Pandora - After last Friday's loss to Lima Central Catholic, the Pandora-Gilboa Rockets finished the season at a final record of 7-4. This total is one that many did not think the Rockets would be able to achieve both pre and during the season, but one the team worked to obtain.

To understand the expectations for PG this season we must first look back on last year and the success the Rockets had. The 23-24 team started with a win over rival Columbus Grove in walk off fashion 25-22. They then dropped two straight but ended up 8-4 and runners up in the Blanchard Valley Conference. This included a vengeance of the 21-14 loss to Leipsic by beating them in the playoffs in a higher scoring 33-24 victory. 

The problem for the Rockets is that they lost eight all BVC selections including ironman standouts like Jake Fischer and Isaac Stall along with four-year lettermen Colin Harris and Aidan Morris. Morris was back-to-back all Ohio and a part of a WR room that was all seniors until the injury to Harris, allowing then sophomore Chase Meyer to grab some in game opportunities.

This year the receivers were a big question, head coach Matt Hershey said, "I think we're going to have to find how our team is going to produce. The running game, quarterback runs, and I think Chase Meyer will be in that Aidan Morris spot."

Chase Meyer did step up big time this season for Pandora-Gilboa hauling in 35 receptions for 620 yards and adding nine touchdowns to his stat line. This nearly filled the Aidan Morris sized gap in PG's offense as he had 58 receptions for 832 yards and 12 TDs in 2023. 

Moving into this season, it had plenty of ups and downs starting right away in weeks one and two. 

Coach Hershey knew that week one was not going to be easy stating "Columbus Grove is not happy (after losing last year). They have been practicing all offseason to beat us. We have to know that they are putting forth a better effort." However, no one expected the outcome that week one would bring.

In the 12th edition of the "ZSports Live Bowl" Columbus Grove started a trend that would last all year in dominating the Rockets 35-7. The Rocket's only touchdown came right at the end of the game against the junior varsity unit of the Bulldogs as returning letterman and second team BVC performer Cory Gerten scored from two yards out on a quarterback sneak.

There was still a sense of optimism within the halls of Pandora-Gilboa with the thought of beating the other "10-minute rival" Bluffton up next on the schedule. This game went no better for the Rockets as they would fall 42-0 to the Pirates. This included a kickoff return for a touchdown and tempers flaring on the sideline of the Pandora-Gilboa Rockets.

After the game Coach Hershey knew something had to be changed due to lack of effort and poor performance in the first two weeks. He called a senior only meeting for the following Monday before practice. Ideas from within that meeting ranged from finding people Cory trusts to protect him to going around and having the team state why they were playing.

The team did the later after practice one day and there was a wide variety of answers from wanting conditioning for other sports all the way to loving the school and always dreaming of putting on the silver helmets under Friday night lights.

Something clicked within week three of the regular season as the Rockets were on the right side of their BVC opener against Van Buren, winning 41-14. Cory Gerten threw his first touchdown pass of the year to Nate Walker. Senior Nate Walker played for the first time since his freshman year and his regional qualifying track speed (in the 4x400 and 400m) took the top off defenses all season. 

This game started a four week win streak that included a 21-18 rivalry win over Leipsic, a 49-28 victory over Arlington-a game that many thought PG would struggle in, and a 34-0 win in awful conditions over Elmwood. 

There were two key changes for the offense which helped spark this four-game win streak. The first happened in week three when offensive coordinator Kevan Westenbarger and head coach Hershey fully embraced the run and put in a 32 personal wishbone formation in. Throughout the season more and more wrinkles were added including an "I" formation and throwing passes to Meyer to keep defenses honest.

This had shades of the 2020 junior high season for the Pandora Gilboa Rockets with this year's juniors and seniors, a 7-1 BVC runner up team. The offense ran up and down the field with the "hippo" formation which is the exact same as wishbone this year. Quarterbacking that offense was now St. Francis De Sales defensive end, Benny Kahle, who recently committed to Ashland University. 

To draw even more comparison, 'hippo" called for an extra lineman to enter at TE. That season it was former football player and the person writing this article. Now, it's Alex Rutschilling the starting defensive end who entered as a "tight end" but was really just an extra lineman.

Enough about the success of the past and back to the second offensive change made.

Sophomore Caleb Doty moved to the starting center position overtaking junior Tressel Grothause. Doty's snaps were very precise, and his blocking was a much-needed improvement as well. He played his way into a BVC honorable mention selection at the conclusion of the regular season.

With Doty now on the offensive line, all starting lineman earned BVC recognition. Senior Logan Moser, junior Landon "Smiley" Siefker, and as mentioned sophomore Caleb Doty were given honorable mention. Senior Parker Gallaspie in his first year starting got second team and fellow senior Eli Luginbill was awarded first team in his first year back from injury.

The PG Rockets were now 4-2 heading into what many called the BVC Championship game taking place in week seven against the Liberty Benton Eagles. The Eagles were 5-1 with their only loss coming at the hands of familiar foe Columbus Grove 42-14.

There was a newfound sense that this season was one where the Rockets could not only compete but win the Blanchard Valley Conference. If they could win it would be the first time since 2018 that PG would claim an outright title. 

In my preparation, I talked to Coach Hershey, and he flat out said what everyone was believing. Pandora-Gilboa could win this game but could not make mistakes like they had in previous weeks. The number one obstacle in their way was the set of twins: Seth and Zach Elchert. 

Zach Elchert is a 6'3 185 lbs. running back and his brother Seth is a 6'3 195 lbs. wide receiver committed to Toledo. Their games or so similar that LB even confused the two on their roster position-wise. Seth was neutralized against Pandora-Gilboa however Zach had himself a night.

Zach had 21 carries for 188 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Senior quarterback Trevin Lieb also had a good night passing for three touchdowns. The Eagles proved too much for the Rockets, especially offensively, winning 38-21.

The Rockets committed to stopping the run early on which was successful at first but eventually, Lieb could throw darts behind a good offensive line. The passing game got going and got the Rockets behind at half by a score of 24-14.

Quarter three was a defensive slugfest where the only score was an 83 yard pick six scored by Chase Meyer, the first team defensive back in the BVC. By commting bodies to stopping the pass in half two Zach Elchert ran all over the PG defense and even got his teammate Brayden Lemire one on one coverage for the dagger touchdown to go up by the final of 38-21.

Within this game the concern from all season, the pass rush, or lack thereof, showed itself. The Rockets defensive line was very stout against the run. So good that two of their starters were awarded BVC honors: sophomore Alex Rutschilling got third team and interior lineman Eli Luginbill got second team.

The defensive line in big games always seemed to be exhausted from playing both ways. Key players such as Parker Gallaspie, Logan Moser, and Landon Siefker along with those listed above played both ways. PG always has plenty of ironman players but they had depth with players like senior Tyler Pugh-who started the first two weeks and junior Tressel Grothause that could have added a play or two of rest.

One starting defensive end, senior Anthony Gershcutz, only played defense and always seemed ready to give it his all for all four quarters. He helped with the pass rush at times after returning in week three (due to a pickleball related injury occurring in the offseason) but it was still a struggle for the Rockets getting to the quarterback.

This put defensive coordinator Tyler Closson in a bind as it was either play his linebackers in coverage and hope someone got home up front or have to commit them to blitzing in order to add speed. Coach Closson did a phenomenal job of mixing these two strategies in order to keep offenses guessing when passing. Each of the starting four linebackers did a great job in the system earning respective BVC honors. Andrew Miller was the senior leader of the group adding exoerience and earning first team, junior Ben Burkholder returned to help next to Andrew and got second team, senior Lane Lee was a new addition to the core and got third team, and rounding out the linebackers was junior Landen Moore who got honorable mention. 

Third teamer Lane Lee deserves some more respect for an adjustment to a new position and all the tasks he had. Lee was moved there after week three, starting the season as a corner, and had to learn a brand new position. This position is one I call the "rover" as that is what Notre Dame names the player who has to both rush the passer and be ready to cover any person on the field. Lee excelled in this position as it allowed him to use his aggressiveness when rushing the passer and using his former cornerback skills to cover when necessary. He ended up racking up two interceptions, 48 tackles-40 of which were solo, and five tackles for loss.

After Liberty Benton, the Rockets had a chance to rebound on a Thursday night against Arcadia. They did just that winning the game 55-13. That score is a little bit deceiving as PG was up 27-0  at halftime, scoring on each of their drives and only having to run an average of 2.25 plays to score each drive. This included a one play passing TD to Nate Walker and Chase Meyer on respective drives.

This win set up a clash for the Blnchard Valley Conference runner up title between the Rockets and the Ada Bulldogs. Walking into school on Monday I expected to hear the normal hopeful and eager team to play on that Friday. Instead, the first thing I heard is, "Cory is sick, he won't play for at least the rest of the regular season" by multiple senior leaders.

This changed the entire dynamic for the upcoming game. What would the Rockets do without their second team BVC quarterback? Coach Hershey seemed to be unphased by this news, not becuase he expected it, but because he prepared for the worst during game prep for Liberty Benton.

During the week of practice for LB the Rockets put in a wildcat formation with third team BVC performer at running back, Ben Burkholder, in at quarterback. With Burkholder at quarterback and Miller next to him in the shotgun teams would now have to respect both runners in the backfield. Burkholder also could throw any concept within 15 yards the coaches called with ease and threw a decent long ball as well.

The only issue that appeared was the new bread and butter for the PG offense, the wishbone formation, would lose a key back. The backfield always read Burkholder, Lee, and Miller in some capacity unless one motioned to H-Back to try and throw off a defense. Well Coach Hershey thought of that too. Sophomore quarteback Layton Cannode, who started for the JV team, would enter at quarterback for under center plays.

Gerten's sudden removal from the lineup was not the only thing working against the Rockets that week. Ada was scheduled to be the Rockets game during the week of homecoming after going 3-7 as a member of the NWC in the 2023 season. Coach Hershey was put into a tough place as if he allowed the team to participate in homecoming festivities risking injury or a potential slow start. He made the hard decision to have the team not participate in the festivites other than the pregame crowning of the king and queen.

The homecoming court was swept by football players on the male side. It was freshman Logan Lehman, sophomore Breydon Ferguson, junior Landen Moore, and seniors Tyler Pugh, Lane Lee, and eventual king Andrew Miller.

Finally getting to the actual game after a week of stress by coaches and fans alike, Ada kicked the ball to Pandora Gilboa. The first half was dominated by Chase Meyer. He scored on the first drive, a 12 play drive capped off by a fifteen yard running touchdown and drive number five where on play one Cannode delivered a perfect pass for a 39 yard passing touchdown out of wishbone. The score at half had PG on top 14-7.

Chase gave the fun of scoring touchdowns to his cousin Andrew Miller who had a hat trick of second half rushing touchdowns from 5, 8, and 16 yards out. This and a great defensive effort allowed for the Rockets to grab a huge 34-14 win over Ada. Helping that defensive effort was an interception from linebacker Ben Burkholder as Ada was driving down the field.

Andrew Miller had another amzaing season for the Rockets. The first team BVC running back ended the regular season with 164 carries for 996 yards and fourteen touchdowns. His partner in crime, junior Ben Burkholder, had 115 carries for 845 yards and four touchdowns. 

Week ten was a chance for the Rockets to get healthy and maintain confidence going into the playoffs against Riverdale. PG was slated to be seeded anywhere from 7-11 with hopes of ending up at the 7 or 11 seed in the playoffs to avoid a Columbus Grove rematch after a potential round one win. 

In the first half Pandora Gilboa "struggled" more than many thought they would. Andrew Miller scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground and Chase Meyer added a 35 yard reception for a touchdown through the air. Riverdale got a score from Landen Bailey, their secondary back. Thanks to two Rocket interceptions, one from Chase Meyer and the other from junior Nolan Leatherman, the score at halftime was 21-7. Leatherman was injured for the first part of the season but was a great addition to the secondary due to his athleticism and allowing Cory Gerten to only play one side of the ball.

The second half was much more like people expected: a one sided affair in favor of the Rockets. Landen Moore rushed in his first touchdown of his career from six yards out and Andrew Miller ended a ten play drive with a one yard rush. Also adding to the score was the consistent kicker Paul Fischer, a foreign exchange student from Germany, with a 21 yard field goal. The Rockets would end their regular season with a 37-7 victory over Riverdale and have a record of 7-3. 

Unfortunately for the Rockets, Hardin Northern was upset by Elgin 32-28. This meant that the Rockets would be the nine seed and have to travel to Lima Stadium to take on Lima Central Catholic who also sported a 7-3 record and a loss to Columbus Grove. 

Signal caller Cory Gerten was back and ready to go for this intense week eleven matchup againt the Thunderbirds of LCC. The first half was disastrous for the Rockets who could not stop the rushing attack from LCC, especially their sophomore quarterback Brady Parker. He scored four rushing touchdowns in the first half including one with just 1:08 left. The PG offense was also stagnet to start and it took until halfway through the second quarter for Andrew Miller to find paydirt. Pandora-Gilboa was down by a score of 27-7 heading to the lockers.

The Rockets were not ready to give up however. In the third quarter they outscored the T-Birds by a score of 14-0 due to another Andrew Miller rushing touchdown and a Chase Meyer receiving touchdown from 37 yards out. Brady Parker added a passing touchdown to Matthew Quatman and Andrew Miller responded with an eight yard rushing touchdown to make the score 33-28 with LCC leading. Pandora-Gilboa touched the ball two more times but could not convert on either opprotunity to score. The Rocket's defense had an opportunity to get the ball back one final time but was also unable to after a great defensive third quarter. Brady Parker kneeled the clock out to make the final 33-28 and advance the Thunderbirds to a rematch against Columbus Grove.

With those knees it was over for the Rockets. No more ups and downs, no more time to fight, and no more battles on the gridiron involving the class of 2025. The senior class led the team to the playoffs and an overall 7-4 record with a heartbreaking defeat in the first round of the Region 26 tournament. 

This game truly encapsulated the PG football season. Things were not always going to be good, sometimes everything would work against the Rockets. However, no matter how tall of a task it would be the Rockets would find a way to fight back and have a shot at their goals. 

All year Pandora-Gilboa felt one player away from near perfection. Another great athlete to add to the secondary against Liberty Benton could have prevented some of Lieb's touchdown passes. Another dominant defensive lineman could have shut down the rushing lanes for Brady Parker and LCC. The Rockets can not create a perfect player however, with what they had an 8-2 regular season and still trucking through playoffs would be possible.

There is no one to blame either. I think each unit obviously made mistakes, there is no such thing as perfect football especially at a division seven school. However, going back and looking through this season all I hope is that this team is not forgotten for what they accomplished.

The Rockets easily could have folded at 0-2 and gone through the motions each game only thinking about wanting to go home after. They did not do this at all. The 0-2 start added fuel to this season full of questions and helped shine the light on answers, especially about who the leaders would be. A lot of credit must be given to the captains Andrew Miller, Eli Luginbill, Tyler Pugh, and Logan Moser for getting this team right back on track.

Overall, Pandora Gilboa may not have won a state title, but only one team can. They became runners up in the Blanchard Valley and gave it everything they had each week. They did something that is hard to do and many could not have done. The Rockets came together and played football for each other, for their school, and for the love of the game. All of the wins just came as a bonus for a team that many doubted before the season. Football is often about life lessons and the Rockets learned a very valuable one this season. It is not about how you start something, if you put in effort, keep working, and trust others the finished product will be an amazing one. I say and I am sure those who watched or listened each week agree with me: Thank you to the 2024 Pandora Gilboa football team for providing everyone with amazing memories of this season and fighting for the towns of not only Pandora but also Gilboa and making all of us proud. 

Read more articles by Chase Dettrow