Clippers outlast M. Ridge, 26-24

Columbiana held off the Rams to advance to the regional final.
BY ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Columbiana High football coach Bob Spaite was so excited that he could barely remember his own name.
When the scoreboard wound down with his team ahead 26-24, the longtime head coach sprinted onto the field, shook hands and led his team in a round of jumping jacks.
"I had this big speech prepared for you guys, but I'm actually speechless," said Spaite, after Columbiana fought off Mineral Ridge 26-24 in a Division VI regional semifinal contest at Boardman Spartan Stadium Saturday night.
"This win is so sweet right now that it's hard for me to remember all the other wins in my career. We were without three defensive starters and we're beat up. This group of overachievers just played their hearts out tonight."
Columbiana (11-1) advanced to a Region 21 championship game next Saturday against Steubenville Catholic Central at a site to be announced today.
Three starters out
Playing without the services of defensive starters Mackie McGarry (linebacker), Chris McIntyre (tackle) and Tony Giannone (defensive back), Spaite was concerned about stopping Mineral Ridge's vaunted rushing attack.
"I thought we could win -- maybe," he said. "Those kids over there are great football players. We just did what we needed to do and took advantage of that first turnover. I don't know what else to say."
With the Clippers leading 26-24 with 4:48 left in the contest, Mineral Ridge attempted -- and converted -- an onside kick. Wade Campbell pounced on the ball at the Columbiana 49 with 4:43 remaining.
Missed field goal
The Rams drove to the Columbiana 37 with 28 seconds left and facing a fourth-and-19, lined up for a potential game-winning 49-yard field goal.
Nick Ciavarella's attempt was short and Columbiana took over and ran out the clock.
Columbiana quarterback Mike Welce was the catalyst on offense, rolling up 166 yards rushing on 18 carries. He scored two rushing touchdowns and threw for a score.
Mike Winters did the dirty work, pounding out 95 yards on 19 carries, most of that straight up the middle.
"Welce is a warrior," said Spaite. "He's been doing this all year for us. And Papania and Winters just pound it in there and wear other teams down."
Welce leads way
With Columbiana in front 12-10 at the half, Welce busted a 48-yard run on the first play of the third quarter. After three runs by Joe Winters, Welce pounded his way up the middle for a 7-yard touchdown to give Columbiana a 19-10 lead with 9:14 remaining in the third stanza.
Mineral Ridge's John Hack scored from 44 yards out to cut the deficit to 19-17 with 6:18 left in the third.
The turning point came with 2:50 left in the third quarter. The Columbiana defense forced Mineral Ridge to punt on fourth-and-11. The punt traveled minus 9 yards and the Clippers took over with prime field position at their own 49.
Columbiana's offense took control. The unit held the ball for 8:53, keeping the ball on the ground and in the hands of Winters and Welce. The Clippers drove 51 yards in 17 plays. The effort was capped by Welce's 1-yard TD plunge on fourth-and-1. That padded Columbiana's lead to 26-17.
But Mineral Ridge went to the passing game and bolted 55 yards in just 1:11 to get within 26-24 with 4:38 left on a 14-yard pass from Keirsey to Nick Dominic.