'Cows dominate the field

In their most impressive showing of the year, the Oberlin Flying Horsecows went 6-0 over two days of East Plains Sectionals, winning the section in resounding fashion. The 'Cows controlled every game nearly from the start, and assured themselves of a high seed in this weekend's Great Lakes Regional in Champagne, Illinois.

Oberlin controlled the tournament thanks to their best defensive effort of the year, forcing turnover after turnover. "The teams in our section had a vitamin D deficiency, and we were more than happy to administer - and you know where that shot goes," senior co-captain John Fedota said.

The scene and the clouds opened last Saturday in Columbus, with the Horsecows starting off against a severely undermanned Kentucky team, who brought only the minimum of seven players. Oberlin rolled to an easy victory, 15-4, getting the opportunity to work out the early-morning kinks. The next contest came against a good Miami University team, but the 'Cows were able to dominate defensively and roll to a 14-6 win. Since Toledo University was a no-show, Oberlin played their final game against the Ohio State B-team. Though full of promise, they were simply not on the same level as the 'Cows, who won 15-1. Among the many highlights of the game was a catch on defense in the OSU-B end zone for a score by first-year Nate Marsh. Seeded first in the pool, Oberlin was then able to retire for the day and rest up for the real competition.

Junior Paul Pitcher continued his scoring ways, as did seniors Dan Feldman, co-captain Ben Grubb and sophomore Adam Zucker. Those three and the rest of the longs were the beneficiaries of consistently good long puts from senior handlers Scott Houghtaling and Sandy Bilus. Senior rookie Jono Courtwright summed up the first day's efforts best, saying, "It made me feel kinda funny, like when I used to climb the ropes in gym. Especially the way Scott played, and how he gave me that scoober in the end zone."

The first day's domination led to Oberlin's being seeded first on day two of sectionals, and as such gaining a first-round bye. Sunday's first contest came against a physical but inexperienced Ohio Northern team, and Oberlin coasted to a 15-2 victory, capped by a connection from the only first-years present at the tourney, Marsh and Jake Kramer-Duffield, for the winning score.

Then came the first real match of the tournament, against host Ohio State. The 'Cows had beaten OSU twice the previous weekend at GLO, and four times total in the season.