The undefeated (11-0) Liberty Center Tigers went up against a strong one-loss (10-1) Liberty-Benton Eagles team and stifled the L-B offense in key situations in an OHSAA Division V football playoff game on Kip Kern Field at Rex Lingruen Stadium for a 35-0 victory on Friday night. The visiting eagles were able to move the ball in between the 20-yard lines, mainly with their passing game, but were stopped twice on interceptions close to the Liberty Center goal line and turned the ball over five times in the contest.
On offense, the Tigers stuck to what they do best, run the ball. They scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half, both by sophomore Garrison Kruse, a 58-yard run around the right side in the first quarter and a 15-yard scamper around the left side in the second quarter to give LC a 14-0 halftime lead. In the second half, the Tigers recovered a fumble on the Eagle’s 37-yard line and extended their advantage to 21-0 when quarterback Grady Miller later scored from 19-yards out. Waylon Rentz sealed the win in the final quarter with scoring runs of 42 and 43 yards.
Liberty Center totaled 414 yards of offense with 411 coming on the ground. Rentz picked up 230 yards of that total and Kruse ran for 151 yards. Ian Rosebrook converted all five PAT attempts. Liberty-Benton had 241 yards of total offense and even had more than double the time of possession in the first half but self-destructed with too many turnovers.
The Tigers (12-0) will now go on the road for the rest of the playoffs with all remaining games to be played at neutral sites. The next game will be a third-round rematch against the Oak Harbor Rockets. Last year Liberty Center defeated the 12-0 Rockets 45-14 at Clay High School. This year the game will be played at Maumee High School on Friday, November 15th at 7:00 pm.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game and halftime band performance. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Quarterback Grady Miller celebrates his 19-yard touchdown run
This past Friday morning, ahead of the official Veterans Day on Monday, November 11th, the Swanton Local School District honored local military veterans with a celebration held at the high school. Swanton educator, Joe Nye, served as Master of Ceremonies and introduced the keynote speakers, Swanton residents Senior Master Sergeant (SMSGT) Derek Kania and retired Master Sergeant (MSGT) Cathleen Kania. Derek and Cathleen (Cat) are husband and wife, having met while both were deployed in Iraq from different military units, and reside in Swanton.
Below are their bios that were contained in the event’s program:
Derek Kania (SMSGT) – Senior Master Sergeant Kania is a highly experienced and dedicated leader currently serving as Operations Superintendent of the 108th Security Forces Squadron. With a team of 75 personnel under his charge, he expertly manages the operations of three shifts, totaling 39 individuals assigned to the full-time force. He has also been assigned to the 927th and 914th Security Forces Squadron, providing him with a unique perspective and understanding of how other operations operate and achieve their goals. SMSgt Kania’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the field are the result of his diverse background, which includes serving as a Combat Arms instructor and program manager, as well as the Unit Deployment Manager and Supply NCO.
Additionally, he has served as a pre-deployment instructor at Fort Bliss (El Paso), Texas, training individuals to go overseas. SMSgt Kania’s experience also includes numerous deployments to locations such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, as well as time spent at the MAJCOM level as a member of the Future operations Cell in Ramstein, Germany. His dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to the 180th Security Forces Squadron and the United Staes Air Force. Derek is also serving as member of the Village Council in Swanton, currently as President of the Council.
Cathleen Kania (Retired MSGT) – Retired Master Sergeant Cathleen Kania enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on April 5, 2002. Earlyin her career, Cathleen played pivotal roles in various significant operations, including Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, she worked as a Tactical Automated Security System Operator. While there she monitored a 16-kilometer perimeter with over 190 sensors, ensuring the security of $16 million in equipment and the safety of 5,000 Coalition Forces. Throughout her career, Cathleen exhibited exceptional leadership and organizational acumen. In January of 2016, MSgt Kania deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In Kuwait, she was assigned to review and completely rewrite the Installation Defense Plan, a critical document which outlined the security protection operations to ensure the safety and security of over 2,100 Coalition personnel on the installation.
Cathleen’s commitment to her peers continued at the 180th Fighter Wing, where she excelled as a Unit Training Manager for the Maintenance Squadron and then a Unit Career Advisor for the Security Forces Squadron, providing guidance on re-enlistments and career development. Retiring after a remarkable tenure, Cathleen leaves a legacy of service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to her fellow Airmen, community and the mission of the Air Force. “Cat” also owns and operates CK Sweets, a Coffee and Bake Shop on Main Street in Swanton.
Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: SMSgt Derek Kania addresses the crowd as his wife, retired MSgt Cathleen “Cat” Kania waits to speak next.
A ribbon cutting was held at Oncore Brewing, a craft brewery located at 14249 Airport Highway in Swanton in the small strip mall just west of McDonalds last Saturday to introduce a major addition to their beverage menu. Oncore Brewing opened its doors in the Summer of 2022 and quickly became a “go to” destination for beer lovers in the area. Owner and Master Brewer Kieth Baker and his wife Sheena turned a long-time vacant space into a warm and welcoming place for area residents to stop in alone or with friends and quench their thirst from a large selection of great-tasting craft beers brewed right on the site. And now, there is more.
Keith has created a drink menu filled with deliciously unique ales, lagers, stouts and porters, each with a distinctive flavor and a very creative name that will not let you forget it the next time you come in. For example, you can sample Coffee, Stills and Mash, a blonde ale infused with coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Or The Dark Order: Porter, an American porter. Maybe the Swantucky Slammer, an American lager. Perhaps the Nitro Stout, an Irish dry stout. Possibly, if you have a good lawyer, Smells Like Divorce Papers, a sweet apple ale infused with honey, cherry and grape might be more to your liking.
However, after two years of a relatively steady business, Keith decided it was time to offer adult beverages for the non-beer drinker. “Times are changing. The craft beer industry has, at the very least peaked and has started to trend down in the other direction. You can only hear so much of your customers coming in here and saying, ‘Hey. It’s six o’clock. We’re going to meet our friends somewhere,’ and we could keep those customers if we had something other than beer,” he explained.
With this concept in mind, Keith worked with the Toledo Spirits Company, which manufactures craft spirits, for about five months and developed a Signature Cocktail Menu which included Margaritas, Martinis, Mimosas, Manhattans and much more. Oncore uses approximately 90% of Toledo Spirits liquor in their cocktails and the early reviews have been very positive. “You can see it in their face,” said Keith. “You say to someone, ‘Try this,’ and when you see their face light up and you see how fast they drink, you know you are doing some good things.” The reaction has been very similar to what he sees from his beer-drinking clients. There are also five “Mocktails” as well.
Mr. Baker also has expansion plans that extend far beyond offering cocktails to growing clientele. Somewhere in the near future he wants add a kitchen to cook and serve food, which will require additional space. Currently, for customers that would enjoy food with their drinks, one of many local food trucks is parked out behind the business every night they are open. Customers are also allowed to bring in their own food, whether it be from home or from the Subway next door or anywhere else.
Oncore Brewing has one major advantage over other bars and restaurants with respect to their beer sales. They can sell their products, in kegs of course, to other establishments that serve alcohol such as the Swanton Sports Center and Benfield Wines. Outside sales is a significant part of their revenue. Live entertainment is also offered on many evenings.
For those curious about the business’s unique name, Oncore Brewing, it is a tribute to Keith’s late father, Kenny, who was a drummer in local bands around the Rising Sun, Ohio area. Both Keith and Kenny shared a passion for music and beer. At the end of a gig, Kenny’s band would play an encore after he would announce, “One More N We’re Goin!” The “E” in encore is replaced by an “O” which represents the power button on the sound equipment used by the band members. You can see more of the tribute reflected in the interior design and their outside marquee and with their beer tap handles, which are all drum sticks.
Oncore Brewing is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from Noon to 8:30 pm. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Check out their website at oncorebrewing.com for their beverage menus, food truck schedule and special events.
Click on the link above to access photos from the event. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO Charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Keith and Sheena cut the ribbon for their Grand Re-Opening
Click on the link above to access photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
For a moment. A very brief moment. It appeared that the 15th seed Utica Redskins would provide some competition for the heavily favored Liberty Center Tigers in their first round OHSAA Division VI Football match-up at Rex Lingruen Stadium on Friday night. The visiting Redskins took the opening kickoff, picked up two first downs then buried the Tigers down at their six-yard line on a punt when their drive stalled.
However, reality struck, and struck hard, in the form of a Thomas Mohler 94-yard touchdown run on Liberty’s first play from scrimmage and the Tigers would blitz the Redskins for 34 first quarter points on their way to a 58-6 lopsided victory. The Liberty Center offense was so dominant they would only need three more plays to score their next two touchdowns. A dropped pass on an attempted two-point conversion was their only mistake after a Waylon Rentz 18-yard score. Utica had no answer for the unstoppable Tiger running attack. Garrison Kruse had a 3-yard touchdown run and Rentz ran 33-yards into the end zone for the final first half offensive score. Another major factor in LC scoring was the many failed fourth down attempts by the Redskins, several in their own territory, giving the high-powered Tiger offense short fields to work on.
Adding to the LC offense on the scoreboard were two pick-six scores, the first by Cam Kahl from 38 yards out for the 34-0 lead, and the second by Jackson Bartels who went the distance from 43 yards out and sent the Tigers into the locker room with a 51-0 halftime lead.
Due to Liberty Center’s lead of 30 or more points, the second half was played with a running clock. In the third quarter, Max Perry hit Tyler Rohrs with a 4-yard scoring pass to complete the Tigers’ scoring with 58 points. Utica finally got on the board when quarterback Hayden Piper ran the ball in from four yards out to cap an 11-play 79-yard touchdown drive.
Liberty Center had 410 yards of total offense with 361 yards coming on the ground. Mohler had 150 yards on just six carries and Rentz added 114 on five attempts. Ian Rosebrook was a perfect 8 for 8 on PATs and booted a 34-yard field goal for a total of 11 points. Utica totaled 179 yards of total offense, led by Piper’s 157 yards through the air.
The playoff victory places the #2-seeded Tigers’ record on the year at 11-0. They will next welcome in the #6-seeded Liberty Benton Eagles next Friday at 7:00 pm. The Eagles defeated Fairview Park Fairview 37-0 to advance to the next round.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Waylon Rentz breaks away from the Utica defense for a 33-yard touchdown
On a sunny Fall afternoon, just a few days before the official Halloween date and Trick-or-Treat in the Village of Swanton, the Swanton Lions Club presented the Halloween Hoopla for residents and visitors from all around Northwest Ohio. The Halloween Hoopla has long been the family social event of the Fall season, packing Main Street with bouncy houses, pedal carts, dancers and, of course, children, as well as adults, dressed for the festive occasion.
Everyone was treated to free hot dogs from Benfield Wines, doughnuts and cider from the Swanton Fire and Rescue Department, popcorn from the Lions Club, and candy from the many downtown businesses that lined up on the sidewalks. You could also step into the Swanton Board of Education building and decorate your own delicious sugar cookies. A disc jockey filled the area with great music and the dance troupe performed their traditional version of the classic Michael Jackson video “Thriller”.
The Swanton Lions would like to thank all who were involved in creating and organize this great event, including the local businesses, the Swanton Police Department, the Swanton Village Public Works Department and the Village of Swanton Administration. The Club will now turn their attention to their Giving Tree Program for the upcoming holidays.
Click on the link above to access phots from the Halloween Hoopla . Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website and the Swanton Lions Club.
For the final time in his illustrious 39-year career, Chris Lyons directed the Evergreen Marching Vikings onto the turf at Pifer Field.
Click on the link to access photos from the halftime show featuring the Delta and Evergreen marching bands. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and an be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
It took 40 years, approximately 400 games, and even two overtimes, but the Evergreen Vikings team finally qualified for the OHSAA football playoffs with an instant classic 27-21 victory at Pifer Field over NWOAL rival, the Delta Panthers. Delta entered the contest with a 6-3 record, but most importantly, having won all three of their non-conference games which provided Evergreen much needed computer points to reach the post season.
Early on, the Vikings took control, jumping out in front on two Bryce Bolger touchdown passes, the first a 37-yard strike to Colton Robertson followed by a 25-yard completion to Will Ruetz. Alex Mossing converted both extra points to give Evergreen a 14-0 lead. Delta responded with a 3-yard run by Landon Lintermoot and a Brody Roth PAT to pull the Panthers within 14-7 after one quarter.
There was no further scoring in the game until approximately halfway through the fourth quarter when Lintermoot went over from 2-yards out and the extra point tied the game at 14-14. Late in the contest, the Panthers drove down inside the 10-yard line and faced a third down and three yards to go with just 10 seconds left on the clock. Delta was positioned to either push the ball into the end zone or, falling short, attempt a field goal by the sure-footed Roth. However, disaster struck when they fumbled the ball with the Vikings recovering, essentially sending the game into overtime.
Delta took the ball first in the extra session and scored in four plays on a 7-yard run by Richard Flores III to take a 21-14 lead. It took Evergreen six plays, the last an 8-yard rush by Max Mossing to tie the game at 21 all. By rule, the Vikings took possession again and scored on an 8-yard scamper around the right side by Robertson. After the PAT attempt was blocked, Evergreen held a 27-21 advantage. The Panthers picked up a quick first down but were then stuffed by Isaiah Pasco and the rest of the Viking front line on four straight rushing attempts setting off a wild celebration by the Evergreen faithful.
The Delta offense racked up 404 total yards with 342 of that coming on the ground, but was hampered by four lost fumbles. Lintermoot carried the ball 31 times for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Victor Martinez had 82 yards on seven rushes and Marcus Nagle ran 10 times for 72 yards. Panther quarterback Emric Freiss was 3 of 8 for 62 yards.
Evergreen had a balanced offense with 180 yards in the air and 142 yards on the ground for a total of 322. Bulger had 13 completions on 26 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. Robertson hauled in eight passes for 108 yards and one touchdown. Max Mossing led the ground attack with 57 yards on 13 carries. Robertson ran five times for 34 yards and Bolger picked up 31 yards on 12 carries.
Delta finishes the regular season with a 6-4 overall record and 3-4 in the NWOAL. The Panthers qualified for the 13th seed in Region 18 of the OHSAA Division V football playoffs and will travel to Creston to meet the 4th-seeded Norwayne Bobcats at 7:00 pm this Friday, November 1st. Evergreen also finishes the regular season with a 6-4 record overall and a 4-3 record in the league, good for a third-place tie with Archbold. The Vikings qualified for the 13th seed in Region 22 of the OHSAA Division VI football playoffs and will travel to Hamler to face fellow NWOAL foe, the Patrick Henry Patriots at 7:00 pm this Friday, November 1st.
Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded fore NMO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
The Swanton Bulldogs concluded their 2024 football campaign with a 39-0 loss to the Patrick Henry Patriots at home. Swanton finishes their season with a league record of 0-7 and 0-10 overall. Patrick Henry ends the regular season with a record of 8-2 and 6-1 in the NWOAL, good enough for second place behind the Liberty Center Tigers. The Patriots qualified for a home state playoff game next week against the Evergreen Vikings.
Click on the link above to access photos from the night including the game, band and cheerleading. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Marquise Zalecki hauls in a Lucas Wilson pass for a long gain
After reaching the OHSAA Girls Soccer District Championship match for the first time in school history, the Evergreen Lady Vikings added to their storied season with a thrilling 1-0 victory over fellow NWOAL rival, the Delta Lady Panthers, and punched their ticket to the DV Regional Semi-Finals next Tuesday in Port Clinton. The match, held at Evergreen High School’s Pifer Field, had the 4th-seeded Lady Vikes as the “visitors” on the scoreboard to the 1st-seeded “home team” the 2024 NWOAL Champion Lady Panthers. Evergreen had reached this unprecedented level after a 2-1 win over the 2nd-seeded and perennial power Archbold Lady Blue Streaks.
Despite a regular season loss to Delta back in September, the Lady Vikings played with confidence and showed no signs of being intimidated. Late in the first half, freshman sensation Addison Gleckler out maneuvered the defense in front of the Panther goal and fired a shot high into the back of the net at the 11:16 mark for the game’s only score. “You give her a little space and you’re in trouble. She takes a step and a hard shot is coming,” Ott remarked on Glecker’s game winner.
For the rest of the half and well into the second, the teams battled back and forth with no clear advantage by either side. However, as Viking coach Jacob Ott knew, the Lady Panthers had earned their lofty seeding and would not be going down easily. “We knew they had some great forwards and they were going to come out firing. We talked about it at halftime that we just had to play our game,” said Coach Ott explaining his team’s second half strategy. “We didn’t want to change our game plan just because of the score and that’s exactly what we did.”
In the final 20 minutes, the Delta offense was relentless in putting pressure on the Evergreen defense and goalie Ellie Nash. The Viking defenders harassed the Panther shooters into many missed or weak shot shots on goal and Nash was aggressive in guarding the net, intercepting several centering passes inside the box. “Our defense, they really don’t get the credit they deserve. Those back four, all seniors, they’re out to prove a point their last year and they showed that tonight. They deserve all the credit in the world. They’re strong defenders and the can take on anyone,” said Ott.
Coach Ott also acknowledged the contributions of Lady Viking soccer teams that came before this championship group. “We’ve got to give some credit to the teams of the past. They built a great culture here at Evergreen. We don’t always get the respect that we deserve but we proved that today, that we deserve some respect,” he said.
The history making victory was the 13th of the season for Evergreen against five losses and two ties. The Lady Vikings will now travel to Port Clinton to face the Columbus Grove Lady Bulldogs at True-Lay Stadium. Game time is 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 29th.
Click 0n the link above to access photos from the match. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Evergreen Lady Vikings – OHSAA District V Girls Soccer Champions
Fulton County Ohio Media 