Lake City- In 2015, the Columbia Tigers decimated the Lee Generals 53-0 at Tiger stadium. That would be the last time the team would get a win against the Generals in three straight meetings, including a playoff loss to them in 2016 by 34 points. For most of the seniors, the win in 2015 was a distant memory as many weren’t even on the varsity team. So it should’ve been to no one’s surprise that they would come out and play with three years worth of purposefulness in their game against Lee, defeating the Generals 42-37 and snapping the three game losing streak.
The game got off to a extremely fast start with Columbia striking first. With 10:30 left on the clock, Quarterback Jordan Smith hit wide receiver Marquez Bell for 36-yard score and just like that Columbia was up 7-0. The quick score was something that the Tigers knew they needed to do. ” It felt good to send a message” said senior Wide-Receiver T.J Jones. “We haven’t beat these boys and everybody is looking to see what we are gonna do, what I am gonna do”. Well all Jones did was score two touchdowns himself, adding to the one by his partner Bell. Jones would score on a 26 yd touchdown reception and then on a 69 yard reception in the game.
However Lee would not go quietly. The days of 53 point blowouts were over, and the Generals showed why by responding with several drives of their own. The first occurred on their first possession. Down seven early, Cam Sapp hit Taz Nicholson for a 27 yard pass play and then Juriel Caldwell on a 20 yard pass play to set up Nicholson for a 3 yard touchdown run up the middle to tie the game 7-7. After a promising first first drive, their second drive would illuminate a problem that would plague them all night. After an interception and nice return by defensive end Ralph Mency which set the Generals up on the Columbia 15 yard line, Lee failed to finish the drive on a short field. A field goal attempted was thwarted due to a fumbled snap and Lee would come away with nothing.
Touchdown!!!! #J. Caldwell pic.twitter.com/qlKPaufwdQ
— Riverside Generals (@RHSGenerals) September 15, 2018
Coming away with points is crucial in a game of two powerhouses with play makers, and Columbia’s Jordan Smith would make his claim as the ultimate playmaker. Smith would complete a long pass to T.J Jones, and finish the drive in style when he scrambled from the 10 yard line eluding four tacklers and dove into the end zone for the go ahead score to make it 14-7. The ensuing drive saw Lee march down the field and tie the ball game when Sapp hit Caldwell for a 12 yard touchdown pass to tie the score 14-14. This would be the last time the play makers for Lee would be able to match the dynamic plays by Columbia. Led by Smith, Columbia would go down the field in the second quarter and score on another touchdown run by Smith, this time from 29 yards to put Columbia up 21-14. Lee had an opportunity to retaliate, but a 4th and goal from the Columbia 13 yard line failed and Columbia would take over.
After a punt by Columbia from their own endzone, Lee had a chance to tie the ball game again with good field position. Yet another play maker for Columbia stepped up as CB Ahmad Williams stripped Kevonte Doles and raced 75 yards for the Tiger touchdown. Williams would be one of the leaders in tackles and pass deflections for the Tigers, as he redeemed himself after being victimized by Caldwell earlier in the game. The play summed up an evening that defined both teams. Lee’s inability to finish drives in the red zone and Columbia’s athletes making plays in the zone.
In the second half, Quarterback Jordan Smith did not return after suffering a concussion from a vicious hit from Lee’s linebacker Deshaun Davis at the conclusion of the first half. In trotted Sophomore Quarterback Ty Welinger for the Tigers, and with the poise of a senior tossed two touchdown passes to Jones to forge an insurmountable lead for Columbia. Although they gave up several points, the Tiger defense would cement the win for the Tigers as players like linebacker Lavonte Camiel harassed Lee’s quarterback Cam Sapp all night with a sack and several pressures.
Yet Lee would make the game close as Sapp hit Terry Mckinney for a 9-yard touchdown, Taz Nicholson on a 40 yard reception ( his 2nd TD of the game) and Kevonte Doles on a 35 yard touchdown capping an impressive four touchdown passing night for Sapp. But it was too little too late, as the damage was already done by Columbia who took a safety late in the game to secure their victory over Lee.
Lee looks to rebound against St Frances Academy ( Baltimore MD), a national powerhouse that the Generals scheduled recently. While Columbia will look to continue their revenge tour in snapping losing streaks as they face Madison County this week. The Tigers haven’t bested the Cowboys in 52 years, so why not end two streaks in one season.
