September 29, 2000

TC goes up against the Rams

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

Dick DeWitt won't exactly be manning his football players with slingshots when they take the field at Frost-Kalnow Stadium tonight, but that whole David and Goliath thing is a concept with which he is very familiar.

DeWitt's Upper Sandusky Rams bring their 1-4 record into battle against unbeaten Columbian, a team that seems to be getting stronger and stronger every week.

"We're in a situation where our kids have been getting better and better the last few weeks," DeWitt said. "Now we have a chance to test ourselves against a team, that after watching on films, is probably the best in the conference.

"But we're looking at this as a positive," he said. "We have somewhat of a tradition of playing Columbian well. We seem to rise up a bit when we play the big boys on the block. Now is one of those times."

The differences in these two teams go beyond their respective 1-4 and 5-0 records.

The Rams have scored just 29 points all year, while the Tornadoes are averaging 27 per game.

Columbian's defense gives up a meager 138.4 yards per game. The Rams allow almost 300. Offensively, the Tornadoes move 261.4 yards per game to Upper Sandusky's 204.6.

Even so, Columbian coach Steve Gilbert won't budge an inch.

"They have the most returners (from last year) of anybody in the league," the TC coach said. "And they have some weapons, so it's definitely a team that we have to focus and play as well as possible against.

"We didn't play well against them last year (21-7 win) and ended up with a dogfight on our hands," he said. "The key is how we approach the game mentally. And if practice is any indication, we're in a good frame of mind."

Upper Sandusky's strength lies within its skill people.

Tailback Brian Kimmel rushed for 1,007 yards last year, second most in the Northern Ohio League, and has gained 400 yards on 77 attempts this season.

Quarterback Aaron Leitzy has completed 41-of-102 passes for 449 yards, but has yet to throw a touchdown pass.

Receiver John McWilliams has caught 12 passes for 126 yards. A safety on defense, McWilliams is third in the NOL with 60 tackles.

"We have to be able to stay in the game early," DeWitt said. "We have to have success early for confidence-sake. We have to get some stops defensively, and even if we don't score we have to get some first downs on offense to keep the ball out of their hands.

"Tiffin had a tough non-conference schedule and they came out of it with the top-ranked defense in the league," he said. "But we have to look at this game as an opportunity. We can't be afraid to lose. We have to go out there and play to win."

Columbian's offense has evolved with the improvement of fullback Steve Lee running the ball. Lee had been a leader as a punishing blocker, but in the last two games he has rushed for 201 yards.

Tailback Brett Krupp leads the team with 658 yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. His 13 touchdowns lead all area players.

"We're real comfortable with what we want to do," Gilbert said. "And the kids are gaining more and more confidence every week. They understand what we want to do. Now it's just a matter of getting better at it.

"One thing we can't lose sight of is that these guys are playing the game for the sheer joy of playing the game," he said. "I just want them to play as hard as they can and then everything will take care of itself."