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Before the football season began, Eastwood coach Jerry Rutherford stated that until someone can defeat Genoa, the Comets should remain league favorites.
Genoa had won four straight Suburban Lakes League championships and six of eight Northern Buckeye Conference coaches picked the Comets to win the inaugural NBC title.
Until the Comets date with Eastwood in the final week of the season, Genoa had won 48 straight regular season games. Another Genoa win over Eastwood would be the Comet’s fifth straight over the Eagles during the regular season, with the Eagles getting one playoff victory over the Comets during that stretch.
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Jerry Rutherford gets a hug from rival
coach Mike Vicars. (Press photo by
Harold Hamilton/HEHphotos.lifepics.com) |
On Oct. 28, Eastwood rallied to pull out a 25-23 win on quarterback Jake Schmeltz's 33-yard touchdown pass to senior fullback Zach Conkle with less than two minutes left.
“Jake put it right in there,” Rutherford said. “It was a nice throw.”
The win gave the Eagles (10-0, 7-0) their third 10-0 regular season in school history, matching the 1977 and 1988 teams along with the coveted league trophy that had eluded them.
Rutherford has been named Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press Coach of the Year for leading his Eagles to finish what 48 teams before them were unable to do — defeat Genoa. Ten area football coaches and 10 local media members voted, and Rutherford will receive a plaque from the Oregon jewelry store for his effort.
After Eastwood’s loss to No. 2 ranked Columbus Bishop Hartley in the Division IV playoffs, Eagle fans were checking their cell phones to see how Genoa was doing against No. 1-ranked Kenton, which had about one quarter to play at Bowling Green State University’s Doyt Perry Field.
The Comets were winning at one point, and Eastwood fans were heard cheering for the Comets. No doubt, Genoa fans were doing likewise, because if both had won, it would have meant a rematch for the regional championship. Both lost that night, however, and Eastwood finished 11-1, Genoa 10-2.
Even Genoa coach Mike Vicars voted for Rutherford, and he is willing to admit it. The two are friends off the field, which is displayed during prayer after games and at offseason outings.
“I voted for Jerry because I respect him so much and how he conducts himself on an everyday basis,” Vicars said. “He is such a fine man and I consider him a friend.
“I don't believe Jerry thought they would have such a great season, but boy, did they ever. When they beat us (during) week 10 ending an incredible streak...no team and coaching staff could have handled it with more class than they did. What a fine job he and his staff did at Eastwood this year. Hats off to Coach Rutherford.”
Of 20 voters, Rutherford received all but four votes. Also getting votes was Northwood coach Ken James and Gibsonburg coach Steve Reser. James led his team to a 9-2 season and the Toledo Area Athletic Conference championship and Reser took his team from a winless season a year ago to a 5-5 mark in the Golden Bears’ inaugural year in the TAAC.
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Genoa running back Kyle Nutter, Alan Miller Jewelers
Press Offensive Player of the Year, looks for running
room against No. 1 ranked Kenton in a regional final
game at Doyt Perry Stadium (Press photo by Harold
Hamilton/HEHphotos.lifepics.com) |
Vicars got one consolation — his junior running back, Kyle Nutter, is Offensive Player of the Year. Offensively, Genoa’s rushing attack was dominant as Nutter rushed for 1,399 yards on 197 carries (7.1 per-carry) and 25 touchdowns.
“Kyle has been such a workhorse for us the last two years,” Vicars said. “He has been such a kid you can count on day in and day out. He gives you everything he has. His work ethic is second to none, and his willingness to play hurt or sick is unbelievably selfless. He is an amazing kid.
“Having said that, the thing that sticks out most to me is the fact that Kyle is so humble and unassuming regarding his talents. Kyle's No. 1 object is that he wants to perform well so that our team does well. He is quite a young man,” Vicars continued.
Nutter, too, won voting by an overwhelming majority. Also getting votes were two Eastwood running backs and brothers Zach and Isaiah Conkle, Eastwood offensive lineman Kris Hayward, Waite quarterback Johnny Douanglee, Waite running back Kevin Carter, Woodmore quarterback Jon Sandwisch, and Woodmore receiver Cody Lockhart.
Northwood’s 6-0, 224 pound linebacker Nick Whitmore is the Defensive POY, also by a large majority.
Whitmore is a two-time TAAC Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference selection who was a third year starter as a junior. He had 74 initial hits, 32 assists, two interceptions, and Coach James says Whitmore was his best defensive player.
“He has been a leader on defense for us since he came in as a freshman,” James said. “We moved him into the middle linebacker spot his freshman year and he’s just been a great player for us since early in his career.
“We knew when he was younger coming up through the program, he had the potential to be real good. He has worked hard in the weight room. He has worked hard to make himself a better athlete through his whole career, and I think that has gotten him to where he is,” James continued.
“He is also very intelligent in how he approaches the game. He has a real understanding of the opponent’s offense. He knows how to get our entire defense lined up and knows who is supposed to be where and things like that. He’s not only a big, physical and great football player, but he’s also a really smart football player who just does a lot of great things for us.
“Obviously, this year he had a bunch of time at fullback (33 carries, 248 yards, 7.5 per carry, 3 TDs) and had a bunch of big runs in important situations. We’re just excited about the fact that he is a junior.”
Also getting Defensive POY votes were Hayward, Eastwood lineman Bobby Brooks, Genoa defensive end Devin Sibby, Genoa linebacker Nick Keller, Oak Harbor linebacker Joey Mallernee, Waite defensive lineman Kenny Harris, and Clay defensive lineman Jarred Gray.
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