Zane Trace Unable to Dig Out of Early Hole in 35-23 Loss to Academy
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An early two-score lead by the Vikings of Columbus Academy was more than the Zane Trace Pioneers could overcome as they closed out their 2025 football postseason campaign in a 35-23 loss in Gahanna Friday night.
The Vikings jumped out to a 6-0 lead at 10:25 of the first quarter with a Gabe Davis-Ray 1 yard run. The touchdown was set up by a 46 yard pass by Academy’s Michael Tishkoff to Charles Rubey who was dropped at the Pioneers’ 1-yard line. The PAT kick was no good.
The Pioneers were forced to punt at mid-field on a quick kick by quarterback Gunner McCullough. Academy took the ball in Zane Trace territory. Despite a fourth down stand by Zane Trace to take over on downs, the Pioneers gave the ball back to Academy on a fumble at 3:48 of the opening quarter. The Vikings then scored in a short drive on another 1 yard plunge by Davis-Ray on fourth down with 1:42 remaining in the period. The two-point try was good for a 14-0 advantage.
ZT finally got on the scoreboard with 3:04 left in the first half when quarterback Gunner McCullough hit Lucas Oiler on a post pattern for a 15 yard touchdown. Preston Lane converted the extra point, cutting Academy’s lead to 14-7. That slim margin didn’t last long as Academy would score three times in the second quarter.
Tishkoff hit Charles Pizzotti on a short pass that turned into a 69 yard touchdown with 2:13 to play in the half for a 21-7 lead. A short time later, the Vikings blocked a second Pioneers’ punt, setting up a 24 yard TD from Tishkoff to Davis-Ray for a 28-7 as time expired to close the second period.
Zane Trace was limited to 90 yards offense in the first half with the 15 yard pass from McCullough to Oiler being their only score. The two blocked punts and forced fumble combined with the Vikings’ passing had been the difference in the game up to that point. By the intermission, Tishkoff was 9-of-16 for 192 yards and a pair of TDs.
The Pioneers opened the second half with the ball, but the drive was cut short when Nick Johnson intercepted a pass by McCullough inside the red zone. Zane Trace forced a Vikings punt, but roughed the kicker which extended the possession for Academy. ZT recovered a fumble a few plays later which led to a six yard run by Brice Johnson to cut the Vikings’ lead to 28-14. Before the period ended, Academy’s Tishkoff to Davis-Ray connection extended the lead to 35-14.
In the 4th, Zane Trace scored as McCullough found Jake Stauffer on a touchdown with 4:32 remaining. The scoring play was setup by a 44-yard run by Johnson to the Academy 3 yard line.
The Vikings only mishap on the evening was a high-snap to the punter as the Pioneer defense held Academy inside its own five. The snap zipped through the hands and over the head of Kevin Klingerman to record a safety to end the scoring at 35-23.
The Pioneers outscored Academy in the second half 16-7, but was unable to overcome their miscues in the first half. Zane Trace head coach, Dylan Wears said after the game, despite the errors, he was incredibly proud of his team’s effort in the second half.
“The kids’ fighting and continuing to go” said Wears, “When faced with some adversity there, they really showed what we’re able to do when things aren’t going our way.”
Johnson finished the game with 148 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. The Pioneers managed just 167 yards on the ground and 107 through the air. Academy’s damage was mostly through the air as Tishkoff threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns.
Academy improved to (9-2) with the win and will host Nelsonville-York next Friday in the Region 19 Semi-Final. The Buckeyes trounced Union Local 35-0 Friday.
The Pioneers close their season at (9-3).
