Many members of this year’s Columbus Wildcat football team weren’t even born the last time (3-6 overall; 2-5 Class 1A District 6) the program made the postseason.

Head coach Jeff Martin said the football team hasn’t been in the postseason since 1997, the same year many members of this year’s senior class were born. The Wildcats’ reward for their first appearance in the state football playoffs in 18 years is a date with undefeated West Branch Bears (9-0 overall; 7-0 Class 1A District 5).

The first round meeting features two of the best running backs in the state. West Branch’s Luke Lenoch has recorded 1,523 yards, the fifth most at Class 1A, and 22 touchdowns, tied for second most in the state. Columbus’s Mauricio Ramirez has rushed for 1360 yards, seventh most in the state, and his 15 rushing touchdowns are tied for 11th most in Class 1A.

Columbus’s best offensive output of the season came on Friday when the Wildcats scored 7 touchdowns in a 68-22 victory. Four different Columbus running backs found the endzone, including junior Carter Colby, junior Daniel Fuentez, junior Ruben Paz, and sophomore Able Mena. Colby also threw for three touchdowns in the playoff clinching victory.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. tonight at West Branch High School.