The Mighty Panthers will travel to Columbus this Friday night to take on the Columbus East Olympians for the Class 4A Regional Championship.
Columbus East is on quite a role. As the No. 1 team in Class 4A, they have won 27 consecutive games, including last year’s state championship. Their last loss came against Indianapolis Cathedral on Nov. 16, 2012.
But the Olympians are not gods. They can be defeated. They have averaged an amazing 56.9 points per game, but East Central last Friday held them to only 28. If anyone can get the Panthers ready, it’ll be Coach Hape and his awesome staff.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. eastern/ 7 p.m. central.
All-time series
The series is tied, 1-1. Columbus East won the last meeting, 35-21, in 2012, while Reitz won the infamous 61-60 shootout in 2007. Both games were at Reitz Bowl, while this will be in Columbus.
For historical perspective, Reitz is 3-2 against teams from Columbus. The Panthers are 2-0 against the old Columbus High and 0-1 against Columbus North (North & East opened in 1972).
Columbus East is 2-1 against Evansville schools (the Olympians also beat Central, 49-0, in 2011).
The coaches
It will be student vs. teacher, as Andy Hape, 19-5 overall, will be across the field from his former coach, Bob Gaddis, who holds a 265-129 overall record (Hape played for Gaddis from 1991-93). Hape will go up against Columbus East for the first time, while Gaddis is 1-1 against the Panthers.
Semi-State
The winner will face the winner of the New Palestine vs. Roncalli game for the semi-state championship. Here are the potential match-ups and locations:
- Columbus East at Roncalli
- Roncalli at Reitz
- Columbus East at New Palestine
- Reitz at New Palestine
2014 Schedule/Results
- 2014 Reitz Football results
- 2014 Columbus East football results (AlmanacSports.com)
Game previews
- Columbus East’s Gaddis will renew acquaintances, rivalry with Reitz (Courier & Press)
- As prep career winds down, East senior defensive lineman dominates (The Republic)
- Junior linebacker intense force for unbeaten East (Columbus Republic)
- Reitz, Deig lead more diverse offense into Class 4A regional game (Courier & Press)
Statistics (on MaxPreps)
Radio/TV/Internet
- Radio: WJPS 107.1 FM
- Internet (listen): WJPSradio.com
- Internet (watch): Coachesaid.com (need to create a login)
Thanks again to our friends at Tracy Zeller Jewelry for sponsoring #ReitzFootballFriday!
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