Tiffin Columbian Football: Too Early Preview

  There's only 77 days until the Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes kick off their football season at home against the Clyde Fliers.

  But who's counting?

  Here is a before two-a-days look at your Tornado team for this season! Make sure and check back on the site for our Tiffin Calvert preview and more information about the teams as we move closer to the season:

  Last season ended in a familiar way for Columbian.

  The Tornadoes were bounced from the state playoffs in the regional quarterfinal round by familiar foe, Avon High School. This marked the second time in as many years that Avon was Columbian’s final opponent in the playoffs and the third time in the last decade.  That Columbian team had plenty to hang their hats on, however, as they finished a perfect 10-0 during the regular season, tallying the program’s first undefeated season since the Tornadoes joined the NOL in 1954. Columbian’s last undefeated season prior was in 1918 when they went 2-0 under head coach John Hutchins.

  The challenge for the Tornadoes in 2013 will be replacing seven players that helped contribute to an offense that averaged over 35 points per game.  Replacing key players like first-team all-district member, Jack Jacoby, could prove to be a daunting task.  The Tornadoes, though, have been known for their ability to re-load talent as opposed to rebuilding in the past 20+ years, as they’ve managed to win at least seven games in every season dating back to 1994.

  Coach Steve Gilbert started the run in his second season as head coach in 1994 and he recorded a 137-44 record. Current head coach Brian Colatruglio took the helm in 2010 and has led the team to at least ten wins in each of his three seasons. Colatruglio’s record with the team is 32-6.

  Columbian’s offense ranked second in the NOL last season, but more impressively their defense was first, giving up an average of 13.9 points per game.  Senior all-district first teamer, Isiah Moore, will lead the Tornadoes on the defensive line. He will be helped my linebacker returnees Ryan Lynch and Jace Hurt.

 Offensively, Lynch will shoulder more of the load, after averaging over six yards per carry last season and finishing with over 500 yards and six touchdowns. Donovan Walker is the frontrunner to move to quarterback and to take over the wildcat role that Jack Jacoby made famous the last two seasons. Walker had four-reception touchdowns and two on the ground on long runs. The offense will look similar to the way that it has in the past couple seasons and if some of the inexperienced players can step in, the Tornadoes just may be able to re-load once again to win their seventh NOL title in the last nine years.

  Remember to come back in the near future to check out our Tiffin Calvert preview and some more information, news and interviews about both teams!