Instead of Genoa’s possible run to the state football playoffs, this

tilt refers to senior drummer Chance Champion, senior trumpeter Rian Nissen, highly-decorated senior drum majors Nikki Habel and Jim Posey, veteran director Briann "Mr. Ed" Edwards, and the 65 musicians who make up the Fighting Genoa Comets' Marching Band.

Edwards and assistant director and drum line major-domo Doug Asher agree this is one of the most memorable groups in Genoa band history.

Because as the post-season's weeks roll along, one can visibly see these marching Comets get just as jacked up for these playoffs as their brothers-in-arms wearing the helmets with the venerable, old "Gs."

It started with Comets' head coach, "Iron" Mike Vicars a little over three years ago, just before a game against Oak Harbor.

"Yeah, I remember it clearly, it was that first Friday night three years ago, when Coach Vicars came out to us, and told us, 'Hey, this is a joint effort, guys. We're here, and playing for you. And we know in turn, that you're here, and playing for us'," marvels "Mr. Ed," a 1984 graduate of Genoa High and alum of the music education program at Bowling Green State University.

Edwards later went on to teach music at Put-In-Bay School on South Bass Island for five years, before finally taking the last boat back home to G-Town, where for 16 years now he's served at times as an assistant director for the marching band under longtime friend and mentor William, a.k.a. "Mr. W.," Woycitsky.

Then Edwards became choir director before being promoted to the band's head gig in 2002.

"So, here at Genoa Schools, our philosophy is that it's not just about the band. It's not just about the football team. And it's not just about the cheerleaders, or what have you. But instead, it's all about our school, and about every Friday night being a community event. Which we think really brings us all together as a family. Because we really are all in this together, as one big family," Edwards continued.

"My opinion is, these kids in our community have always had this whole ‘'togetherness-kind-of-mindset,' and they've always had it in them to excel at whatever they've chosen to do," concurs Asher, a 1979 GHS grad.

Asher is a one-time student at BGSU, Owens College, and the University of Toledo, who first came away with a business degree, and then took over the Comet Drumline in '99, before accepting the assistant's position from Edwards seven years ago.

Asher continues, "Then Coach Vicars came along, and became that perfect person to bring all of that out in them. I mean, these kids are all great kids, and we've all always known that. They've always been more than willing to stand together, and lend a hand, and to help do anything necessary to make things better for their band, their teams, and their school, and it's just tremendous that Coach Vicars has taken the time to come out to the band field, to talk to our kids.

“But that's just who he is. He's a genuine person. And I think he's done a marvelous job since he's been here. He makes these kids feel like they're a part of this whole playoff buzz. It's the whole atmosphere of the big game, and the stands filling up, and the fans who come to support us from the community. To me, he makes it seem like it's important to him, too, for us to be able to showcase what we do, and all the hard work we as a band put into Friday nights.

"And I'll absolutely agree, we as the Genoa Band do get just as pumped up for these games as the football team, even though we don't get to hit things like the players do," quips Edwards.

"Okay, maybe our drummers do, but these kids all obviously get very excited about taking to the field, and performing for these fans every Friday, and I think if they didn't feel that way, they wouldn't be here. They start getting pumped during the week right about the time I stop yelling. But we practice three different shows, including our pre-game, the show we're performing that week, and then maybe even the show we're going to do the following week, so it's a constant state of alertness with these kids. They're proud of what they do, just like the football team is. They want to make their school and their community proud. It's that Genoa pride, that's trickled down from Coach Vicars, to his players, to our band, to the cheerleaders, and into the fans."

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Genoa band members are just serious about their music, but also about supporting Genoa’s football playoff run as they did here in 2008. (Press file photo by Harold Hamilton/www.hehphotos.com)

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