The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Nemeth’s FG as time expires wins for Warriors
There’s a first time for everything.
That was especially true on Oct. 20 at Fairview High School, when the host Warriors topped Columbia, 1514, thanks to junior Adam Nemeth nailing a 37-yard field goal as time expired.
Nemeth went 3-for-3 on field goals, the first Fairview kicker to ever do so, according to coach Dave Latkovic and his team statistician.
And it was his first gamewinning field goal.
Columbia called a timeout to try to ice Nemeth, but it never fazed him.
And once the ball crossed through the cross bars, Fairview (2-7) exploded in excitement, in a season where there hasn’t been much to cheer for.
“I knew the game was on my back,” Nemeth said. “But I do it 100 times in practice throughout the season, so I just kept it cool and I just kicked it like I do any other day.”
On the Warriors’ final drive, they faced a fourthand-9 play with over twoand-a-half minutes. Quarterback Declan Jewitt scrambled for 10 yards and a first down, and followed it with a clutch third down pass to Turner Hahn to move them into field goal range, setting up Nemeth’s winner.
To also make Fairview history on a night he made his first game-winning field goal, Nemeth kept his words pretty cool, no different than his mentality prior to his kick.
“As soon as I kicked it, I knew it was good,” he added. “It’s even better I made history along with it.”
Fairview rushed for 218 yards — led by junior Jack Provenza’s 135 on 12 carries. Columbia, without star running back Brandon Coleman, ran for 186 yards, led by QB Jared Bycznski’s 111 and one touchdown.
Columbia (5-4) coach Jason Ward acknowledged it was a tough pill to swallow.
“They made plays and we didn’t,” he said. “They
deserved to win. They bounced a lot to the outside, so that hurt us. I told them that Fairview deserved to win and we turned the ball over a ton tonight, and we didn’t make enough plays. Give them a lot of credit. It’s high school football for you.”
For the most part, it was a defensive struggle, with Columbia leading, 7-6, at halftime, getting a first half rushing score from Bycznski.
Bycznski scored again to open the second half on a 9-yard rush to extend the Raiders’ lead to 14-6, after an 11-play drive.
With Columbia seemingly in control, Provenza took matters in his own hands, picking up gains of 27 and 30 before the end of the third, setting up a 20-yard rushing TD from teammate Marty Rehor with 11:51 in the fourth. Fairview failed on the twopoint conversion attempt.
Midway through the fourth, Provenza intercepted a pass at Fairview’s 34-yard line, one of three turnovers Fairview created, setting up the winning drive.
“It was total grit,” Latkovic said. “We’ve been pounding the rock all year with a sledgehammer and we said it’s going to crack, and it cracked tonight. And the kid made the kick.
“Our backs were phenomenal today. Jack and Marty were breaking tackles and kept pushing.”
Despite a long season, the Warriors have learned through their losses, and a thrilling win at home gives them — and particularly the seniors, something to be proud of.
“I think we’ve learned how to deal with adversity,” Latkovic added. “I always talk about how marriage is tough, your job is tough, life is tough. But you’ve got to keep pushing. These guys are amazing, man. If you come to our practices, you would think we’re 8-0. They’re naturally good people, but they elevated themselves this season.”