Reitz falls to No. 1 Columbus East, 35-21

Reitz hung with top-ranked Columbus East for most of Saturday evening’s game, but came up short when the Olympians pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning, 35-21, and earning a berth in the Class 4A Semi-State Championship game against Indianapolis Cathedral (8-5)

Columbus East, now 14-0, avenged their 61-60 loss in 2007 and earned their first win against the Panthers in school history. Reitz finished 9-4.

• Columbus East powers past Reitz (courierpress.com)
• Reitz, Columbus East battle in 4A regional (14wfie.com)
• Olympians bounce back for regional crown: East overcomes slow start for win (The Republic)
• Reitz vs. Columbus East all-time series (AlmanacSports.com)
• 2012 Reitz football schedule

Thanks to our friends at Tracy Zeller Jewelry for sponsoring GameDay Central and ReitzFootball.com!

Columbus East, Gaddis return to Bowl Saturday

Week 13 GameDay Central brought to you by Tracy Zeller Jewelry

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Nov. 7, 2012 — After passing their biggest test of the season, surviving the No. 2 Jasper Wildcats, 31-30, Reitz has an even bigger challenge coming to the Bowl this Saturday: taking on No. 1 Columbus East for the regional championship.

The Olympians’ coach, Bob Gaddis, is all too familiar with the legendary stadium. Before taking over at Columbus East, he served as the Panther head coach from 1991-2000. He also returned with the Olympians for the legendary roller-coaster 61-60 battle between the two schools. in 2007. Many long-time fans, some who had been going to Reitz games since the 1950s, called it the greatest game they’d ever seen.

However, any psychological advantage that might have given is being downplayed by Gaddis.

“These kids that are playing [for Columbus East] weren’t there,” said Gaddis. “It’s a different team and we haven’t even talked about that game to our players.”

Gaddis faced former Reitz coach John Hart in 2007, but this time it’ll be against someone much closer to him in Coach Lewis, who played under Gaddis and later became one of his assistant coaches.

“Tony was a freshman when I came to South Dearborn,” Gaddis said. “His family became very good friends with ours and I hired him right out of college to coach. I used to go over and watch his games in Ohio [where Lewis had been head coach before coming to Reitz]. He’s been a part of our family and I’m happy for the success he’s had at Reitz. It’s going to be fun to coach against him.”

Lewis, who has the Panthers (9-3) on an eight-game win streak, is hoping for his third regional title. It would be Gaddis’  fourth with the Olympians, who are 12-0.

“We’re happy to playing for a championship in November,” added Gaddis. “It’s going to be a great day for football.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday at Reitz Bowl.

• Reitz, Columbus East football teams hope to rekindle the magic in Class 4A regional (courierpress.com)
• Gaddis, Reitz’s Lewis ready for ‘family reunion’ (courierpress.com)
• Reitz vs. Columbus East all-time series (AlmanacSports.com)
• 2012 Reitz football schedule

Thanks to our friends at Tracy Zeller Jewelry for sponsoring GameDay Central and ReitzFootball.com!

Reitz upsets No. 2 Jasper for sectional crown

The heart of the Mighty Panthers shone threw Friday night at Jerry Brewer Stadium. After trailing, 17-0, late in the first half, Reitz battled back and nailed a field goal with 9.1 seconds left in the game, upsetting the previously undefeated, No. 2 Jasper Wildcats, 31-30, to win the Class 4A Sectional 16 Championship.

The Panthers now lead the series, five games to two, while Jasper finished their season at 11-1.

It was the 14th sectional title for Reitz and their first since 2009. The Panthers (9-3) will now face the No. 1 team in the state, Columbus East (12-0), led by former Reitz head coach, Bob Gaddis.

• Reitz overtakes No. 2 Jasper 31-30 with late field goal (courierpress.com)
• Reitz vs. Jasper all-time series (AlmanacSports.com)
• 2012 Reitz football schedule

Thanks to our friends at Tracy Zeller Jewelry for sponsoring GameDay Central and ReitzFootball.com!