Columbiana has work cut out in North Lima

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South Range puts opponents through 48 minutes of serious football.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

NORTH LIMA — For opponents of the South Range High football team, it's the same old story: trying to stop a bevy of bodies.

When Columbiana (6-0, 3-0 Inter Tri-County League Tier One) plays at South Range (6-0, 3-0) on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Clippers' defense will be trying to stop a team that's averaging 31.3 points.

On the offensive side of the ball, Columbiana (No. 1, Division VI, Region 21 in the computer ratings) will be going up against a defense that is allowing just 5.1 points each game.

What's at stake

If Columbiana can succeed each way, the Clippers will have the upper hand in the battle for control of the Inter-Tri-County League's big bracket.

"It's anybody's ballgame, but they're very good," Columbiana coach Bob Spaite said of the Raiders (No. 3, Division V, Region 17) who haven't lost a regular-season game since October 2004. "They don't beat themselves."

The last time the teams met was 2001.

"It was the third game of the season and we were soundly defeated," Spaite said of the 34-7 outcome.

The Clippers went 7-3 that year, but the Raiders were very good.

"That's when they beat Warren JFK in the playoffs before being beaten by Bedford Chanel in the regional final," Spaite said.

Prior to that, South Range met Columbiana in 1990 and won, 54-6.

This year, Spaite's team faces a similar challenge.

"They don't have one person we can key on, they have five excellent backs," Spaite said of the difficulty facing his defense. "It's difficult to decide who you take away. You just play base defense and hope it works."

Clippers' numbers

Columbiana is scoring 26.3 points and giving up 10.1.

Offensively, the Clippers will counter with quarterback Jerret Welton, tailback Mackie McGarry and fullback Joe Winters.

Key receivers will be wideouts Tony Giannone and Cory Guy, while Brandon Barnhouse, Corey Stevens and Ryan Williams will see duty at tight end. Chris McIntyre is center, J.D. Beck and Kurt Hutson are the guards and Chris Dozier and Ben Gerlach are the tackles.

On the other side of the ball, McGarry and Josh Hertel are inside linebackers and Anthony Melone is an outside linebacker. Beck and Williams share the other outside linebacker spot.

Barnhouse is a defensive end, while Kurt Hutson and T.J. Hiznay split time on the other side. Chad Stouffer, Chris McIntyre and Neal Brant are the defensive tackles.

In the secondary, Giannone is free safety and Guy is a cornerback. Winters, Welton and Troy Brown alternate at the other corner.

Winters has gained 632 yards on 85 attempts, Welton has 231 on 77 carries and McGarry has 180 on 44 tries. Welton has completed 33 of 66 passes for 556 yards and five touchdowns. He has thrown two interceptions.

Reception rundown

Jannone has 13 catches for 133 yards, while Winters and Guy have seven receptions apiece for 167 and 147 yards, respectively.

Josh Harold has converted 14 of 18 PATs.

Will Friday's Columbiana-Range outcome go a long way in determining the outcome of the Tier One champion?

"I'm sure Crestview, United and East Palestine will have something to say about that," Spaite said. "But, yes, the winner will be in the driver's seat. We're happy to be where we're at."

South Range coach Dan Yeagley said that key games against Mineral Ridge, Springfield and Lisbon still remain for his Raiders, so anything can happen.

"There are tough games after this, but, right now, this is the game," Yeagley said.

Top gainers for Range are: halfback Steve Bensinger (576 yards, 68 attempts, 8 TDs); FB Tom Shives (254/38/2 TDs) and WB David Rach (206/27/4 TDs).

Sophomore quarterback Jack Dawson has completed 32 of 61 passes for 381 yards and four TDs in the Raiders' wing-T offense.

"When it's all said and done, he'll be OK," Yeagley said of Dawson. "He's already doing OK."

His main receivers are Rach (nine catches for 126 yards and 3 TDs) and SE Jordan Razo (6 catches for 92 yards).

Razo shares time with Josh Less who has seven catches for 62 yards.

Yeagley is concerned about containing Winters and Welton.

"Those two run the option very well. They're attacking all the time," Yeagley said. "That's cause for concern. When you stop them, then they throw to Cory Guy down the sidelines."

Thursday, October 5, 2006