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Photo: More Cowbell
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The Evergreen Vikings Boys Soccer program reached new heights on Saturday afternoon and validated their status as #1 Seed by winning the OHSAA DIII District Championship, outlasting the #2 Seed Maumee Valley Country Day School (MVCDS) Hawks 5-3 at Ottawa Hills High School. Senior forward Riley Dunbar stepped up big in the program’s biggest game in its history by scoring Evergreen’s first three goals, staking the Vikings to a 3-0 lead early in the second half. Dunbar, a two-fall sport athlete, who also plays wide receiver and defensive back on the football team, used his 6’3” height great advantage, scoring two of his three goals on headers. “We tried to move him into spots where he was going to be a little more dangerous. After watching them play Ottawa Hills, it was a great game (MVCDS 2-1 win in 2OT), I knew Maumee Valley was going to be tired so, I told Riley ‘Just go at them, go at ‘em, go at ‘em’,” said Evergreen Coach Dave Scokzyn.
However, the quick and talented Hawks battled back and stunned the Vikings with two goals in a two-minute span to cut the lead to 3-2 with over 31 minutes left in the game. “Definitely wasn’t ideal with them coming back and scoring two goals. The momentum wasn’t in our court,” said 2023 NWOAL Offensive Player of the Year, Tyson Woodring. But we stayed positive out there and kept pushing away. They were rolling there at the end of the half, but we pulled it out.”
In fact, it was Woodring himself who was fouled in the penalty area in front of the MVCDS goal and was awarded a penalty kick. He calmly fired a shot into the back of the net, giving Evergreen back some cushion with a two-goal advantage and providing, what would prove to be, the winning score. The Hawks, winners of the soccer strong Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC), responded with intense pressure on the Viking defense. Following a collision between Evergreen goalie Alex Mossing and a Hawk forward in front of the net, Maumee Valley was awarded a penalty kick and easily converted, making the score 4-3 with more than 26 minutes left on the clock.
The rest of the contest was fast, furious, physical and tension-filled as both teams’ offense generated multiple scoring chances without scoring. Finally, with under a minute left in the game, Konner Sanford found an opening on the right side of the Hawk goal and knocked it in, essentially sealing the deal for the Green & Gold and sending the Vikings to the DIII Regional Semi-Finals for the first time ever.
Evergreen will now travel to Port Clinton to take on Kidron Central Christian at True-Lay Stadium on Wednesday, November 1st, at 7:00 PM. Note: The stadium is not located on the grounds as the high school.
Click on 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 Vikings – 2023 OHSAA DIII Boys District Soccer Champions
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After Archbold linebacker Eddie Yoder scored on a fumble return to give the Blue Streaks an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, the Streaks’ offense came to life in the second quarter, scoring 22 points on its way to a 37-6 victory over the Fredricktown Freddies in round one of the DV OHSAA football playoffs. Jack Hurst found the end zone twice to help power the offense, once on a 46-yard catch-and-run pass from Cade Brenner and another on a 39-yard run around the left side from the wildcat position.
Before the end of the half, Chase Miller intercepted a Freddie pass then later scored from 72 yards out on a pass from Benner. That last touchdown, along with a two-point conversion, gave Archbold a clock-running 30-0 lead going into the second half. The Blue Streaks chewed up most of the running clock in the third quarter with an 11-play drive, ending with another Miller touchdown reception and an unsurmountable 37-0 advantage.
With the playoff win, the Streaks improve their record to 11-1 and advance to the next round. There they will host the 10-1 Coldwater Cavaliers, a 47-0 victor over Indian Lake. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM in Archbold.
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: Stephen Diller (9) and Wyat Ripke force a Freddie fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Eddie Yoder
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The Evergreen Vikings got two goals from leading scorer Tyson Woodring and one from Cory Kanneman to defeat the Lake Flyers 3-1 in a DIII District Semi-Final match at Ottawa Hills High School on Wednesday. Woodring notched his first score with 7:00 minutes left in the first half to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead. It was a lead, however, that was short lived as the Flyers tied the game at the 5:25 mark and the 1-1 score remained until halftime.
The Evergreen coaching staff and the players knew they would have to rely on senior leadership to win this contest in the second half. “At halftime I think I challenged them a little more. We have to rise to the next level. There is no tomorrow. We stressed that and we challenged the boys to pick up our game and I think we did that and we had a little more on the ball,” said Viking Head Coach Scokzyn.
Just 9:20 into the second half, Kanneman drove a long shot through the outstretched hands of the Lake goalie to put the Vikings back on top at 2-1. From there, the Flyers ramped up the pressure on the Evergreen defense and their young but talented freshman goal keeper Alex Mossing, but could not find the back of the net. With time winding down, Woodring scored the clincher on a free kick with 1:42 showing on the clock to send the Vikings to the finals.
“It’s a great accomplishment for them,” said Coach Dave Scokzyn. “We knew Lake was going to be a really good opponent. They’re a very good team, they’re young, they’ll be back here next year. We knew this was going to be a good game. It’s the district semi-final, why shouldn’t it be. We just had to dig deep.”
Evergreen now faces perennial soccer power Maumee Valley Country Day School, a 1-0 double overtime victor over the Ottawa Hills Green Bears in the second game of the evening. The top-seeded Vikings will take on the second-seeded Hawks at on Saturday at Ottawa Hills at the rescheduled time of 12:00 PM.
Click on the link above to access photos from the match. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.
Photo: Viking goalie picks off a centering kick between teammates Tyson Woodring (3) and Jayden Harmon
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The Lady Panthers pelted the Lady Vikings goal with shot after shot in the first half of the DIII Girls District Semi-Final match, but it took a penalty kick from senior Saige Walter to finally send one to the back of the net, giving Delta a 1-0 victory over Evergreen. Viking goalie Hannah Wilson turned in an outstanding performance in the contest, but really had no chance against the Panther sharpshooter who drilled the shot to the far-right side of the goal.
“In a ‘Shootathon’ earlier this year she made 48 out of 50 penalty kicks. She’s our go to girl on PKs,” said Delta coach Paige Triana explaining why Saige was chosen to take the critical shot attempt. The win gave the Panthers, in addition to moving on in the tournament, a measure of revenge for the 3-2 loss to the Vikings in the regular season. “They are a fantastic team,” Coach Triana said of Evergreen. “We changed our formation to be more offense-minded. That was our thought process and it worked in our favor today. We were shooting on all cylinders.”
Delta entered the tournament as the #2 seed and will now face the #1 seed, the Ottawa-Glandorf Lady Titans, on Saturday at 3:00 PM at Evergreen High School for the District Championship and a trip to the DIII Regional Tournament.
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Photo: Saige Walter is hugged and congratulated by her Lady Panther teammates after scoring on a penalty kick for the games only goal.
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The Evergreen Vikings overcame a tough Delta defense and a 12-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to spoil Homecoming Night with a 15-12 victory over the Panthers in the final game of the year for both teams. Justin Ruple scored twice on one-yard plunges in the second quarter to give Delta a two-touchdown lead. However, a 56-yard return for a touchdown by Riley Dunbar ignited the Vikings who then later scored the winning on a touchdown pass from Bryce Boger. The win improves Evergreen’s record to 2-5 in the NWOAL and 4-6 overall. Delta finishes the season with a league record of 1-6 and 3-7 overall.
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Photo: Viking Max Mossing (4) looks to get past Tyler Ruple
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Photo: 2023 Delta High School Homecoming Queen Danica Ford
One benefit that voters have in any upcoming election between an incumbent and their opponent is an opportunity to research the incumbent’s track record while in office to determine if they deserve another term. The progressive initiatives Mayor Neil Toeppe has been able to implement the past two years, with the blessing of the current Village Council, have brought the Village of Swanton well ahead of its long stagnation of years past. I say only two years because Mr. Toeppe’s initial efforts were completely obstructed by angry and resentful Council leaders who placed their grudge-held sentiments of the new mayor before the needs of the Swanton citizenry. Fortunately, two years after Mr. Toeppe defeated eight-year incumbent mayor Ann Roth, four Council members were replaced and the Village finally began to move forward and has been on a fast track ever since.
What I believe to be the most important accomplishment of the mayor’s current tenure was the implementation of Live Streaming of all of the Village’s meetings. Basically, it brought complete transparency and full disclosure of Council proceedings into the home of all constituents or anywhere they happen to have access to the internet. These meetings can be viewed in real time or at any time, day or night, for the next 12 months. No longer do we have to be in attendance or wait two or more weeks to receive a copy of abbreviated and sanitized meeting minutes. Watching the proceedings tells the viewer not only what is said, but how it is said and what the visceral feelings are of the individual players towards an issue as well as the overall mood in the room. Nothing is hidden.
Mayor Toeppe was also able to create an Economic Development Commission (EDC), an all-volunteer group of business and community leaders who now work on bringing more business opportunities to the Village to help increase the tax base. With an increase in economic development comes an increase of business taxes, thereby lessening the tax burden of the hard-working citizens of Swanton. More tax revenue will allow the Village to maintain and improve its services to its residents and provide quality health and safety assistance through its Police Department and Fire and Rescue Division.
Recently, under the Toeppe administration, a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) was established in downtown on Main Street. It allows drinking establishments within the area to place tables and chair outside in front of their business and serve adult beverages. Block parties were organized this summer in the DORA, bringing more business into the community and again, more tax revenue that benefits everyone in the Village.
Another major asset Mayor Toeppe brings to the table is his almost 21 years serving as the Executive Director of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce. Through this position and his time as Mayor, he has constructed an enormous resource network composed of business and political leaders throughout the State of Ohio. He has used these resources to make informed decisions and recommendations to Council on ways to maintain high standards of service to the citizens of Swanton and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner.
Neil Toeppe is an excellent communicator. He responds to people’s questions and concerns he sees on social media, publishes important messages and information on social media as does the Village Administrator and reinstated the Mayor’s Report at all Council meetings. On sensitive issues, Neil has been known to knock on people’s front doors to allow them to explain their grievances in person without having to make an appointment with the Village Office. His soft-spoken tone and calm and friendly demeanor make him very approachable and gives other the confidence that he will listen and take their concerns seriously. At the same time, he is clear-eyed and pragmatic and will tell someone when a problem cannot be quickly resolved.
In full disclosure, I have served on the Swanton Area of Commerce Board for approximately eight years, working with Neil and other board members to support the Chamber’s members and their businesses. I have witnessed the many great things he has done for this community working behind the scenes through the Chamber. Have you seen downtown lately? It is a complete transformation. No more do I see those “ghost town” postings referring to Main Street of Facebook. Neil Toeppe has been the catalyst behind the amazing change. His assistance in helping my family bring back the Swanton Sports Center was invaluable and still continues today.
More full disclosure. I am not a member of Mr. Toeppe’s campaign nor have I made any financial contributions towards his re-election, but I do fully support it. That being said, early voting has begun and no matter where your loyalties lie, the important thing is to exercise your right to vote. One way or the other, get to the polls and set the example for others. It may be a cliche, but every vote counts.
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Here is a list of the artists who were awarded ribbons from the panel of judges for the 9th Annual Swanton Fine Arts Exhibit and Sale sponsored by the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce and held at Valleywood Golf Club this past weekend. First Place won a Blue Ribbon, Second Place won a Red Ribbon, Third Place won a White Ribbon and Honorable Mention won a Grey Ribbon.
Acrylic: First Place – Susan Miller of Morenci (MI), Second Place – Steve Mueller of Holland, Third Place – Steve Mueller of Holland, Honorable Mention – Beth Stewart of Sylvania.
Drawing: First Place – Debra Buchanan of Toledo, Second Place – Karrie King of Swanton, Third Place – Karrie King of Swanton
Mixed Media: First Place – Judy Kahle of Wauseon, Second Place – Kenneth Jackson of Holland,
Oil: First Place – Alexandra Lederman of Swanton, Second Place – Don Rowland of Toledo, Third Place – Denis Chalwick of Toledo
Photography: First Place – Bill O’Connell of Swanton, Second Place – Bill Meyers of Grand Rapids, Third Place – Bree Shulters of Swanton
Water Color: First Place – Harry Daugherty of Whitehouse, Second Place – Beverly Engler of Sylvania, Third Place – Michael Hill of Toledo, Honorable Mention – Cody Winter of Riga (MI)
Student Drawing: First Place – Allena Cosgrove of Wauseon Student Oil: First Place – Jordan Deaver of Swanton
Best of Show: Alisa Rowland of Toledo for Oil “Catch of the Day”
People’s Choice: Debra Burrows of Swanton for Oil “Baby Girl”
Click on the link above to view photos of the artwork in the exhibit.
Photo: “Baby Girl” People’s Choice Award by Debra Burrows of Debra’s Art World on Main Street in Swanton
Fulton County Ohio Media 