Monday, December 3rd, 2012

Coldwater's seniors the first to play 60

By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Coldwater's Troy Muhlenkamp, 17, Alan Kunk, 66, Christian Schramm, 5, and Jordon Harlamert, 50, lead the Cavaliers onto the field for the Division V state championship game on Saturday. Coldwater's 23 seniors helped lead the Cavaliers's football team to the third state championship in school history.

MASSILLON - Imagine playing six full seasons of high school football in four years.
The 23 senior football players from Coldwater suited up for the final time on Saturday got a chance to reach their goal of 60 games and finish as state champions.
The Cavaliers' seniors became the first group of seniors in Ohio high school football history to be a part of 60 games in their career, a feat only possible over the last decade when the playoffs expanded and five playoff games became possible.
"I can't even put it into words," said senior quarterback Austin Bruns. "It feels awesome when (you win) your last high school football game . You're always going to remember that. Just to go out with 23 seniors is incredible. They're all great guys (as are) the coaches. I'm always going to remember this. I'll miss it."
The 10-9 win over Kirtland in the Division V state final on Saturday was the perfect ending for the seniors, who have dressed or played in three previous state finals, all of which ended in losses.
For senior linebacker Zach Dickman, the silver medals awarded to each player for runner-up finishes provided motivation.
"I know I looked at mine (runner-up medals) pretty constantly over the winter as a motivation," said Dickman. "To have three silver and come home with a fourth silver our senior year wasn't going to happen for us."
When the final whistle sounded on Saturday's win, it had to feel like a weight coming off the team's collective back.
It's indescribeable!" said senior receiver-corner back Caleb Siefring. "We knew it would be a great feeling if we could win, I can't describe it. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Each state championship (loss) was like a dagger. Now, we've won. It's amazing."
"Starting out as a freshman, going to the state championship the first time was incredible on its own," said Dickman. "We had no clue we were going to do this. To go to four straight and be the first class to play 60, I will always have that. We will always be the first class to play 60 high school games. To win the last one is amazing."
Cavaliers' head coach Chip Otten is proud of the effort the 23 seniors have put in to make their final game a winning one.
"To play in 60, be involved in 60 games is incredible. That means we've won (17) playoff games," said Otten. "That means you're playing quality opponents. This year, we won our last game.
"In high school sports, almost everybody who plays loses their last game, because you get into a tournament and you always lose," continued Otten. "The last remembrance of your sporting event is typically a loss for everybody. For these guys, they felt the pain of losing that last game in the finals, now they got the win on their last one. They'll always have it."
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Subscriber and paid stories on this date
MASSILLON -  If Division I college football coaches haven't had Austin Bruns on their radar when it comes to recruiting, Saturday's Division V state championship football game made for a perfect resume for Coldwater's star quarterback.
Cavs and Flyers Football State Championship Notes and Quotes
By GARY R. RASBERRY
and RANDY BRUNS
The Daily Standard
MASSILLON - Some notes and quotes from the weekend at the state football finals.
One
NEW BREMEN - Going into Saturday's matchup with the New Bremen Cardinals, Celina Bulldogs' girls basketball coach Brian Stetler knew that one of the major keys for his kids to have success was how they would handle the veteran Cardinals' guard trio of Kyla Otting, Hannah Holdren and Meagan Brandt.
Compiled by Ryan Hines
Versailles' one-two combination of Kyle Ahrens and Chad Winner ended up being too much for Celina on Saturday at the Fieldhouse as the Tigers earned a 71-67 victory over the Bulldogs.
Local Weekend Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Wade Gelhaus had a career night as Fort Recovery improved to 2-0 on the season with a 64-56 win over Greenville at Fort Site Fieldhouse.
CELINA - The county has snagged more than $1.5 million in federal funds to improve an approximately 3.5-mile stretch of Mud Pike.
The Federal Highway Administration dollars are earmarked for pavement and shoulder widening and geometric improvements from Celina's city limits to state Route 118.
CARTHAGENA - From corn husk and wood to terra cotta and clay, several mediums have been used around the world to depict the birth of Jesus Christ.
An exhibit of 50 Nativity sets on loan from the University of Dayton Marian Library opened Sunday at St. Charles Senior Living Community.