The tradition of winning continued in 2016 for the Columbia Raiders, a team that last season won the Stripes Division of the Patriot Athletic Conference, going 8-2 on the year, 5-0 in conference play.
They played a classic in the first round of the playoffs, losing to New Middletown Spring 40-39 in double overtime, ending a solid campaign.
As head coach of the Raiders, Jason Ward has been successful in going 78-38 as he enters his 12th season manning the sidelines for Columbia.
He’s excited once again about the squad that will take the field on Friday night against Independence, looking to take the Raiders to another level in 2017.
“Last year we had a lot of sophomores on the field, and we were able to win some games, but it’s important to know that you have to do the work,” Ward said. “You get what you pay for in this game, and the kids understand the value of hard work, and I appreciate that about them.”
One thing that Ward preaches is the fact that one year’s record doesn’t mean another the following year, and the hard work has to start all over again.
“I think it’s important to let them know, especially at a small school, that one year doesn’t translate to another,” Ward said. “When you have different faces a lot of times, sometimes 40 different kids, it doesn’t mean a whole heck of a lot, the tradition does.”
The Raiders averaged over 40 points a game two seasons ago, and last year again put up about 30 points per contest. With workhorse running back Brandon Coleman, the Raiders again look to have a high powered offense in 2017.
“When you have a 1700 yard back coming back, and you have four of your five linemen coming back, the running game is pretty exciting,” Ward said. “I’m an old school guy like that, and it’s going to be one of our biggest strengths.”
There’s a number of players that should be able to help the Raiders continue their success this season, including seniors defensive tackle Matt Caraballo, center Nolan Miller and running back Adam Alten.
It’s a group that has played together for a long time, and has gotten use to keeping each other humble as the team doesn’t look past the next week’s game.
“Our philosophy has always been go 1-0 every week,” Ward said. “There’s a reason for that, if you do drop a game you have to forget about it pretty fast. Our biggest rival is the next opponent we play, win or lose, I think that’s kept us grounded.”
Fairview and Clearview remain the top two teams that will challenge the Raiders in the Stripes Division, but if Columbia plays the way they have the last few seasons, they once again should be preparing for the postseason come week 10.
2017 Schedule
8/25 7:00p Independence (Independence, OH)
Location: Columbia High School
9/1 7:00p @ Kirtland (Kirtland, OH)
Location: Kirtland High School
9/8 7:00p Northwestern (West Salem, OH)
Location: Columbia High School
9/15 7:00p @ Keystone (La Grange, OH)
Location: Keystone High School
9/22 7:00p Buckeye (Medina, OH)
Location: Columbia High School
9/29 7:00p @ Lutheran West (Rocky River, OH)
Location: Lutheran West High School
10/6 TBA Clearview (Lorain, OH)
Location: Columbia High School
10/13 7:00p Brooklyn (Brooklyn, OH)
Location: Columbia High School
10/20 7:00p @ Fairview (Fairview Park, OH)
Location: Fairview High School
10/27 7:00p @ Oberlin (Oberlin, OH)
Location: Oberlin High School
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