by Columbia Station – The Columbia Raiders outscored the Firelands Falcons 22-7 in the second half to close out the regular season with a big 42-28 win on Senior Night.
The Raiders entered the second half trailing 21-20 but wasted no time taking the lead. On the first play of the half, running back Xavier Hendon broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run. On the play, Hendon surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark. Slotback Peyton Leidtke, who had a huge game, ran the ball into the end zone for the two-point conversion, giving Columbia a 28-21 lead it would never relinquish.
The first half was a much different story, as the teams went back and forth trading scores. Firelands received the opening kickoff and found success through the air. Quarterback Liam Tobicash, who finished the night completing 13 of 24 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns, completed all four of his passes on the opening drive, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Brett Beury to give Firelands an early 7-0 lead.
Columbia responded by doing what it does best: running the ball with its dangerous triple-option attack. The 80-yard drive ended with Ambrose Beach finding the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.
The Falcons wasted little time responding. Tobicash connected with wide receiver Lucas Green for a 54-yard touchdown pass, the first of Green’s two touchdown receptions, to give Firelands a 14-7 lead.
Columbia answered right back, this time with a quick strike of its own. Leidtke broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14.
A few possessions later, following a Columbia turnover on downs, Firelands found success through the air once again. Tobicash completed four of five passes on the drive, including an 18-yard touchdown pass to Carson Lima, giving the Falcons a 21-14 lead with just over a minute remaining in the half.
With little time remaining, Columbia turned to something it doesn’t use often: the passing game. Quarterback Logan Menge attempted just six passes on the night, completing three, all on this drive and all to Leidtke. The final completion was a 3-yard touchdown pass. However, a fumbled snap on the extra-point attempt sent Columbia into the locker room trailing 21-20.
The second half was all Raiders. After Hendon opened the half with a 56-yard touchdown run, he added a 1-yard touchdown run, giving Columbia a 35-21 lead midway through the third quarter after entering halftime trailing by one.
The Raiders’ defense also rose to the challenge in the second half. After allowing 180 passing yards in the first half, Columbia held Tobicash and the Falcons to just 52 passing yards after halftime.
Hendon added another touchdown for the Raiders, while Tobicash connected with Green for the Falcons’ final score, as Columbia secured the 42-28 victory.
With the win, the Columbia Raiders finish the regular season with a 9-1 record, including a 5-1 mark in the Lorain County League.
As for the Firelands Falcons, they finish the regular season at 6-4 overall and 4-2 in Lorain County League play.
Player of the Game – Columbia’s Xavier Hendon: Hendon finished the night with 17 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns. After being held out of the end zone in the first half, Hendon scored all three of his touchdowns in the second half to help lead the Raiders to victory.
