MORGANTOWN — A bad cut during a preseason game in Pittsburgh nearly ended Cody Calvert’s senior season before it even got started.
He knew right away something was wrong, but didn’t know it was a torn ACL until a visit to the doctor. A knee injury is the worst case scenario for most athletes, but Calvert wasn’t going to let it ruin his final season at Morgantown High.
Though he missed the first four weeks of the season, Calvert played with a brace on his left leg when he returned, opting to postpone surgery until after the high school season for one reason. Two years ago, the Mohigans finished with a losing record, but air was breathed into the program a year ago when MHS reached the state semifinals before ultimately losing to George Washington.
A week later, the state championship game was held on MHS’s home field, where rival University claimed the title.
Calvert wants to get past that point.
“It was my senior season and my teammates and I had been through the ups and downs our team had faced over our four years,” he said. “I wanted to be there to see our state championship run finally be set in place.”
That goal is nearing a reality as the Mohigans (13-3) enter today’s state semifinals at Spring Mills (9-5) after pulling a major upset over top-seeded Berkeley County on Wednesday. The opening faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
After knowing the disappointment of a semifinals lost from a year ago, Calvert wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again. “Losing in the semifinals and watching the championship on our home field gave us all a fire we have carried all season,” he said. “It would mean a lot to finally get there this year.”
This will be the second meeting this year between the Mohigans and Cardinals, the first being the season-opener March 16 at MHS, an 11-9 Mohigans win.
Calvert didn’t play in that one since it was just a week after his injury, but he knows Spring Mills is always a tough out, especially on its home field. The Cardinals knocked off defending champions UHS 11-8 on Thursday.
“They have always given us a hard game, but as long as we play with intensity, I believe we have a good chance,” Calvert said.
Calvert, who signed with Mount Union (Ohio) on April 17, scored 19 goals and recorded 16 assists in 12 games this season. Teammate Nate Goldcamp has a team-leading 52 goals, while Ethan Host has 23. Goalkeeper Hank Herald saved 52% (114-221) of shots on goal.
For Spring Mills, Luke Campbell has 56 goals to lead the team, while Garrett Grimes has 30. Goalie Joshua Wolford saved 56% (130-234) of shots on goal.
The winner will face the winner of the Wheeling Park/Wheeling Central game for the state championship May 18 in Dunbar.
