In 1998, he took the reins as the starting quarterback for the perennial national power and led the Wildcats to the Division I state semifinals, where they lost to defending national champion and eventual state champion Canton McKinley High School.
In 1998, he assumed control as the starting quarterback for the consistent national powerhouse and guided the Wildcats to the Division I state semifinals, where they were defeated by the reigning national champion and eventual state champion Canton McKinley High School.