Findlay, Ross renew 97-year rivalry

Matt Pees may be new to the Findlay High head coaching position. But he understands well the impact on coaches, players and fans when Fremont Ross pops up on the schedule. "When it comes to a rivalry, you can pretty much throw everything out the window," Pees said. "You know it's going to be a street fight." WHEN &WHERE: 7 p.m. Friday at Fremont's Don Paul Stadium. COACHES: Pees is 1-0 in his first season as Findlay High head coach. Chad Long, in his fifth season at Fremont Ross, is 15-26. LAST MEETING/OVERALL SERIES: One of Ohio's longest-running rivalries will be renewed on Harmon Field Friday when Findlay and Fremont Ross clash for the 90th straight year and 98th time overall. The Trojans and Little Giants have been league rivals from the days of the Buckeye League (1935-1954) to the Buckeye Conference (1954-1986), the Buckeye Central Conference (1987-1994), the Great Lakes League (1995-2002), the Greater Buckeye Conference (2003-2010) and currently the Three Rivers Athletic Conference (2011-present). Findlay won last year's game 35-0 at Donnell Stadium, but Ross leads the overall series 58-36-3. TALE OF THE TAPE: Both teams come into the game off impressive opening wins. Findlay built a 21-7 half time lead on Toledo Whitmer, then cinched a 31-21 win over the Panthers with two time-consuming drives. The Trojans marched 72 yards in nine plays to open the third quarter and covered 75 yards in 13 plays – all on the ground – in eating up the final eight minutes of the game. The win ended a nine-game losing streak to Whitmer, all in league play. "That was a big win for us," Pees said. "The kids gave great effort. They practiced hard all summer, they believed in themselves and in each other and they kept going no matter the situation. "It was great to see that happen, but now we're ready to move on and play our rival. The way we're approaching it is it's a one-week season and we're 0-0. We're playing a really talented Fremont Ross team. It doesn't matter what we did last week. It's all about preparation and getting ready for this week because you've gotta show up and you gotta execute." Fremont Ross, just 1-9 last year, opened the 2020 season with a 35-21 win over Oregon Clay. Sophomore quarterback Kaden Holmes, a dual-threat much like Findlay's Max Roth, completed 15 of 19 passes for 109 yards and rushed for 38 yards and three touchdowns. Jonathan Szymanowski rushed for 98 yards and Labronze Barnett ran for 86 yards and a TD. "They have a really talented quarterback who can move around; they have athletes all over the field," Pees said. "We have to be sound in our keys and reads and make sure we're squared away. Each play is kind of going to have its own rules, so we need to be sharp, make those mental reps we've been making these last couple days and just play really clean football." GROUND & POUND: Pees promised multiple formations this season and Friday the Trojans delivered. Known mostly as a spread offense with the quarterback in the shotgun and as many as five receivers, Findlay also went with Roth under center, a tight end and just two wide outs. The results were impressive. Roth rushed for 129 yards, Isaac James had 111, Alex Theis 45 and Elisha Baxter 37 as Findlay generated 319 of its 418 total yards on the ground. "Any time your quarterback goes out and has a great game, a lot of the credit has to go to the guys up front," Pees said. "They kept him clean, they showed some great blocking, they had multiple pancakes (blocks), they were driving their (defenders) down the field ... "They played with great effort and great attitude, and we need to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We expect a lot of those guys and so far they have delivered." A rotating group of linemen that included senior center Andrew Kostendt (6-0, 252), senior guards Evan Winans (6-0, 225) and Andy Petiniot (5-11, 269) and tackles Blaine Rader (6-4, 267, sr.), Matt Searles (6-8, 349, jr.) and Rahzik "Zeke" Crurtcher (6-9, 289, jr.) created some massive holes, including one in the first quarter where Roth, after faking a handoff, shot up the middle, found plenty of running room and was in high gear before the defense could react in what turned into a 56-yard touchdown run. Roth went 8 yards for a score on a similar play in the second quarter. "We want to continue to utilize their strength and their ability to attack," Pees said. "We had a great few weeks of practice, and we're ready to run the ball. Our coaching staff has done a great job getting those guys ready, and the kids come out, they play hard and they execute, so there's a lot of credit to go around."