Panther proud
Norwalk St. Paul just wore down McComb in last night’s regional semifinal game.
I thought the Panthers had a chance as they drove the ball down to St. Paul’s 9 yard line on their first possession of the second half. But Joe Stoll, stole the ball away from Noah Shoop just as McComb looked like it was going to take the lead in the beginning of the third quarter.
Then came one of the most impressive drives by a high school football team that I have ever seen, 19-plays, 91 yards taking nearly 9:00 off the clock. Add the 2-point conversion and the Flyers led the Panthers 27-14 with just 59 seconds left in the third quarter.
At that point you could see any momentum shift north to Norwalk and the drive took the wind out of the Panthers’ sails although they did manage to score a couple of more times on runs by senior Derrick Hill. St Paul so thoroughly won the battle up front that they never punted the ball in the second half and didn’t throw a pass.
A lot of people didn’t think the Panthers would even get this far -- McComb fans included. I heard Kris Alge tell his kids that maybe 4, 5 or 6 wins would be all a lot of people though they would win this season. They easily exceeded those expectations. Anytime you lose in the regional semifinals you are a little disappointed but you should feel a little pride too because many, many more coaches, players and fans who never got to Week 12 of the football season wish to be in your shoes.
I wasn’t impressed by the contingent of McComb fans on the visitor’s side at beautifully renovated Don Paul Stadium in Fremont. Kudos to all of you that went there and supported the kids but I thought there would be at least a little bigger crowd supporting the Panthers this week. Shame on you Panther fans that never did jump on the McComb Express this season.
NEWSWORTHY:
HN THEY STILL HATE YOU: When the other regional scores were announced at Fremont Friday night the biggest cheers went up when it announced that Mechanicsburg beat Hardin Northern 34-0. Polar Bears, the St. Paul fans don’t like you obviously. But who cares? You have the state championship trophy and they don’t.
BLOGGING SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: University of Findlay football, Dam Simrell’s final hurrah.
TUESDAY: It’s not the GBC’s fault that no Findlay High School girls soccer players got awards.
WEDNESDAY: Why it’s time to get the bulldozer out at Donnell Stadium.
THURSDAY: My alma mater (St. Wendelin) and why they are settling for mediocrity.
FRIDAY: Too far ahead of time to think about.
NEWSWORTHY:
Findlay Courier local sports: Includes stories on Hardin Northern, McComb and the Columbus Grove vs. Hopewell-Loudon games
Hopewell-Loudon vs. Columbus Grove story from the Review Times
Oak Harbor dominates Coldwater
Mechanicsburg manhandles Columbus Grove
Coldwater runs into a wall
Marion Local pounds Springfield Catholic
Piqua ousts Wapakoneta
Grove comes up short
Goal line stand saves Ashland
Andy Griffith sues Andy Griffith
I thought the Panthers had a chance as they drove the ball down to St. Paul’s 9 yard line on their first possession of the second half. But Joe Stoll, stole the ball away from Noah Shoop just as McComb looked like it was going to take the lead in the beginning of the third quarter.
Then came one of the most impressive drives by a high school football team that I have ever seen, 19-plays, 91 yards taking nearly 9:00 off the clock. Add the 2-point conversion and the Flyers led the Panthers 27-14 with just 59 seconds left in the third quarter.
At that point you could see any momentum shift north to Norwalk and the drive took the wind out of the Panthers’ sails although they did manage to score a couple of more times on runs by senior Derrick Hill. St Paul so thoroughly won the battle up front that they never punted the ball in the second half and didn’t throw a pass.
A lot of people didn’t think the Panthers would even get this far -- McComb fans included. I heard Kris Alge tell his kids that maybe 4, 5 or 6 wins would be all a lot of people though they would win this season. They easily exceeded those expectations. Anytime you lose in the regional semifinals you are a little disappointed but you should feel a little pride too because many, many more coaches, players and fans who never got to Week 12 of the football season wish to be in your shoes.
I wasn’t impressed by the contingent of McComb fans on the visitor’s side at beautifully renovated Don Paul Stadium in Fremont. Kudos to all of you that went there and supported the kids but I thought there would be at least a little bigger crowd supporting the Panthers this week. Shame on you Panther fans that never did jump on the McComb Express this season.
NEWSWORTHY:
HN THEY STILL HATE YOU: When the other regional scores were announced at Fremont Friday night the biggest cheers went up when it announced that Mechanicsburg beat Hardin Northern 34-0. Polar Bears, the St. Paul fans don’t like you obviously. But who cares? You have the state championship trophy and they don’t.
BLOGGING SCHEDULE THIS WEEK:
MONDAY: University of Findlay football, Dam Simrell’s final hurrah.
TUESDAY: It’s not the GBC’s fault that no Findlay High School girls soccer players got awards.
WEDNESDAY: Why it’s time to get the bulldozer out at Donnell Stadium.
THURSDAY: My alma mater (St. Wendelin) and why they are settling for mediocrity.
FRIDAY: Too far ahead of time to think about.
NEWSWORTHY:
Findlay Courier local sports: Includes stories on Hardin Northern, McComb and the Columbus Grove vs. Hopewell-Loudon games
Hopewell-Loudon vs. Columbus Grove story from the Review Times
Oak Harbor dominates Coldwater
Mechanicsburg manhandles Columbus Grove
Coldwater runs into a wall
Marion Local pounds Springfield Catholic
Piqua ousts Wapakoneta
Grove comes up short
Goal line stand saves Ashland
Andy Griffith sues Andy Griffith
posted by --J-- @ 10:42 AM
3 Comments:
At 9:42 PM,
Anonymous said…
Jamie,
Thanks for the nice words about McComb, it was a very special season. It seems like the years expectations are a little lower are more satisfying. Losing a three year starter at QB in Copus and an all-state receiver in Kryling, expections weren't real high. This was one of Alge's best coaching jobs, squeezing out 9 wins and getting to the second round of the playoffs. Stoll of Norwalk is the best player we saw this year, probably even better on defense than offense, and he's a heck of a runner.
JDee
At 8:03 PM,
Anonymous said…
Jamie,
Just thought you should know your link "Mechanicsburg manhandles Columbus Grove" should read "Mechanicsburg manhandles Columbus Grove Hardin Northern" and the "Grove comes up short" link posts to the "Piqua ousts Wapakoneta" link.
At 12:17 PM,
Shea Avery said…
Thanks ggreat post
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