Columbus Grove running back Trenton Barraza breaks a tackle as he charges downfield in Friday’s game against Fort Loramie.
Jessica Trinko | The Lima News
COLUMBUS GROVE — The life of a defensive back can be a little dull in the Northwest Conference, with all the running teams.
Columbus Grove’s Gavin Barraza and his defensive backfield friends enjoyed a bit of the spotlight Friday night against a pass-dominant Fort Loramie team. The Bulldogs were up to the challenge in their 50-20 victory, with Barraza getting two first-half interceptions.
“We were talking about it all week because you don’t see a lot of teams like that in the NWC,” he said of the league’s newest member, who joined this year. “Our DBs are pretty happy about it. We were finally able to get into the action and have a little bit of fun.”
Barraza picked up one of his interceptions in the end zone, stalling a possible scoring drive for the Redskins (3-4, 2-2 NWC) that could’ve given them some momentum going into halftime.
Fort Loramie actually held a 310-279 total yardage advantage in the game, but 73 of that came on a fourth-quarter drive against Columbus Grove’s junior varsity defense. In general, Columbus Grove (7-0, 4-0 NWC), ranked No. 2 in the most recent Associated Press poll in Division VII, kept the Redskins from scoring thanks to its three interceptions. Grove also held them about 70 yards below their passing average.
Bulldog coach Andy Schafer said Friday felt a bit like a playoff game, with a good crowd for Military Night at Clymer Stadium and an unfamiliar opponent with an unusual offensive style.
“This is probably the most nervous that I’ve been all year,” Schafer said. “They’ve played some pretty good games against some pretty good teams. So my hat’s off to them.”
Fort Loramie also did a decent job of containing CG’s star running back, Trenton Barraza. While he finished the game with 19 carries for 145 yards with a touchdown, the senior running back really wasn’t able to get going until late in the first half, averaging a low-for-him 5.4 yards per carry on his first 10 carries.
As Fort Loramie focused on Barraza, the rest of the offense found its footing. Kyle Hopkins, making his second start at quarterback of the season after an injury to Landon Best earlier in the year, completed 8 of 12 passes for 94 yards. The converted senior wide receiver completed first-quarter touchdown passes to Brady Basinger (2-yard TD) and Grant Eversole (22-yard TD).
“I know the playbook pretty well from receiver, and I played all last year,” Hopkins said. “It’s really easy when you have No. 3 (Trenton Barraza) back there to just give the ball to him. … The line just opened up holes in the pocket, and it was easy to see my receivers downfield.”
Eversole also had a 21-yard rushing touchdown during his two-TD day.
Fort Loramie’s Gabe Hart completed 16 of 26 passes for 175 yards and three interceptions. His top targets were Thomas Hoying, who had six catches for 68 yards, and Maxwell Maurer, who had five catches for 65 yards.
The special teams for the Bulldogs also got into the scoring column this week. Trevon Baxter had an 87-yard kickoff return in the second quarter when Fort Loramie had pulled within 14-7. In the fourth quarter, Levi Schroeder recovered a blocked punt attempt in the end zone for a score.
Defensive lineman Kylan Mayes also had another strong outing for the Bulldogs.
“Just the way he’s able to get a sack, get a big hit in the backfield, or get through a double- or triple-team is impressive,” Schafer said. “His motor on defense is pretty special.”
Columbus Grove’s players wore special camouflaged jerseys for Military Night. Each wore the name of a special person in their lives on their back instead of their own, and the week’s activities included going through military drills and eating at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post with its members.
“It was really fun playing for the people on our jerseys and just seeing the crowd line up along the sidelines,” Hopkins said. “It’s just fun hearing the crowd roar every time we score.”
Columbus Grove 50, Fort Loramie 20
Fort Loramie Columbus Grove
13 First downs 14
310 Total yards 279
135 Rushing yards 185
175 Passing yardage 94
16-26-3 Passing 8-12-0
0-0 Fumbles-Lost 1-1
0-0 Punts 0-0
1-5 Penalties 1-10
Score by quarters:
Fort Loramie 0 7 6 7 — 20
Columbus Grove 14 14 7 15 — 50
First quarter
CG-Brady Basinger 2 pass from Kyle Hopkins (Evan Verhoff kick), 8:08
CG-Grant Eversole 22 pass from Kyle Hopkins (Evan Verhoff kick), 1:55
Second quarter
FL-Ray Hoying 21 pass from Gabe Hart (Thomas Hoying kick), 8:33
CG-Treven Baxter 87 kickoff return (Verhoff kick), 8:19
CG-Grant Eversole 21 run (Verhoff kick), 6:36
Third quarter
CG-Trenton Barraza 8 run (Verhoff kick), 9:51
FL-Ace Boerger 1 run (kick failed), 3:06
Fourth quarter
CG-Levi Schroeder punt block recovery in end zone (Verhoff kick), 6:37
FL-Caden Cantwil 36 run (Thomas Hoying kick), 1:33
Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter @Lima_Trinko.
