Trimble Tomcats 

1990-1999

The 1990s were a time period of two major transitions in the Trimble Football program.  The first was the split in the TVC from a combined conference into two divisions at the conclusion of the 1993 school year.  The two divisions were the TVC Ohio and the TVC Hocking.  Trimble was placed into the TVC Hocking with the original league consisting of Alexander, Eastern, Federal Hocking, Miller and Southern.  This created a scheduling situation that resulted in the traditional week ten Nelsonville game being moved to week five, the last non-league game of the year.  As the decade progressed most of the TVC-Ohio teams dropped Trimble from their schedule, and by the end of the 90s, Nelsonville would be the only original Ohio team to play the Tomcats.  In 1997 Waterford was added to the TVC-Hocking and Alexander was moved to the TVC-Ohio.  Waterford would develop into a consistent league rival with Trimble and for a majority of the next 25 years the Trimble/Waterford game would be the de facto league championship game.


The conclusion of the 1993-94 school year also saw the departure of Coach Greg Holbert.  Coach Holbert accepted the position of principal at Alexander High School.  To replace Coach Holbert, baseball coach Phil Faires was hired to run both programs.  Faires had served as an assistant football coach for the Tomcats in the late 1970s and in the ‘80s and had played for Paul Culver.  Coach Faires’ first year as head coach would result in Trimble winning the TVC-Hocking for the first time.  He would then win back to back TVC championships in 1997 and 98.  In 1998 Faires’ Tomcats would go 9-1 but miss the playoffs in the final season of a four team per region format.  The 1999 team featured primarily sophomores and would lay the foundation for the breakthrough 2001 season. When people talk about the tradition that some football programs have, a key ingredient is stability.  Coach Faires’ 28+ years as head coach has provided an extra layer of stability to the Trimble football program that very few schools share.  Very few coaches have the ability like Coach Faires of taking a traditionally successful program and elevating it to the next level.  With over 200 wins (232), a win percentage of 72%, and two trips to the state championship game, Coach Faires will forever be synonymous with Trimble Football.

1990 Coach Greg Holbert

8/24/1990 Crooksville Away L 7 22

8/31/1990 Federal Hocking Home W 23 6

9/7/1990 Wellston Away L 21 27

9/14/1990 Belpre Away W 21 7

9/21/1990 Meigs Home L 14 20

9/28/1990 Alexander Home W 20 0

10/5/1990 Miller Away W 21 20

10/12/1990 Vinton County Home L 14 20

10/19/1990 Centennial Away L 26 27

10/26/1990 Nelsonville-York Away L 0 27 

Roger Bingman became the first Tomcat quarterback to throw for over 300 yards during the week three game at Wellston. (337 yards)

The win at Belpre was considered a major upset.  Belpre had been ranked the #11 team in the state in the AP Poll released the day before the game.  

Final Computer Rank: 17th Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC: Roger Bingman (Offensive Player of the Year) Jason Guffey, Sun Leeper, Charlie Gatchel

All District: Roger Bingman (Offensive Player of the Year), Jason Guffey, Charlie Gatchel

All Ohio: First Team - Roger Bingman

Team Members: Scott Auflick, Jason Guffey, Steve Shamhart, Roger Bingman, Shane Hooper, John Tyler, Sun Leeper, Andy Kovach, Travis Campbell, Chad Hook, Melvin Barnhart, Roger Jenkins, Charlie Gatchel, Justin Antle, Tom Bang, Joe Armburster, Chris Craig, Rusty Richards, Tom Hardy, Jonathan Hooper, Reuben Kittle, Bru Brunton, Gary Arnold, Jeremy Syks, Josh Chalfant, Adam Curry, Adam Downs, Dave Davis, Chad Warren, T. Jones

1991 Coach Greg Holbert

8/31/1991 North Gallia Away L 7 14

9/6/1991 Federal Hocking Away W 20 6

9/14/1991 Buffalo Wayne, WV Home L 12 45

9/20/1991 Belpre Home L 14 34

9/27/1991 Meigs Away L 22 41

10/4/1991 Alexander Away W 27 6

10/11/1991 Miller Home W 28 14

10/18/1991 Vinton County Away L 0 19

10/25/1991 Portsmouth Away L 6 46

11/1/1991 Nelsonville-York Home L 13 25 

Wellston initially canceled their season and was not a part of TVC competition.  To fill the schedule gap, Buffalo Wayne, WV was added as a one year contract. Buffalo Wayne was undefeated in the regular season and would go three rounds deep in the WV state playoffs.  

Final Computer Rank: 22nd Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC: Charlie Gatchel, Reuben Kittle, Jerry Lackey, Jon Stevens

All District: Reuben Kittle, Jerry Lackey

All Ohio: First Team - Reuben Kittle

Team Members: Charlie Gatchel, Melvin Barnhart, Jim Guseman, Buddy Vore, Roger Jenkins, Justin Antle, Danny Chalfant, Chris Craig, Jeremy Sycks, Justin Day, Chad Hook, Tom Hardy, Reuben Kittle, Gary Arnold, Jerry Lackey, Chuck Fravel, Chad Warren, Josh Chalfant, Cory Lewis, Jonathan Hooper, Travis Campbell, Rusty Richards, Bru Brunton, Chris Skinner, Chuck Neil, Jason Morris, Dennis Osborne, Stacey Washington, Dave Hartley, Mark Patton, J.R. Reynolds, Josh McClelland, J.J. Azbell

Assistant Coaches: Phil Campbell, Greg Koons, Todd Trace, Don Holbert

1992 Coach Greg Holbert

9/4/1992 Symmes Valley Home W 25 22

9/11/1992 Federal Hocking Home W 29 0

9/19/1992 Wellston Away W 24 6

9/25/1992 Belpre Away L 12 40

10/2/1992 Meigs Home W 34 6

10/9/1992 Alexander Home W 34 28

10/16/1992 Miller Away W 34 0

10/23/1992 Vinton County Home L 12 32

10/30/1992 Southern Meigs Home W 23 21

11/6/1992 Nelsonville-York Away L 14 34 

This was the last season of a combined Tri-Valley Conference.  

This would be the final week 10 Trimble/Nelsonville-York game.

Final Computer Rank: 12th Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC: Tom Hardy, Reuben Kittle, Jerry Lackey, Jon Stevens, Chris Craig

All District: Reuben Kittle (Lineman of the Year), Jerry Lackey, Tom Hardy, Jon Stevens, Greg Holbert (Coach of the Year)

All Ohio: First Team - Reuben Kittle, Tom Hardy

Team Members: Chris Craig, Rusty Richards, Tom Hardy, Reuben Kittle, Jerry Lackey, Gary Arnold, Jon Stevens, Josh Chalfant, Adam Curry, Jeremy Sycks, Travis Campbell, Bru Brunton, Jonathan Hooper, Cory Lewis, Josh McClelland, Chris Skinner, T. Jay Schultz, Steve Pallo, Doug Fox, Jason Morris, Stacey Washington, Mark Patton, Nathan Angle, David Harvey, Marty Christa, Joe Wright, James Morris, Cale Lewis, Roger Haney, Quinn Brunton, Jeremy Mills, J.R. Reynolds, Nathan Dugan, Keith Dugan, Brock Hogue, Chuck Fravel, Heath Armbruster, Doug Watt, Geoff Moore

Assistant Coaches:Scott Gatchel, Greg Koons, Phil Campbell

Managers: Terry Holbert, Joe Pallo

1993 Coach Greg Holbert

9/3/1993 Symmes Valley Away W 18 6

9/10/1993 Meigs Away W 43 12

9/17/1993 Vinton County Away L 0 56

9/24/1993 Magnolia, WV Away L 7 42

10/1/1993 Nelsonville-York Home L 14 50

10/8/1993 Alexander Away L 8 30

10/15/1993 Southern Meigs Home W 14 12

10/22/1993 Eastern Meigs Home W 26 20

10/29/1993 Federal Hocking Away W 14 6

11/5/1993 Miller Home W 34 12 

First season of the TVC-Hocking

The Symmes Valley game had a long weather delay prior to kickoff.  There was a 45 minute delay prior to the start of the Eastern game due to a fire in one of the light structures.

Rusty Richards became the first Tomcat Quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards for three straight seasons.

Final Computer Rank: 15th Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC-Hocking: Rusty Richards (Offensive Player of the Year) Chris Craig, Travis Campbell, Jonathan Hooper, Josh McClelland

All District: First Team - Rusty Richards (Offensive Player of the Year) Chris Craig, Travis Campbell, Josh McClelland

All Ohio: First Team - Rusty Richards, Second Team - Josh McClelland

Team Members: Rusty Richards, Bru Brunton, Chris Craig, Josh Chalfant, Adam Curry, Travis Cambell, Cory Lewis, Jonathan Hooper, Adam Downs, Doug Fox, Jay Roberts, Eric Reynolds, Nathan Dugan, Steve Pallo, Brian Orsborne, Cale Lewis, J.R. Reynolds, Randy Skinner, Brian Camechis, Jimmy Richards, Mark Patton, Kevin Kennedy, Jocko Ward, Joe Wright, Zach Miller, Ryan Riley, Mike McClelland, Marty Christa, Dennis Osborne, Keith Dugan, James Morris, Josh McClelland, Nathan Angle, Stacey Washington, Jason Morris, Heath Armbruster

Assistant Coaches: Greg Koons, Phil Campbell, Donny Holbert

Manager: Terry Holbert

1994 Coach Phil Faires

9/2/1994 Symmes Valley Home W 18 6

9/9/1994 Meigs Home L 6 25

9/16/1994 Vinton County Home L 6 19

9/23/1994 Belpre Away L 0 44

9/30/1994 Nelsonville-York Away L 0 52

10/7/1994 Alexander Home W 14 0

10/14/1994 Southern Meigs Away W 31 0

10/21/1994 Eastern Meigs Away W 8 0

10/28/1994 Federal Hocking Home W 30 13

11/4/1994 Miller Away W 18

TVC-Hocking Champions

 The final game of the year saw the introduction of the “Burr Oak Bowl” traveling trophy between Trimble and Miller.

Final Computer Rank: 12th Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Josh McClelland and Joe Wright (Defensive Players of the Year) Nathan Angle, Dennis Osborne, Mark Patton, Marty Christa, James Morris

All District: Joe Wright (Defensive Player of the Year), Nathan Angle, Josh McClelland

All Ohio: First Team - Joe Wright, Second Team - Josh McClelland

Team Members: Stacey Washington, Jay Ward, Dennis Orsborne, Randy Skinner, J.R. Reynolds, Mark Patton, Josh McClelland, Nathan Angle, Keith Dugan, Steve Pallo, Marty Christa, Joe Wright, Heath Armbruster, Mike McClelland, Nathan Dugan, Chas Richards, Stephen Snyder, Dave Christman, Eric Reynolds, Jay Roberts, Brian Camechis, Josh Angle, Ryan Riley, Zach Miller, Chris Shafer, Giovonni Pincelli, Terry Coey, Anthony Collura, Josh McClelland, Matt Rockhold, Chris Tarentelli, Kasey Kempton, Keith Evener

Assistant Coaches: Phil Campbell, George Pallo, Jim Weaver, Greg Koons, Charlie Gatchel

Managers: Adam Faires, Phillip Faires, Jeff Trace, Joe Pallo

Dr. Frank Demint, team doctor

1995 Coach Phil Faires

9/1/1995 Symmes Valley Away W 42 0

9/12/1995 Ports. Notre Dame Away L 14 20

9/15/1995 Green Local Away W 55 8

9/22/1995 Belpre Home W 19 16

9/29/1995 Nelsonville-York Home L 6 18

10/6/1995 Alexander Away L 7 26

10/13/1995 Southern Meigs Home W 56 6

10/20/1995 Eastern Meigs Home L 12 46

10/27/1995 Federal Hocking Away L 14 33

11/3/1995 Miller Home W 19 6

The Portsmouth Notre Dame game was postponed to Tuesday the 12th due to a non-certified employees strike. Notre Dame would finish the year undefeated and make the playoffs.

Final Computer Rank: 17th Division V Region 20

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Joe Wright (Defensive Player of the Year), Keith Dugan, Zach Miller

All District: Joe Wright (Defensive Player of the Year), Mike McClelland

All Ohio: First Team - Joe Wright

Team Members: Stephen Snyder, Marty Christa, Keith Dugan, Joe Wright, Steve Pallo, Nathan Dugan, Mike McClelland, T. Jay Shultz, Doug Fox, John Richards, Chas Richards, Dave Christman, Frank Hogsett, Jim Richards, Brian Camechis, Josh Angle, Ryan Riley, Jay Roberts, Chris Shafer, Zach Miller, Eric Reynolds, Brian Orsborne, Dan Meade, Shayne Stanley, Kasey Kempton, Anthony Collura, Terry Duncan, Eugene Collins, Matt Rockhold, Jeremy Skaggs, Mike Drake, Brady Trace, Brett Nott, Steve Judson, Dustin McClellan, Dave Brown, Jason Tippie, Rob Cooper, Terry McCoy, Jason Snyder, Donny Brooks, Chris Snyder, Paul Curry, Cody McCoy, Joe Canter, Carl Fouts

Assistant Coaches: Dave Richards, Phil Campbell, Greg Koons, George Pallo

Managers: Adam Faires, Phillip Faires, Joe Pallo  Dr. Frank Demint, Team Doctor

1996 Coach Phil Faires

8/30/1996 Symmes Valley Home W 24 7

9/6/1996 Ports. Notre Dame Home W 20 16

9/13/1996 Green Local Home W 47 14

9/20/1996 Chesapeake Away L 0 48

9/27/1996 Nelsonville-York Away L 13 35

10/4/1996 Alexander Home L 14 30

10/11/1996 Southern Meigs Away W 47 25

10/18/1996 Eastern Meigs Away W 21 6

10/25/1996 Federal Hocking Home L 22 35

11/1/1996 Miller Away W 34 0

Final Computer Rank: 23rd Division V Region 20

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Zach Miller, Brian Camechis, Josh McClelland, Brady Trace

All District: Brian Orsborne, Zach Miller, Brian Camechis

Team Members: Jay Roberts, Zach Miller, Josh Angle, Brian Orsborne, Brian Camechis, Tim Osborne, Danny Meade, Jim Richards, Jason Snyder, Chris Shafer, Ryan Riley, Eric Reynolds, David Mills, Casey Christa, Rick Morris, Cody McCoy, Phil Faires, Sean Gillespie, Bobby Tomlin, Charley Gilkey, Shad Stanley, Paul Curry, Josh McCown, Dave Brown, Robbie Cooper, Kasey Kempton, Dustin McClellan, Carl Fouts, Jesse Exline, Steve Judson, Chris Snyder, Jason Tippie, Anthony Collura, Joe Canter, Chris Tarantelli, Jake Wooten, Brady Trace, Matt Rockhold

Assistant Coaches: Phil Campbell, Tony Trace, Greg Koons, Mike Cuckler, George Pallo, Don Holbert

Managers: Hannah Faires, Adam Faires, Joe Pallo, Jeff Trace, Julie Trace

1997 Coach Phil Faires

8/29/1997 Symmes Valley Away L 6 34

9/5/1997 Alexander Away W 20 12

9/12/1997 Green Local Away L 18 19

9/19/1997 Chesapeake Home L 20 56

9/26/1997 Nelsonville-York Home L 0 54

10/3/1997 Waterford Away W 43 0

10/10/1997 Southern Meigs Home W 34 6

10/17/1997 Eastern Meigs Home W 46 7

10/24/1997 Federal Hocking Away W 18 15

10/31/1997 Miller Home W 19 14

Waterford joins the TVC-Hocking, Alexander moves to the TVC-Ohio

Final Computer Rank: 11th Division VI Region 23

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Brady Trace (Defensive Player of the Year) Josh Limo (Offensive Player of the Year) Anthony Collura, Josh McClelland, Chris Tarantelli, Rob Cooper, Carl Fouts

All District: Brady Trace (Defensive Player of the Year), Josh Limo, Josh McClelland

All Ohio: First Team - Brady Trace, Second Team - Josh Limo

Team Members: Chris Snyder, Josh Limo, Anthony Collura, Chris Tarantelli, Matt Rockhold, Josh McClelland, Kasey Kempton, Dave Brown, Paul Curry, Steve Judson, B.J. Burdette, Cody McCoy, Carl Fouts, Robbie Cooper, Brady Trace, Joe Canter, Dustin McClellan, Jason Tippie, Phil Faires, Casey Christa, Jesse Richmond, Jack Lane, Shad Stanley, Rick Nott, Steve Sanders, Tim Drake, Justin Guinther, Adam Jago, Mike Downs, Richard Downs, John Giffin, Joe Potter, Derek Shaner, Kasey Dixon

Assistant Coaches: Greg Koons, Rusty Martin, Jeremy Deatty, Scott Porterfield, Dennis Osborne, Don Holbert

Managers: Hannah Faires, Julie Trace

1998 Coach Phil Faires

9/4/1998 Symmes Valley Home W 21 13

9/11/1998 Alexander Home W 18 14

9/18/1998 Green Local Home W 21 7

9/26/1998 Ports. Notre Dame Away W 21 14

10/2/1998 Nelsonville-York Away L 25 29

10/9/1998 Waterford Home W 15 12

10/16/1998 Southern Meigs Away W 51 7

10/23/1998 Eastern Meigs Away W 45 6

10/30/1998 Federal Hocking Home W 20 0

11/6/1998 Miller Away W 41

Final Computer Rank: 6th Division V Region 19

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Brady Trace (Defensive Player of the Year) Rob Cooper (Offensive Player of the Year) Dave Brown, Carl Fouts, Steve Judson, Dustin McClellan, Cody McCoy

All District: Brady Trace (Defensive Player of the Year), Rob Cooper, Cody McCoy

All Ohio: First Team - Brady Trace

1999 Coach Phil Faires

8/27/1999 Symmes Valley Away L 0 44

9/3/1999 Alexander Away L 21 32

9/10/1999 Green Local Away L 23 53

9/17/1999 Ports. Notre Dame Home L 8 45

9/24/1999 Nelsonville-York Home L 7 33

10/1/1999 Waterford Away W 28 13

10/8/1999 Southern Meigs Home W 38 25

10/15/1999 Eastern Meigs Home L 12 14

10/22/1999 Federal Hocking Away L 14 26

10/29/1999 Miller Home L 19 48

Final Computer Rank: 21st Division VI Region 23

Post Season Awards:

All TVC Hocking: Phillip Faires (Offensive Player of the Year) Casey Christa, Shad Stanley, Justin Guinther

All District: Phillip Faires, Casey Crista, Bobby Trace

All Ohio: First Team - Phillip Faires

Team Members: Justin Guinther, Jess Brunton, Rick Nott, Jeff Trace, Phil Faires, Zach Walton, Mike Jago, Jack Lane, Bobby Tomlin, Bobby Trace, Adam Jago, Joe Cooper, Alex Shust, Larry Buchman, R.J. Andrews, Jason Leach, Marc Skinner, Robert Dellinger, Kyle Andrews, Chris Parker, Travis Nott, Josh Shafer, Casey Christa, Billy Ray, Jeremy Skinner, Kasey Dixon, Mike Losey, Jesse Richmond, Adam Faires, John Townley, John Boudinot, Chase Lowery, Jason Smith, Robbie LaRochelle, Joe Potter, John Giffin, Shad Stanley, Mike Downs, Sean Gillespie, Justin Hodgson

Assistant Coaches: Tony Trace, Todd Trace, Phil Campbell, Donny Holbert, Rusty Martin, Greg Koons, Dave Brown

Managers: Hannah Faires, Julie Trace, Jeremiah Couch