Paluso has been stuck at 198 all season. Obviously, Coach James did not want to let Paluso get started back towards 200 in the Lakers' game against his Rangers. Northwood defeated Danbury Friday night, 49-14.
"I'm really pulling for him to get it," Coach James exclaimed. "I would really love to see him get it, that would be cool."
Coach James has known Paluso since 1987, the first time he coached against him.
"You're not going to find a classier guy. Their teams were regularly in the playoffs when he was at (Fostoria) St. Wendelin. I think he made it to the state finals one year. He's an excellent coach and an even better person."
James noted that Paluso returned to the Danbury job after a several-year absence when Cory Konrad had to step down because of an illness in his family.
"Cory, a younger guy, was doing a really good job and was an assistant coach for Gene several years back and he had things on the right track. At this stage, family comes first, obviously, and Gene had to step in and help him and that's just the kind of guy he is."
To get those two wins to reach 200, Danbury will have to do it with two wins against three remaining opponents Toledo Christian, Ottawa Hills, and Swanton. This Friday, the Lakers host the TC Eagles at home. If the Lakers don't get the wins, Paluso, who James estimates to be in his sixties age-wise, would need another season.
"You never can tell," James said. "Maybe he'll stay back with it a couple years, I don't know."
Danbury backs Steve Fannin and George Biedenbach almost made it appear as if the first win could happen against the Rangers early on. After the Rangers scored on a one-yard run by Nate James, Fannin returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to tie the score at six points apiece. It was Fannin's fourth kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
But the Rangers continued rolling, scoring 41 points in the first half to take control of this Toledo Area Athletic Conference football game
Danbury came back in the fourth quarter on a two-yard run by Biedenbach for a second touchdown. Mike Bossetti ran for two more points on the Laker's point-after conversion to close the scoring.
"I thought the kids did a good job," Coach Paluso said. "Our problem is we get things going, then we'll make a silly mistake. We'll put the ball on the ground or we'll make a penalty. When you're not as physical as the people you are playing, that is tough to overcome."
Northwood had 395 yards rushing on 38 attempts, while Danbury had 169 on 40 carries, most of them by Biedenbach. The Lakers completed one pass in six attempts for eight yards, while Northwood quarterback Kyle Gunn completed 7-of-12 for 50 yards.
The Rangers led in total offense 445 to 177 and in first downs 16 to 9. Each team lost a fumble, but Danbury was forced to punt seven times, Northwood only twice. The Rangers were penalized the most, six times for 55 yards, while the Lakers only got three yellow flags for 20 yards.
Biedenbach led Danbury with 160 yards rushing on 32 carries, impressing both coaches.
"He had a nice ballgame. He played both sides of the ball and played very well," Coach Paluso said. "He just did a nice job of following the block and finding the open slots and gave it all to us, really."
James added, "He got a bunch of carries and he had a good game against us. He ran hard."
Northwood remains in first place at 6-1 overall, 4-0 in the league. In addition, the Rangers, classified in Division 5 by one student over Division 6, are two spots away from qualifying for the playoffs with three weeks remaining.
"We may not get in at 5. We'll see how it works," James said.
Danbury remains winless in seven games, so Paluso has not been able to get those two victories to reach that magic number. His career spans well over three decades, including most of it at Fostoria St. Wendelin and a good portion at Danbury.
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