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November 8, 2013
RC News Correspondent: Eric Kastner
Photography: Evan Fry
Tiffin, OH –
When taking a look around Frost-Kalnow Stadium Friday evening, you got the sense that these two NOL combatants would be in for another nail-biter. When mentioning another “nail-biter”, I’m referring to the week four matchup in Norwalk that saw Columbian take the league opener (24-20). The end result was the same for Columbian in week 11, but it took double overtime for the Tornadoes to takedown a feisty Norwalk team 34-28.
Norwalk wasted no time getting on the board in this one, as they scored on the sixth play of their opening drive that covered 59 yards in less than three minutes to take a (7-0) lead. Jordan Johnson a senior captain and quarterback for the Truckers connected on both of his passes in their opening possession and found Joseph Hinckley from 12 yards out for Norwalk’s first score.
However, the Tornadoes who were hosting this 4 and 5 seeded first round matchup, took just four plays following Norwalk’s opening possession and Columbian knotted things up with a Ryan Lynch 60 yard touchdown scamper with 8:21 showing in the opening quarter. This is where we would stand at the end of the first quarter (7-7).
The Tornadoes rode the legs of Lynch all night (33 carries), as late in the 2nd quarter, Lynch took one in from 7 yards out, in which he saw five carries in eight plays that gave Columbian a (14-7) lead with 4:42 remaining in the half. After the score both squads would exchange possessions before Columbian would take a (14-7) lead into halftime.
Tiffin Columbian, Senior (RB) Ryan Lynch (Photo Credit - Evan Fry).jpg
Columbian would open the 2nd half with possession and hopes of taking the game’s first two-score lead. However, that wouldn’t be the case. After a (QB) Donovan Walker unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the Tornadoes faced third and over 30, before punting away deep in their own territory, which set up great field position for the Truckers.
The Truckers made sure to capitalize on great field position and took their opening possession in the 2nd half 35 yards, capped by a Johnson 2 yard touchdown run. The score from Johnson was set-up by his own 23 yard strike to senior wide receiver Hinckley one player earlier (14-14). This is where the score stood after three quarters of play.
After several miscues by both teams, and the chance for the defenses to settle down, it was the Truckers who took their first lead in the 2nd half on an eight-play, 78 yard scoring drive that melted valuable time off the clock. Johnson used his speed around the end, as he sailed in from 23 yards out to give the Truckers a (21-14) lead with just over six minutes to play. This left the home crowd stunned as Norwalk put together a perfect drive late in the game.
If that drive wasn’t enough, Columbian was facing a 3rd and 14 from their own 29 yard line with fewer than six minutes to play. However, this is when the key play of the game was made. Donovan Walker found fellow senior Josh Flint, on a go-route for a 71 yard game-tying score (21-21), with 5:22 remaining.
Josh Flint with Important Grab for TC (Photo Credit - Evan Fry).jpg
Both teams exchanged missed field goals in the final minutes, with Norwalk nearly making one from 44 yards out (wide left), as these teams headed into overtime (21-21).
However, Columbian’s Donovan Walker seemed to find his stride after his long touchdown strike late in the 4th, and carried that over to the overtime session. While, Norwalk scored on its first overtime possession, Walker answered with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Lynch (28-28). Walker and the Tornadoes would then take the first possession of the 2nd overtime, and on the third play he would connect with his 6’5” Tight End Derek Dryfuse for a 12 yard touchdown and (34-28) lead after a missed XP.
Running Back Spencer Franklin (JR) of Norwalk (Photo Credit - Evan Fry).jpg
However, Columbian fans had to hold their breath after the missed extra point attempt, because Norwalk was on the move again. After picking up a fourth and inches, Norwalk would get as close as the Tornadoes three yard line, before the biggest blunder of the Truckers night. Norwalk quarterback Johnson received a wild snap that resulted in a 27 yard loss. The loss on the play had the Truckers looking at a 3rd and goal from the 30, rather than the 3. This proved to be too much to overcome as a desperation heave two plays later fell out of the hands of a Trucker receiver and (10-1) Tiffin Columbian advanced in another wild battle against division foe (9-2) Norwalk 34-28 in double overtime.
Tiffin Columbian showed a lot of resiliency against Norwalk tonight. However, next week they will be playing against the Central Catholic Fighting Irish of Toledo, who are unanimous favorites to win the OHSAA Division III crown.
You can follow RC News Correspondent Eric Kastner on twitter @EKastner24, and also find Evan Fry (Photographer) on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/evan.fry.98
