Wounded Coomer leads 'Boro over Lebanon, 14-9
SPRINGBORO | Thumbs up. All is well in Panther land.
Barely. The Springboro High School football team's dream of a Mid-Miami League North title, its first since 1999, and an unbeaten season (second in school's history; first one in 1982) remain intact. Barely.
For the second week in a row the state's No. 3 ranked Division II team rallied, coming from behind to edge Warren County neighbor Lebanon, 14-9. Playing before an overflow crowd of 4,500 in the Dayton Daily News Game of the Week, the Panthers solidified its area, state and computer rankings.
Senior quarterback Clay Coomer, with a little help from the Green Bay Packers, played with a broken thumb in his passing hand. Coomer delivered two clutch passes in the waning minutes to lift his team past upset-minded Lebanon. They both entered as MML North leaders at 2-0. Down 9-7 and facing a fourth -and-six on their own 19, Coomer connected with Ryan Kerns on a 21-yard pass play to continue the march downfield. After a 5-yard gain by Matt Klein, Coomer found speedy wingback Tim Dettweiller in the middle of the field and Dettwiller sped to the end zone for a decisive 55-yard touchdown with 3:54 to go.
"Timmy went inside the free safety on an arrow out pattern and was wide open," Coomer said. "Ryan's call was a slant and out. It was a great set of plays that pulled it out for us."
Said Kerns, who grabbed seven passes for 98 yards: "Clay was never better. He still had the zip on his throws. We were working the inside slant and then went wide. It was a gutty effort on Clay's part. We drew strength from him."
Coomer threw for 14 of 24 for 226 yards. He said his go-to person was athletic trainer Rita Detmer who called the Green Bay Packers earlier this week to find out how they handled Brett Favre's broken thumb a year ago.
"We got some inside, creative tips on how to wrap the splint so Clay could have the best grip," said Springboro coach Rodney Roberts. "Clay didn't practice until Thursday. He going to be awarded the game ball for his inspired play. That's for sure."
Lebanon's defense stonewalled 'Boro in the first half behind stalwarts Johnny Silcox, Zach Werner, Kyle Miller and Tyler Crockett, who recovered two fumbles from the turnover-plagued Panthers. While the defense was shining, Warriors' quarterback Shaun Addison, who was nursing a sprained shoulder, gave the Panthers fits with his play making and precise passing. Addison was 11-for-24 for 150 yards and 47 yards rushing for the game.
