August 27, 1999

Columbian and Fostoria to have football faceoff

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

First, let's get the basic stuff out of the way.

Yes, there will be a football game between Columbian and Fostoria tonight. And, yes, it will take place at National Machinery Field. All the rumors floating around about the game moving to Fostoria are false.

That much said, it's time to start talking football.

Amid the hoopla of the $2 million stadium renovations &emdash; and whether or not it will be football-ready &emdash; the lost fact has been that a rivalry overflowing with tradition will take place at 7:30 p.m. tonight when the Redmen travel to town to take on the Tornadoes.

"You always have a lot of emotions with this game," Fostoria coach Tom Grine said. "I can't remember the last time the winner of this game didn't make the playoffs. It's sort of a baptism by fire. This has always been a great rivalry played by two schools who play good, hard-hitting football.

"It's a tough way to start the season," he said. "But what a great rivalry; what a great to start."

Last year it was Columbian's turn to reach the playoffs, as the Redmen suffered through a tough 3-7 season just two years after winning a state championship.

Since that 1996 title run, it has been an uphill battle for Grine and the Redmen. But optimism reigns in Fostoria, and the Redmen view tonight's battle with Columbian as a chance to re-establish the program.

"We feel that we're going to be a good football team," Grine said. "For the first time since 1996 we've had competition at every position. That may not sound like a big thing, but when you only have 31 kids on the team, the starters aren't being pushed. Now, we've got that competition and as a result we're getting better looks in practice because of it."

Success won't come easy against a veteran Columbian team. The Tornadoes return no less than 16 starters from last year's 9-1 team, led by quarterback Brent Wise, running back Jeremiah Johnson and wide receiver Brad Snyder.

About the only thing making head coach Steve Gilbert nervous has been practicing alongside a construction site all summer.

"Our theme has been to pretty much just concentrate on the things we can control," Gilbert said. "Those things are practice and preparation. Those are the things we can control. Having a mature group to work with has really helped. We've just tried to sidestep all the questions about the stadium because that's nothing we can control. Our focus has been on the game."

Gilbert's first task tonight will be dealing Fostoria's patented 50 defense, led by a beefy front line. Nose guard Derek Lang (6-2, 240), and ends Rene Martinez (5-11, 195) and Slade Stoner (5-11, 195) are all underclassmen, but have size. The inside backers are Brandon Distel (5-7, 160) and Justin Kiser (5-6, 165).

"I'm really impressed with the way they run to the ball," Gilbert said. "A trademark of Fostoria teams has always been their 50 defense, and they run it well. I'm real impressed with the secondary, and the inside backers are good.

"Last year they handled us at the line," he said. "We came out of their with the win, but they really outplayed us. We have to go out and be a lot more physical than we were last year."

Offensively, the Redmen are led by versatile quarterback Jamie Smith (6-1, 180). The running backs are Pedro Campos (5-10, 196) and Jameson Botimer (5-9, 165). Smith's targets will be Dane Bringman (5-9, 140) and Jeremy Smith (6-0, 170).

"The quarterback's very talented," Gilbert said. "He's in the mold of a Richard Newsome or a Damon Moore, in that he's a good thrower, and he can run with the ball. He's definitely a threat every time he touches the ball; he's a game-breaker. That's why they have him at quarterback."

Eight starters return to the Columbian defense, but TC already has taken a hit, one that hurts at three positions. Kicker/center/defensive lineman Mike Porter will be out with a broken foot.

Curt Scherger will take his spot at center, and Adam Oester will handle the place-kicking. Allan Weickert will start at tackle.

"The one thing we do have is a lot of depth," Gilbert said. "Even with Porter going down, we can replace him with an experienced senior.

"A big thing for us is poise," he said. "We know we have 48 minutes to play, and we have to keep it on an even keel, and prevent the big momentum swings. The bottom line is, if the kids play like they scrimmaged, we're going to be in great shape."