by It was a cold, snowy night here at Bob Bishop Stadium in Clyde for the Division 6 Region 22 Championship game between the Columbus Grove Bulldogs and the Columbia Raiders.
Although the mercury was below freezing the Bulldogs were red hot. The Bulldogs completed a stunning upset against the Raiders 34-0.
It was clear that the weather played a large part in this game from the first snap. Both teams had trouble at times holding onto the football with more than 10 fumbles during the game. The Bulldogs won with a massive team effort to advance to the Division 6 State Semi-Finals. The Raiders had no answers for Columbus Grove on either side of the ball tonight.
On the first play for Columbus Grove, Sophomore Trenton Barraza took a handoff to the right side and broke away from the pack racing 85 yards down the field for the Bulldogs’ first score of the night.
As the first quarter wound down, Columbus Grove worked their way down the field as time wound down in the quarter when Barraza worked his way into the endzone from 1 yard out. The score was set up by a 9-yard keeper by QB Brenton Renner. The 1st quarter ended with Columbus Grove taking an early 14-0 lead.
The second quarter was a battle of the defenses with no movement on the scoreboard until just under 2 minutes to go in the half when Grove kicker Shep Halker hit a 28-yard field goal to go up 17-0.
Columbia received the ball to start the second half as the Raiders tried to keep the game from getting away from them. It wasn’t to be however as the Raiders started their opening drive from their own 3-yard line. 2 plays into the possession, Columbus Grove tackled Cirigliano in the endzone for a safety to make it 19-0 Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs added 17 more points total in the third quarter. Two rushing touchdowns, one by Barraza and one by Shep Halker. Halker hit a 36-yard field goal as well to bring the Bulldogs up 34-0.
Both teams exchanged possessions without a score in the fourth quarter under a running clock.
Columbus Grove Bulldogs-34
Columbia Raiders – 0
The Player of the Game:
Columbus Grove RB Trenton Barraza:17 carries 141 yards 3 TDs
Columbus Grove moves on to play Marion Local in the State Semi-Final Game.
Congratulations to the Bulldogs on advancing. Also, Congratulations to the Columbia Raiders on an Amazing Season.
Columbia stats
Carter Kalamasz: 5/11 22 yards 1 INT
Marco Cirigliano: 15 carries for 58 yards
Columbus Grove stats:
Trenton Barraza: 17 carries 141 yards 3 TDs
