Raiders’ Cree leads TD Club standings
Waynesburg Central High School quarterback/running back Troy Cree had some big shoes to fill once he put on the No. 3 jersey for the Raiders. His older brothers Scott and Bryce wore that same number.
Bryce, the oldest Cree, was a standout for the Raiders both in the backfield and in the secondary during Waynesburg’s run to the 1999 WPIAL Class AA title.
Scott, who graduated from WCHS in 2004, the middle brother of the three, was a speedy receiver and cornerback for the Raiders during their most recent trip to the playoffs in 2003.
Since joining the varsity, Troy, a senior, hasn’t enjoyed the team success that his two older brothers did during their time wearing the Red and Black.
However, when he does hang up his pads for the last time at the high school level, he may be remembered as having the biggest individual offensive impact.
This year, Cree has put together a breakout season, rushing for 980 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those outstanding numbers have not only garnered the 6-1, 190-pounder well deserved attention, but it has also vaulted him to the top of the Herald-Standard Touchdown Club standings.
The club, which includes 16 high schools in the Herald-Standard circulation area, is in its second year of existence and was won last year by another Greene County player, Mapletown running back Ryan Geisel, who is a freshman at Waynesburg College.
Cree has been the focal point of the Raiders’ attack both as a quarterback and a running back. Raiders coach Dave Sarra knew going into the season that the senior was going to play a big role for his team and so far he hasn’t been disappointed.
“We knew going into the season that he was going to carry the ball a great deal for us in the run game,” Sarra said. “He has big play capabilities and is tough to bring down. His motor’s running. He has some things you can’t teach.”
After week seven of the season, Cree has compiled 90 points thanks to his 15 rushing scores. Jefferson-Morgan running back Justin Falcon is in second place with 62 points, followed by Frazier’s Jim Traynor, Albert Gallatin’s Nate Turner and California’s Donte Valentino with 54 points each.
Cree and Valentino led last week’s scoring with four touchdowns apiece, while Falcon crossed the goal line three times.
Cree, who has also thrown for 453 yards and four touchdowns, was a little surprised to hear how well he was doing, admitting that he hopes that his individual effort will shine some light on his teammates.
“I think it means a lot just because we’re an underrated team,” Cree said. “I just want to do what I have to, to help our team win and that means a lot.”
Currently, Waynesburg is on the outside looking in for the postseason. The Interstate Conference, in which the Raiders play, houses three of the best AA teams in the WPIAL in Yough, Jeannette and the top team in the state, Greensburg Central Catholic.
This week the Raiders will travel to Greensburg to battle the Centurions and are huge underdogs. However, Cree knows that football is a funny game and anything can happen, and a win would be a memorable one for him and his teammates.
“I think it would be the biggest thing anyone’s been a part of in sports,” Cree said. “Most of the guys on this team have played together since we were kids and it would be big to beat a team no one thinks you could beat.”
While the Centurions are obviously tops on Cree’s priority list this week, his long-term goal is to play at the highest level of college football. However, while most local standouts strive to play for a local Division I school like Pitt or WVU, Cree has his attention set a little further south.
“I’ve always dreamed of going Division I, but for some reason for the past year or so I’ve decided I’d like to go to Memphis,” Cree said.
Sarra has recently sent a highlight tape to the Tigers and head coach Tommy West, and is awaiting a response.
So, while Cree tries to play his team into the playoffs and himself into a Tigers jersey, he’s well on his way to claiming the Touchdown Club plaque for 2006.
“Around here, a lot of the athletes don’t get as many looks as those at bigger schools,” Cree said. “I think it says a lot about how seriously we take sports around here.”