Chris McKeon, athletic director at Columbus High School (Fla.) — home of the Explorers — understands the importance of having seven people representing the school when Miami and Indiana face off Monday in the CFP national championship game.
What he didn’t anticipate was that these connections would lead others to assume that game tickets would magically appear on his desk.
“Oh man, they come from everywhere thinking I have them,” McKeon said. “I don’t have a better chance than anyone else of getting a ticket to this game. We’re just proud to be so well represented on such a big stage.”
The school is 8 km from the University of Miami and 20 km from Hard Rock Stadium.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is one of five players who once patrolled the field for the Explorers, in addition to Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and Miami assistant head coach Alex Mirabal.
All five players have won a state title in Columbus, including the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and his brother, Hoosiers backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza. Miami rounds out the quintet of former Explorers with defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald, offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez and backup quarterback Vinny Gonzalez.
Further solidifying the Explorers’ CFP title connection, Cristobal and Mendoza’s father, Fernando Sr., were teammates in Columbus.
South Florida’s web of connections doesn’t stop there.
Another Miami area program is also linked to the CFP title game. Miami quarterback Carson Beck’s high school team, the Mandarin Mustangs, beat Columbus in the 2018 Florida 8A state championship game — a matchup that included Mario Cristobal’s nephew, Luis Cristobal Jr., on the field for the Explorers.
A year later, the Explorers reclaimed the title, winning the state championship with current Indiana quarterback on the roster.
“It’s pretty cool to have so many ties to the national title game,” Columbus coach Dave Dunn said. “I coached all five of our players in this game. Coach Cristobal’s sons are on our team. I worked with coach Mirabal at Columbus and Marshall, and I had three of his nephews play for me. It’s like family. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Dunn isn’t just saying that because he managed to get a ticket to the game. He’s already committed to walking into Hard Rock Stadium wearing Columbus gear.
“I was lucky enough to get a ticket through the connections, so it will be a fun experience,” Dunn said. “Of course it just gets more people asking for tickets, but we’re having a watch party, so that helps.”
Fans will be able to watch the Canes and Hoosiers on the Explorers scoreboard on the football field without worrying about a possible late night as Columbus closes its doors to students for the big game.
“They can stay up late and enjoy the game without having to worry about coming to school the next day,” McKeon said. “The president and principal thought it would be a good thing to do for everyone because of our involvement.”
On the other hand, it is because of Columbus’ involvement that McKeon and Dunn cannot – for the rest of their lives – choose a side.
Dunn likened it to choosing a favorite child, while McKeon said relationships alone “won’t even let me go down that route of rooting for a particular team.”
“The ties are too tight, too deep,” McKeon said. “The best part is, at the end of the game, whether it’s the Canes or the Hoosiers, it’s going to be the Explorers. It’s the one game we here in Columbus can’t lose, and it’s a game we’re all excited about.”
Source | domain www.espn.com
