High school football: Columbus Grove stops Fairview, 42-21 (2024)

DEFIANCE — Columbus Grove’s Gabe Clement came up big on both sides of the ball and it helped the Bulldogs defeat Fairview 42-21 and capture the Division VI regional title Saturday.

Clement passed for a touchdown, caught four passes for 96 yards including a 70 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter and made three big interceptions in the second half that all contributed to the big win. Clement’s final pick off clinched the game with Fairview trying to make another miracle comeback late in the game.

With the win Columbus Grove will face Coldwater in the state semifinals Saturday at a place to be determined today.

Bulldog head coach Andy Schafer said this was an emotional week for the team. Schafer reminded his team of what it felt like last March when the basketball team had its state run stopped and when Jeff Meyer was not allowed to wrestle at state. In addition to the Schafer said his brother died this week.

“Honestly I said ‘guys this is your game,’” Schafer said. “The goal this year was to get you to this game and you guys deserve it. They fought and battled for everything. There was a lot of tears on the sidelines and this was the most emotional win for me.”

Up 28-21, Clement, who threw a 43 yard touchdown pass to give the Bulldogs’ first score and then caught the big bomb from Reynolds to give Columbus Grove the big two score lead with 6 minutes left in the game.

The Bulldogs added a late score to go up 42-21 with 3:39 left in the game.

In between Clement’s touchdown, Colin Metzger continued to be a force to reckon with as the Bulldog tailback rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown. Metzger’s ability ground out yardage, 121 in the second half was key in controlling the ball and keeping it away from the Fairview offense.

“Colin was asking me what I have to do in the second and I told him ‘honestly I think they are doing a really good job at the next level and he is one of those scat back kind of guys and I told him to just hit the hole and then see what happened and he changed his running style and honestly it made a huge difference.”

Reynolds did his job with 69 yards and three touchdowns. The senior signal caller passed was 10 of 19 for 141 yards and one touchdown.

The game was tight throughout the game and going into the fourth quarter the score was knotted at 21-21. The Apaches had utilized the big play throughout the game but in the the Bulldog defense clamped down in the final 12 minutes to hold keep the Apaches from scoring and Clements’ interception coupled with the Columbus Grove front four applying constant pressure were key components in stoppling the Apaches.

Apache quarterback Doug Rackes was 16 of 30 for 323 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off three times and sacked four times.

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Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.