By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

Ryan Kohler’s career night turned out to be a record-setting night for the Springfield Tigers.

The senior rushed for 408 yards and eight touchdowns, while the Tigers racked up 534 yards of total offensive as they defeated Columbiana, 63-35 Friday in Inter Tri-County League, Tier One action at Harvey S. Firestone Park.

Kohler’s career night included 312 yards and six scores in the first half, as the Tigers (4-1, 2-0) built a 36-14 advantage and never looked back.

“None of this happens without the solid play of my offensive line,” Kohler said. “They provided protection for the entire backfield all night long and you could have driven a car through some of the holes that they opened.

“It feels good to put up those numbers but even better to share them knowing that it was an overall team effort.”

Kohler scored on runs of nine, 60, three and eight in the first quarter. Of his 34 carries, 10 were for 10-yards or better.

Columbiana’s Dalton Miller answered Kohler’s first score by returning the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7. That’s as close as they would get the rest of the way.

The Tigers’ Nate Simboli also caught a 63-yard scoring strike from Graham Mincher in the opening quarter.

Dylan Davin’s 15-yard pass from Mitch Davidson was the other Columbiana (3-2, 1-1) score.

“For a quarterback, it’s definitely easier to bark signals when you have that kind of lead,” Mincher said. “Our running game opened up our passing game and made it a whole lot easier for everyone.”

Springfield tight end Mark Schuler said it’s very special when the offensive line plays a key role in a record-setting night.

“We’re playing really well as a team right now and that’s most evident when you look at tonight’s final numbers,” he said. “We got off to great start, got a little tired at the end of the first half and while we shot ourselves in the foot a couple times at the beginning of the second half, we were able to make the necessary adjustments in order to maintain the lead.”

Two touchdown receptions by Columbiana’s Jacob Ward cut the Tigers lead to 50-28 heading to the fourth.

“Springfield is a very good football team with excellent senior leadership and veterans that are game-tested,” said Clippers coach Bob Spaite. “We’re young and we were exposed tonight.

“We can score with anyone, but defensively we have so many holes that needed filled with players lost to graduation. We make no excuses and could easily have folded our tent, but this is a team that never quits and has gotten better since our first game of the season.”

The last two scores by Kohler and another touchdown reception by the Clippers’ Davin rounded out the scoring.

“Our kids came out on a mission and the intensity that you saw on display is the same intensity we have in practice,” said Tigers coach Sean Guerriero. “We didn’t have any turnovers, our defense ran to the football and everyone contributed on both sides of the ball.

“You saw our run game on display, but we also have a passing game as well and that’s the balance we like to have.”