Just the facts
Conference: LC8
OHSAA: Division VI, Region 22 finalist
Coach: Jason Ward, 18th year (125-61)
2022: 13-1 (7-0) Division VI Region 22
Twitter:@_CHSFootball
Home Field: Columbia Raiders Stadium
Schedule (subject to change)
Aug. 18: Independence at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25: Columbia at Fairview, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: West Salem Northwestern at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Columbia at Firelands, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Columbia at Keystone, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: Oberlin at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: Columbia at Wellington, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Clearview at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Brookside at Columbia, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: Columbia at Black River, 7 p.m.
Projected lineup
OFFENSE
QB: Ethan Meier, Sr., 6-1, 190
TB: Marco Cirigliano*, Sr., 5-10, 190
FB: Brian Jones, Sr., 5-10, 185
WR: Jacob Sanders*, Sr., 5-8, 165
TE: Gavin Tollett, Sr., 6-2, 215
WR: Jimmy Stofey, So., 5-9, 170
LT: Chase Voge*, Jr., 6-4, 250
LG: CJ Dupaski*, Sr., 5-10, 220
C: Fred Goebel, Sr., 5-9, 225
RG: Dan Maiorino, Jr., 6-0, 215
RT: Nathan Chapman*, Jr., 6-0, 260
K: Jack Washburn, Fr., 5-9, 165
DEFENSE
DE: Gavin Tollett*, Sr., 6-2, 215
NG: Ben Bowling, Sr., 6-0, 275
DE: Nathan Chapman, Jr., 6-0, 260
OLB: Marco Cirigliano*, Sr., 5-10, 190
ILB: Gage Maruna, Jr., 6-0, 185
ILB: CJ Dupaski, Sr., 5-10, 220
OLB: Jimmy Stofey, So., 5-9, 170
CB: Danny Corrigan*, Sr., 5-11, 170
S: Isaac Ciryak, Sr., 6-1, 170
S: Jacob Sanders*, Sr., 5-8, 165
CB: Matt Pring*, Sr., 5-9, 165
P: Ambrose Beach, Fr., 5-8, 165
*. returning starter; Returning letterwinners: 22; Key reserves: Alex Andrews, Fr., 5-10, 215, Mason Goodman, Jr., 5-10, 195, Chase Voge, Jr., 6-4, 250, Jose Rivera, So., 5-9, 185
Best bench press: Chase Voge, 295 pounds
Best 40 time: Marco Cirigliano, 4.62 seconds
Best squat: Nate Chapman, 415 pounds
Outlook
The Raiders went unbeaten in the 2022 regular season, capturing a conference crown and falling a game short of the state final four. Marco Cirigliano was the engine of the offense a year ago with over 2,500 yards rushing. He has three returning starters from last year’s offensive line and the Raiders sport an experienced secondary. It’ll be fascinating to see how Columbia follows up a 13-1 campaign.
Player to watch
Marco Cirigliano was one of the top 10 rushers in Ohio last year, recording 45 total touchdowns. The All-Ohioan and Division VI co-offensive player of the year is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Underclassman to watch: Jimmy Stofey will be a jack of all trades as a sophomore, working as a pass catcher and linebacker for Columbia. He’s earned high praise from coach Jason Ward.
Bottom Line
IF: The new starters can fill the void left by graduated seniors, THEN: Columbia can run the table again in the LC8 and make a deep playoff run.
