By Melanie Williamson
After the tragic loss of Coach Matt Kobal last winter, the Vermilion Local Schools District faced the heavy decision of choosing a new head coach. With the student athletes in mind, it was decided that choosing a coach the students were already familiar with, who could help carry on Kobal’s legacy would be the best path moving forward.
With that in mind, coach Brett Colahan was promoted to head football coach. Colahan has been a teacher at Vermilion High School for 14 years and a football coach for the past eight years. He has had a very positive relationship with the student athletes and his promotion to head coach was welcomed by the students and coaching staff.
Going into the 2018 football season, coach Colahan shared that the athletes worked hard all summer, and he felt the upper classmate were really stepping up and taking on leadership within the team. He also felt it was important to the athletes to stay together like a family and to honor Coach Kobal by staying focused and playing hard.
Coach Colahan stated that he is excited about this season. From the start of summer practice to the start of the first game, he saw a marked improvement in the team. The Sailors opened up the 2018 season and the Coach Colahan era with a commanding 56-13 victory over the hosting Oberlin Phoenix on Friday, August 24. The Sailor team improved their record to 2-0 on the young season after defeating the Brookside Cardinals 56-13 on Friday, August 31.
The Sailors opened up scoring when Seth Hurd connected with Jonah Pfeil from 22 yards out. The Sailors then got their rushing attack going when Jakob Koleszar found the end zone from 27 yards out. Hurd scampered from 6 yards out to give the Sailors a 21-0 lead after the first quarter.
Davis McDaniel found the end zone from 5 yards out to give the Sailors a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter. Koleszar hit pay dirt for the second time from 22 yards out to give the Sailors a 35-0 going into the half.
Coming out the of the half, McDaniel found the end zone for the second time on the ground from 5 yards out. Following a stop by the Sailors defense, Pfeil returned a Cardinal punt 54 yards for another Sailors touchdown. Pfeil kept his return skills going following a Brookside score, he returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown for his third score of the night.
Hurd finished the night 121 yards passing and a touchdown, with 81 yards on the ground a score. Koleszar finished with 105 yards rushing and two scores, McDaniel added 2 scores as well. Pfeil led the Sailors in receiving with 62 yards on 3 catches with a touchdown.
Defensively Zach Kovach netted two sacks, as the Sailors D swarmed the Cardinals all night.
The Sailors will take on their rivals the Firelands Falcons on Friday, September 7, at home.
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