year. This is just a great feeling. It was great excitement."
Passinault, his team and the Trojan fans celebrated at midfield after receiving the Nowak-Olson trophy.
At the West end-zone, the Titans quietly gathered for a brief moment with the coaching staff. Then, they joined their supporters and did their traditional post-game "family" cheer.
WHATS NEXT: TC West heads to the post-season with a 6-3 record. The Titans had clinched a berth last week with a 29-12 win at Alpena.
"We just need to settle back down and get ready for the playoffs," West's Shane Totten said. "Whoever we get, we'll definitely give them a run."
"It hurts us," Titans tailback Jon Flynn said. "It shoots down our momentum. It's not a good thing. We need to work on starting stronger, playing smash-mouth football and playing our game."
"Now we have to overcome the adversity and pick up the pieces and move on," West head coach Tim Wooer said. "Our program needs to understand that next week is realistically bigger than this week. This week doesn't take you to Ford Field."
The Trojans are on the outside looking in at 5-4, but could still get in based on playoff points. The win against the playoff-bound Titans will help, as will a 32-31 win over Bay City Western. It was the only loss for the Warriors this year.
"Right now, we don't want to get our hopes up," Central fullback Alex Fancy said. "We're sitting here on stand-by until Sunday. We're ready to get back to practice or turn in our equipment."
The selection show will air at 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox Sports Detroit.
NOSE FOR THE BALL: TC West's Brad Gillison doesn't usually hear his name a lot over the loudspeaker at Thirlby Field.
The starting defensive tackle is a key cog in West's defense, but aside from an interception off a deflection that set up a Titans touchdown drive earlier this year it's usually in a fairly anonymous role.
Friday was very different.
Gillison, also a standout wrestler, stepped up with an 11-tackle performance, including two for losses.
"If you hustle and are disciplined, you'll make tackles," the senior said.
Gillison said he hopes Traverse City gets two teams into the playoffs.
"I hope the best for them and hope they make the playoffs," Gillison said. "We just have to shake this off and move on to the playoffs."
GOING OUT ON TOP: TC Central had its ups and downs this season, but the Trojans put everything together in the final week for the win over the Titans.
"We knew we could beat them and we knew we could be a good team," senior lineman Jake Carra said. "We've just been inconsistent at times. But tonight, we put it all together."
"This one was for all the marbles," senior linebacker Cam Hodges said. "It means so much to the seniors and feels great."
EXTRA POINTS: West was whistled for eight penalties for 74 yards, while Central had three for 22 yards. Nine of the 11 total penalties came in the second half. ... Thirlby Field is normally torn up quite a bit by the end of the year, and Friday's rain didn't help matters. Nor did the two horses that carried Trojan mascots up and down the field, leaving several divots in the turf. ... Central's captains for the game were Cam Hodges, Kyle McLachlan, Max Walker, Matt Shepler and Nick Roen. West's were Doug Bonnell, John Purdy, Jon Flynn and Gillison.
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