COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio — For the second straight year Columbia closed the regular season on a four-game winning streak.
The difference this time is it carries over into the OHSAA football playoffs, which happened Saturday with the Raiders' 47-7 win against Black River.
That winning streak is now at five, and it takes them to Mogadore next week for a second-round playoff game in the Division VI, Region 21 bracket. In Mogadore (4-1), they face a team that not only makes the playoffs on a consistent basis but wins once there.
The Wildcats have made 22 straight playoff appearances, which includes a state championship, three trips to the OHSAA finals and seven regional crowns in that stretch. Columbia (5-2) is now coming off its just second playoff victory in program history.
“I think it shows the maturity and progression of our program,” coach Jason Ward said. “We were hoping that last year in terms of our program … if we go 4-6, let’s make that the floor.”
Columbia has made eight playoff appearances in Ward’s 15 seasons since being hired from North Ridgeville, where he previously served as a coordinator. Before his arrival, the Raiders had just two playoff appearances in their school’s history.
They finished 4-6 last year after an 0-6 start with a mostly new roster. However, all of the juniors, sophomores and freshmen who started last year are back.
“We learned a lot about ourselves,” senior running back Joe Governale said. “We knew what our weaknesses were, what we could do and what we couldn’t.”
Governale earned All-Ohio honors in his first full season replacing Brandon Coleman, who is now at Kent State. Governale rushed for 1,509 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He had 127 yards and three TDs on Saturday vs. Black River.
Now-sophomore linebacker Hayden Garrow (second team) and now-junior cornerback Owen Menge (third team) also made the All-Ohio teams in 2019. Both maintained the big-play ability that earned those honors with Garrow repeatedly meeting Black River runners at the line of scrimmage.
“With this group, I think we built a bond,” Garrow said. “The trust we have to do our one of 11 can make our defense one of the best we’ve had here.”
Menge worked double duty Saturday on defense and offense, where he scored once and gained 72 total yards on seven touches as a running back and receiver. Governale said he expects Menge, his good friend, to pick up more slack next year after he graduates.
Columbia could be just getting started among Northeast Ohio’s top small-school programs.
“We’re definitely diversified,” Governale said. “We have so many people who can step in regardless of age. The younger guys are going to be amazing when they come into their junior and senior years. We’re just going to get better from that.”
33
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com).
"time" - Google News
October 11, 2020 at 05:05PM
https://ift.tt/30T4yyq
Columbia rolling at the right time - cleveland.com
"time" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3f5iuuC
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Columbia rolling at the right time - cleveland.com"
Post a Comment