Grove gets back to business, hosts Golden Bears

COLUMBUS GROVE– After a Friday off, it's back to business for the Bulldogs. Columbus Grove comes into Friday's playoff matchup with Gibsonburg with a 7-3 record, good enough for a first-round bye. A tough non-conference schedule saw Columbus Grove begin the season a shocking 0-3, but coach Andy Schafer and the Bulldogs were quick to correct course. Grove proceeded to win seven straight games, clinching the Northwest Conference for a third consecutive season. Returning under center for the Bulldogs after a season-ending injury a season ago is quarterback Landon Best. Best, a six-foot senior, has thrown for nearly 1,600 yards on a 68-percent clip, tossing 21 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions. He has added 218 yards and five TDs on the ground. Alongside Best in the backfield will be running back Brody McCluer. McCluer has burst onto the scene as a sophomore, replacing star tailback Trent Barraza. For the year, McCluer has put up 603 yards and six touchdowns on 81 carries, averaging over seven yards per touch. Columbus Grove's depth at the receiver spot has been a key to their successful season. Trevon Baxter (757 yds, 58 rec. 8 TDs), Gavin Barraza (417 yds, 37 rec. 6 TDs), and Gavin Baxter (363 yds, 17 rec, 7 TDs) were all named to the All-NWC team this season, and have all been prolific athletes for Best to connect with. As a team, the Bulldogs ranked second in both points per game (33.9) and points allowed per game (15.9). Despite a prolific offensive game, defense is where the Bulldogs hang their hat. Columbus Grove suffocated teams on the ground. leading the NWC in rushing yards allowed with just 115 per game. The Bulldogs forced 15 fumbles, grabbed 11 interceptions, and forced a league-leading amount of punts with 34. The Bulldogs had four players honored with All-NWC first-team defensive selections, as Gavin Baxter (DL), Trevon Baxter (DB), Gavin Barraza (DB), and Brady Basinger (LB) were all named to the first team. Jakob Leininger (DL), McCluer (LB), Trenton Wynkoop (LB), and Alex Meyer (DB) were named All-NWC selections as well. These numbers all make Friday's contest look even more appetizing for the Bulldogs. Gibsonburg is an extremely run-heavy team, with quarterback Reece Walby completing just 28 passes all season for 567 yards and eight scores. Running back Grant Smith has been responsible for the bulk of the production for the Golden Bears, running for almost 1700 yards. Smith has 23 touchdowns on 217 carries, and has broken 100 yards in 10 of the team's 11 games. Smith is joined in the run game by Aiden Nims, who has racked up 769 yards on 69 carries, and Aiden Morant, who has 484 yards on 55 carries. Walby has had his fair share of QB keepers as well, adding 399 yards and 49 carries to Gibsonburg's totals. With Gibsonburg utilizing the run so successfully and almost exclusively, this Bulldogs defense will have its work cut out for them. If the Golden Bears run into a wall on the ground, however, the Bulldogs may have an easy outing. The Golden Bears' defensive unit may have something to say, though. Hunter Wasserman leads the SBC-River with eight sacks and three forced fumbles, while Hayden Brown added 3.5 more sacks. Smith was fourth in the conference in tackles with 107.5, and Walby also placed in the top ten with 93.5. Walby, along with Morant, has also snagged six interceptions this season. Luke Foster recorded three picks, and both Chuy Rodriguez and Tristin Pacak have two INTs. Gibsonburg's defense has allowed just 926 yards of passing offense all season, and the Golden Bears have outscored opponents 397 to 158. They've held nine of their 11 opponents under 15 points, six to single digits. Friday will be a test for both squads, as both teams' strengths seem to match up with the other's weaknesses.