Clippers keep rolling, top Springfield, 31-14

Adam Fast combined for nearly 200 yards in Columbiana's victory.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- These are fast times at Columbiana High.
For the second week in a row, quarterback Adam Fast has sparked the Tri-County League Clippers past non-conference foes on the road.
Fast scored three touchdowns on runs of 1, 13, and 5 yards to lead Columbiana (2-0) past the Springfield Tigers, 31-14.
Last week, the Clippers knocked off LaBrae, 49-7.
During both wins, the key for Columbiana was the play of the Clippers' 5-foot, nine-inch senior quarterback.
Fast rushed for 110 yards on 21 carries and completed 5 of 8 passes for 83 yards. He also rushed for a two-point conversion and passed for another as Columbiana handed Springfield its second straight loss.
In two games, Fast has scored six touchdowns, rushed for 175 yards and completed 9 of 14 passes for 187 yards.
"He's somethin'," said Columbiana coach Bob Spaite of his quarterback. "All this kid does is win. He is a winner. He just makes plays.
"What you saw out there tonight was Adam making things happen."
Quick start
Fast started quickly and had the Clippers on the board early in the second quarter after keying a 15-play, 80-yard drive.
He completed two passes on the drive and also ran five times before scoring on a 1-yard run to give Columbiana a 6-0 lead.
The Tigers responded with a six-play, 59-yard drive to grab their only lead of the game.
Springfield scored when quarterback Mason McCambridge fumbled the ball into the end zone and lineman Adam Persing fell on the ball for a touchdown.
Luke Summers' conversion kick gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead.
It was all Columbiana after that.
Fast scored before halftime on a 13-yard run that completed a seven-play, 70-yard drive.
The Clippers scored in the third quarter on Fast's third scoring run and put points on the board in the fourth quarter on Tye Crider's 25-yard interception return for a score and Eric Birnesser's 31-yard field goal.
Closing it out
Sophomore Andrew Schuler, brother of former Springfield standouts Jim and Dan Schuler, led the Tigers on a score in the final period.
Schuler scored on a 5-yard run and finished with 60 yards rushing. He completed 2 of 6 passes for 16 yards but threw a late interception.
Overall, Columbiana had 294 total yards and made 17 first downs to control the football most of the game.
The Clipper defense kept the Tigers offense in check.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight," Spaite said. "We try to take your best weapons away and make your other guys beat us and I think we did that effectively tonight."
Columbiana held Springfield's tailback Melio Rios to minus-2 yards rushing on six carries.
Springfield's Toby Culler caught five passes for 65 yards.