Transition no trouble for Kuhlman

OTTAWA - With the graduation of starting quarterback Jake Meyer last spring, the Ottawa-Glandorf football team was in desperate need for someone to fill his shoes.

Taylor Kuhlman - used primarily as a cornerback last season - decided to step up to the challenge.

Kuhlman, a senior, has done much more than step up to the challenge. His athletic style of play at quarterback has helped lead O-G (8-4) to Friday's Division IV regional final game at Bowling Green's Doyt L. Perry Stadium against Genoa Area (12-0) at 7:30 p.m.

For the season, including 11 games at quarterback, Kuhlman has rushed for 696 yards on 129 carries, scoring 17 touchdowns. He has completed 51 of 95 passes for 756 yards and six touchdowns. Kuhlman boasts a 126.6 quarterback rating.

However, according to O-G coach Ken Schriner, it's not just the statistics that stand out, but the way Kuhlman leads the team.

"He was a starter at cornerback, last year," Schriner said. "He was a backup fullback - probably No. 2 or even No. 3. He really didn't even figure into the offense (last year).

"Back in the spring, he said that he wanted to give it (playing quarterback) a shot. He said he wanted to do anything to help the team."

With the quarterback position in question, along with the loss of standout running back Logan Kaufman in the second game of the season with a season-ending knee injuring, the Titans were facing a great deal of adversity.

But with the way Kuhlman stepped into the starting role, along with the insertion of Jacob Lugo (1,423 yards rushing, 8 TDs) at running back, the Titans have been plowing their way through the playoffs.

"It's a credit to our coaches, for the evolution of Taylor at quarterback," Schriner said. "In the preseason, we weren't even sure who would be the starter at quarterback. We had a few guys working at it."

Schriner said with Kuhlman at quarterback, opposing teams cannot just load up the defensive line in hopes of slowing down Lugo and fullback Cory Greve (347 yards rushing).

"When teams load up on our running backs then he gives us a third option," Schriner said. "Taylor's not a great thrower, but he throws pretty well ... and he can run the option. Teams can only load up so much and get away with it."

In last week's 28-21 overtime win in a regional semifinal against Marion Pleasant, Kuhlman took full advantage of the way Pleasant overloaded the line, rushing for 143 yards and scoring three touchdowns. He also passed for another 73 yards.

Schriner said the matchup with Genoa Area will be O-G's biggest challenge of the season.

"They're undefeated ... and they just knocked off the No. 1 team in their region," Schriner said. "And we all know how good Fostoria is."

Fostoria defeated O-G 21-7 in the first game of the season. Last week, Genoa defeated Fostoria 28-14 in a regional semifinal.

Schriner said this year's squad has been led by a special group of seniors.

"This senior class had 40 on their freshman squad," he said. "Now, there are 15. It's a credit to their demeanor and attitude.

"The thing about these guys is that they never get too high with their highs and never get too low with their lows. After we started out 0-2, they could have easily packed it in ... but they didn't."