Scots' comeback one of best in school history
- col-aaron-dorksen
- November 3, 2022
- 1319
A few thoughts from the week in sports …
Fans who attended The College of Wooster football team’s 44-43 win over visiting Wittenberg at John P. Papp Stadium on Oct. 29 were treated to one of the best comebacks in Fighting Scots’ history.
And a great lesson about the importance of never giving up.
The Scots (5-3, 3-3 North Coast Athletic Conference) trailed 30-7 at the half against the Tigers (4-4, 4-3), who they hadn’t beaten since the 2008 season finale.
After Wittenberg kicked a field goal early in the second half, the Tigers stretched their lead to 33-7.
However, the Scots outscored the Tigers 37-10 to close the game, capped by senior quarterback Mateo Renteria’s game-winning 7-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Cole Hissong with 11 seconds left. The Scots’ ensuing PAT pass was incomplete.
“It was a great win,” said ninth-year coach Frank Colaprete, who was thrilled to get his first win over Witt. “The men didn’t blink.
“They didn’t look at the scoreboard, just kept playing through the whole game, and they didn’t waver. As the game went on and we started building momentum, we kept fighting. That’s what this team has done throughout this season, and it was good to see it against a team like Wittenberg.”
Wooster senior Chris Savaglio sealed the win with an interception at Wittenberg’s 42-yard line with three seconds remaining.
Renteria was 27-for-53 passing for 272 yards, and his lone TD toss was the game-winner. Renteria and Jarvis Mims, Jr. (15-78 rushing) both ran for a pair of scores while Hissong had nine catches for 102 yards. Cameron Snurr led the defense with 12 tackles.
Colaprete said he puts a high priority on “recruiting men of character,” and it certainly showed against Wittenberg.
“When you do it against a college rival, not just a football rival, it was great to have this moment for everyone,” Colaprete said. “It was awesome to hear from many alums and former coaches here from different sports who reached out to us afterward.”
College of Wooster football games are a hidden gem for this area. The bagpipers leading the team out before games is one of the best traditions at any level. There’s not a bad seat at John P. Papp Stadium, and it’s a chance to see outstanding small-college action.
Fans can get a chance to see the Scots in another big game this Saturday, Nov. 5 when they host Denison (6-2, 4-2) in the battle for the “Old Red Lantern.”
Wooster has won three straight games and is trying for its first four-game winning streak since 2013. The Scots will close the season at Oberlin on Nov. 12.
Hissong closing great career
Hissong, a Triway graduate, will go down as one of the Scots’ all-time great tight ends. He’s Wooster’s all-time leader in receptions (138), receiving yards (1,954) and receiving TDs (18) among tight ends. He is fifth overall in program history in receptions and receiving yards and sixth in receiving TDs.
After Hissong’s big game against Wittenberg, he earned a record-setting fifth spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week.
“Cole is mentally and physically tough and strong,” Colaprete said of the history and education major who was a Div. III second-team All-American in 2021. “On top of those characteristics, he's just an amazing person. He has a big heart and is caring and kind.”
Turn back the clock
The Scots’ last win over Wittenberg in 2008, which was referenced above, also was a memorable game for a lot of people including myself. I reported on that “Mud Bowl,” which Wooster won 27-6 in the last game played at John P. Papp Stadium on natural grass before they installed artificial turf in 2009.
Current Wooster High School coach Austin Holter was the Scots’ junior quarterback in that game, and he rushed for three TDs and passed for another in a quagmire as the Scots finished with an 8-2 record under coach Mike Schmitz.
Parting shots
Congrats to the Wayne-Holmes area teams who were still alive in the postseason entering this week. Here are some of the highlights:
—Round two football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 4: Div. IV, Region 14, No. 2 West Holmes (11-0) vs No. 7 St. Mary’s Memorial (9-2); D5, R17, No. 5 Norwayne (8-3) vs No. 13 Cardinal Mooney (6-5); D6, R21, No. 4 Dalton (9-2) vs No. 5 Brookfield (10-1); D6, R22, No. 4 Northwestern (9-2) vs No. 5 Columbus Grove (9-2); and D7, R25, No. 6 Hillsdale (7-4) at No. 2 Danville (9-2).
—Boys soccer: Wooster’s boys advanced to the Div. I regionals for the first time since 1988, where they were matched up against three-time defending state champion St. Ignatius.
—Volleyball: Waynedale was the only area volleyball team to reach the Sweet 16. The Bears defeated Tuslaw in a Div. III district final, advancing to the Barberton Regional, where they were slated to play Independence on Thursday, Nov. 3.
—Count me among those who are looking forward to the upcoming COW men’s basketball season. The Scots will open the regular season at home when they host the Al Van Wie/Wooster Rotary Classic Nov. 18-19. More to come on the Scots in next week’s column.
—Finally, it’s been another interesting week for us Cleveland pro sports fans.
Just when we don’t trust the Browns, they go out and play their best all-around game and beat Cincinnati 32-13 on MNF. Cleveland has a bye week and will return to action at Miami on Nov. 13.
The Cavaliers are off to a great start at 5-1. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff admitted guard Donovan Mitchell is even better than he anticipated, and I agree. I haven’t been much of an NBA fan in recent years, but these Cavs are different. They play for each other, actually play good defense and share the ball. They’re fun to watch.
Congrats to four Guardians for winning AL Gold Glove Awards: Andres Gimenez (2B), Myles Straw (CF), Steven Kwan (LF) and Shane Bieber (P). It was well-deserved and great to see Cleveland get some respect.