In 2021, Columbia Coach Jason Ward watched the Division VI state semifinal between Carey and New Middletown Springfield.
“They played up in (Euclid). It was snowing. I remember being in my garage thinking ‘Man, I hope I never have to run into something like (Carey) and there we were (on Nov. 3),” Ward said.
Fast forward to this year’s Division VI, Region 22 quarterfinals on Nov. 3. Columbia met Carey on Carey’s turf, which resulted in a 48-0 loss to end the Raiders’ season against the 2021 Division VI State champions.
Carey (10-2) advanced to a Division VI, Region 22 semifinal to play defending regional champion and top seed Columbus Grove (10-2) on Nov. 10.
According to Ward, Carey had significant numbers suiting up. Carey rushed for 390 yards on the ground, with running back Eli Steen gaining 154.
The Raiders were overwhelmed in the first half and trailed, 35-0. Columbia’s offense was held to 60 yards.
The conclusion of the 2023 season also marked the end of an era for a significant senior class that helped achieve deep playoff runs and Lorain County League championship banner seasons.
In the last three years, Columbia had a 6-3 playoff record, reached its first regional final, had a combined 34-5 record, a 19-game regular-season winning streak and a 14-game LC8 winning streak.
“I would describe (the past three years) better than pretty good …” Ward said. “You make it to a regional final game when nobody in our conference has really come close to that in 20 years. I think that it’s been a great run for these seniors. I think we had a great year and that we made the most out of what we had.”
