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Purple reigns at Middie pep rally

Community supports Middies during pep rally

Paige Merritt, a Middletown High School senior cheerleader, paints sophomore Kanae Cherry’s face purple during a pep rally at Paul Walker Gym on Thursday, Nov. 5, for the upcoming playoff football game Saturday.

Staff photo by Pat Auckerman Paige Merritt, a Middletown High School senior cheerleader, paints sophomore Kanae Cherry’s face purple during a pep rally at Paul Walker Gym on Thursday, Nov. 5, for the upcoming playoff football game Saturday.

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By Rick McCrabb, Columnist Updated 1:27 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown police Chief Greg Schwarber, who has dedicated his life to law enforcement, probably is used to the reception.

But Thursday, Nov. 5, in front of a rowdy crowd at Paul Walker Gym in Middletown High School, the students didn’t boo his profession.

Just his pedigree.

Thirty-seven years ago — 20 years before most of the students were born — Schwarber graduated from Moeller High School. He was as welcome at the Middie pep assembly as a Michigan Wolverine in Ohio Stadium.

“Sure,” Schwarber said when asked if he expected to be booed.

Then the students cheered as Schwarber — along with teachers, coaches and two MHS students — were covered with purple paint during a community pep rally for the football team that’s facing Cincinnati Moeller at 7 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Division I playoffs at Lockland Stadium, the Crusaders’ home field.

“After the great season the team has had, and all their hard work,” Schwarber said, “this is the least I can do. I’m all about community.”

Then he cracked a smile. “I bleed purple.” His face, neck and the top of his head were painted by Middletown police Officer Phil Salm, who, if the purple doesn’t wash out, probably will be working traffic duty Saturday night.

It’s been 19 years since the Middies qualified for the football playoffs.

“It’s a great day to be a Middie,” Athletic Director Gary Lebo screamed into the microphone.

The Rev. Greg Tyus, school board president, thanked the community for its support of the team and told the players: “You can beat Moeller.”

The Middies are 1-5 against the Crusaders, the lone win coming in 1990.

Principal Dennis Newell said he received a purple Middie sweatshirt before those playoffs, and the sweatshirt — now filled with holes — is stuffed in a drawer. He told the players “to finish this thing off.”

Marks Kerns, a teacher and organizer of the pep assembly, encouraged Middie fans to show their spirit “every down until Moeller is defeated.”

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i tooooooooo am so proud of the middies!!!and lets not forget kyle schwarber,aaron lewis,john maya,sandin fingers,sam current,jessie dietz,eric redding,victor eagle,the davis brothers and many many more if someone else could mention them toooooo thank u o yea and nick mcknight and must i metion a few of the boys hold records in the gmcs which would b caleb watkins,aaron lewis,nick mcknight,j,burg and boo boo gates!!!!!!!!!!GO MIDDIES U CAN BEAT MOELLAR!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE U GUYS!!

middiemom
3:56 PM, 11/6/2009

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I also am soooooo proud of our guys! They have played one heck of a season and I am so Happy for them as I have a junior daughter there and she loves the middies too......I hope they knock the crap outta Moeller! Stay focused and GO GET EM BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Middie Mom of a junior!
4:05 AM, 11/6/2009

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I am so proud of the Middies. Not just Antonio, but JJ, Boo Boo, Kevin, Nick, Caleb, Ryan, Jeremiah and Raschad plus so many others. You kids have brought the Middie spirit back to Middie City. GO BEAT MOELLER!!

another middie fan
12:07 AM, 11/6/2009

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Congrats to the Middies for going to playoffs! Beat Moeller!!! Antonio get out there and make your mom and dad even more proud than they are now! The Robinson's are sure proud of you too!!!

middiefan
10:46 PM, 11/5/2009

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