October 29, 1999

It's all on the line for Bellevue and Columbian

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

It was way back during the sweltering month of August when Ed Nasonti and Steve Gilbert struck up a conversation while attending a Clyde football scrimmage.

The Bellevue and Columbian coaches didn't need to compare notes to realize what lie ahead of them.

"Week ten. Wouldn't it be something if we got to that point and it was all on the line," Nasonti hinted at Gilbert.

No doubt, the two snickered underneath their breath. They knew.

And now, here we are, Week 10, with everything on the line -- and then some.

The Redmen come rolling into town to take on the Tornadoes at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in a game that has implications at every corner you turn.

Northern Ohio League Championship and the playoffs. It's all there for the taking.

Columbian, Bellevue and Willard all stand tied atop the league standings with 5-1 records. And with Willard having all but a gimmie putt at Norwalk tonight, the TC-Bellevue winner will grab a piece of the championship.

The Redmen (7-1 overall) have already sewn up a playoff spot, but the Tornadoes (8-1) need to win and then get some help from Whitmer and Wellington to sneak into the eighth spot in Region 6.

"It's like the table's set, now it's time for dinner," Gilbert said. "You look back at the beginning of the year and you see Bellevue in week ten and you wonder 'wouldn't it be something if everything was right there?' Well, everything is right there. And it's just a matter of taking advantage of it.

"Our big emphasis has been trying to keep the kids relaxed and not let them get up tight," he said. "They're used to this kind of situation, though. They've been in games like this the last couple of years."

Every time these two schools hook up on a football field, it seems like something is on the line. Since 1981, Columbian or Bellevue has won or shared the league title every year but four. The Redmen have eight championships during that span, the Tornadoes six. The two schools shared the title in 1996.

"These are two programs who have been very successful over the years," Nasonti said. "You look back at all those games, 1994, '95, '96, '97, they all had a bearing on who won the league."

Success for both teams has been the name of the game in the late '90s. Nasonti has compiled a 79-15 mark in his nine seasons with the Redmen, while Gilbert has posted a 53-17 mark while at Columbian.

Success for both teams tonight won't come easy. Both teams have been known to keep scoreboard operators on their toes (Columbian has scored 182 points the last three weeks). But both teams also have the kind of defense that can give insomnia to opposing offenses.

The Tornadoes average 39.3 points per game and give up 10.8. The Redmen average 39.0 and surrender 9.6. Columbian averages 350.1 yards per game on offense and allows 226.1. Bellevue rolls up 367.6 and gives up a mere 116.6.

In fact, the only big difference in the two teams, statistically, is turnover ratio. Columbian is plus-23, while Bellevue is just plus-1.

"It makes for an interesting game," said Nasonti, whose team is coming off its only loss of the season, 28-21 in double overtime against Willard. "And that's where the anxiety comes in. You don't know how the game's going to unravel itself. You just have to go out and execute and make adjustments throughout the game.

"The big things in a game like this are turnovers, big plays and penalties," he said. "I don't care what level it is, pros, college or high school. You have to look at those three things as keys in a big game."

Gilbert agrees.

"Bellevue is too good of a team to be gimmicked," the TC coach said. "So you have to out-execute them. We talked to our offense about moving the chains when we have the ball. Field position is going to be crucial, so the kicking game is going to be important as well. Hopefully we can get somebody to make a big play there."

The key to the Bellevue offense is quarterback Justin Journay who has thrown 20 touchdowns on 68-of-158 passing. His favorite target, Pete Lepley, is one of the best around. Lepley has caught 30 passes, 13 of which have gone for TDs, for 649 yards. Ryan Cramer is the leading rusher with 625 yards on 121 carries.

Defensively, no individuals stand out on the statistical charts. Although linebacker Cody Cramer is as good as they come, this is a defense built around unity.

For Columbian, running back Jeremiah Johnson leaped to the top of the NOL in rushing with a big game against Galion last week. Johnson now has 947 yards on 176 carries, and has reached the end zone 14 times.

Quarterback Brent Wise continues to improve as the year goes on. He's now completed 102-of-171 passes for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wide receiver Brad Snyder, already the school's most productive pass catcher, has 49 grabs for 618 yards.

"The thing I do like, I think right now we're playing our best football," Gilbert said. "You worry sometimes about the kids playing a game like this on the practice field, but they've prepared well. We're ready for this game."