WESTSIDE – As often not the case, for once the Game of the Year actually lived up to the hype and then some.
Co No. 1’s Columbia and Trinity Christian met Saturday night at Conqueror Stadium in a much anticipated showdown that has been talked about for weeks; fortunately for everyone in attendance it lived up to the hype.
Trailing 31-30 with 1:28 left in the game, Columbia head coach Brian Allen had a major decision on his hands, kick the point after attempt and tie it up and put the game on his defense or go for two and try to win it right now.
Allen chose the latter and it backfired on him as quarterback Jordan Smith was stuffed on the two point conversion allowing Trinity Christian to hold off Columbia 31-30 Saturday night.
What a game, what an ending, Game of the Year lives up to the hype. Trinity 31, Columbia 30 @DuvalSports
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 30, 2018
One thing was certain as both teams left the field Saturday, while there won’t be a rematch this year they are both likely to see each other in Orlando in December at the FHSAA State football finals.
Early on it looked like the goal line stand wasn’t needed as Columbia established a ten point lead at the half in total control of the game early on, only to see Trinity erase it in a span of two minutes.
Part of that reason was the play of senior Marcus Crowley, a Miami commit, who ran for a career high 266 yards and three touchdowns on the night.
On the second play of the third quarter, Crowley raced 68 yards down the left sideline to cut the lead to 17-14 less than a minute into the quarter.
Stephen Williams diving interception of a Smith pass set up the Conquerors inside the 17 yard line just two plays later.
Steven Williams diving INT sets up Jordan TD pass to Isaiah Washington 21-17 Trinity two minutes into third. @DuvalSports
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Jacory Jordan connected with Isaiah Washington on a 14 yard touchdown reception across the middle giving Trinity its first lead of the game at 21-17 just two minutes into the third quarter.
Lucious Lattimore hauled in a tip pass to give Trinity the ball back just four plays later, however Trinity gave it right back to the Tigers just a few plays later.
Lucious Lattimore catches tip ball for INT, Trinity ball at 33.
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) September 29, 2018
Crowley fumbled the ball and cornerback Scott Brandon was there to pick it up, Brandon fumbled the ball trying to pick it up but was able to pick it up and gain possession of it putting the Tigers at the 43 yard line.
Smith hit TJ Jones on back-to-back plays for 10 and 28 yard completions to put the Tigers inside the 5 yard line. However, Smith and Callum fumbled the exchange and Lattimore recovered it for the Conquerors.
Clayton Roerig 25 yard field goal was blocked by Mike Scippio keeping the score 21-17 with 2:05 left in the third quarter.
Columbia took advantage of the missed field goal as Callum’s 4 yard touchdown run put Columbia back in front at 24-21 with 21 seconds left in the third quarter.
The lead would be short lived though as Crowley raced 50 yards on the final play of the quarter to put Trinity back in the lead at 28-24 heading to the final quarter.
Roerig’s 36 yard field goal extended the Conquerors lead to 31-24 with 2:51 left in the game giving Trinity some much needed breathing room in the closing minutes.
It didn’t get any easier.
Callum busted a 21 yard run on the first play of the drive putting the Tigers past midfield quickly. After two incomplete passes, Callum again found another hole and rumbled 21 yards down to the 24 yard line.
Smith found Jaden Williams for a near ten yard gain to the 14 and Callum capped the drive busting 14 yards up the middle for a score cutting the lead to 31-30.
Then came the back and forth chess match.
Trinity was ruled offside putting the ball at the 1 yard line.
After seeing the formation, Trinity called a timeout to set their defense.
As both teams broke their huddle, Allen called a timeout himself. Perhaps second guessing himself or to make sure each player knew their assignment.
Allen sent out his offense again and Smith snuck forward and appeared to be hit head on before he could cross the goal line.
After a lengthy delay, officials were pulling people off the pile, officials ruled the two point conversion was no good and the Conquerors remained ahead 31-30 with 1:28 left in the game.
The game wasn’t over though as the Conquerors still needed a first down or two to seal the come from behind win.
Columbia attempted an onside kick, however Fred Davis easily came down with it and fell to the ground immediately to give the Conquerors the ball.
Following a short 3 yard run by Crowley, Columbia used its final timeout to stop the clock with 1:19 left in the game. Trinity faced a second and 8, when Crowley broke free for a 8 yard gain to pick up the first down and end the game.
Quite opposite of the first half which saw Columbia dominate with a 17-7 halftime lead.
A high snap over Smith’s head at midfield on the third play of the game picked up by CJ Lockett and returned back to the 13 yard line.
Crowley’s 5 yard touchdown two plays later gave Trinity a 7-0 lead, barely a minute into the game.
Columbia was its worse enemy as well as the Tigers drove inside the 1 yard line thanks to a Smith 45 yard pass to Jones before Jones was pushed out of bounds at the 1 yard line. An ineligible receiver penalty and a 15 yard loss as Smith slipped while trying to set his feet and throw pushed them back to the 21 yard line.
Trailing 7-3, Smith’s 9 yard touchdown run gave Columbia its first lead of the game at 10-7 two minutes into the second quarter.
The defensive battle stayed that way until the closing minutes of the first half when Smith found Bobby Fulton across the middle for a 10 yard score to give Columbia a 17-7 lead with less than a minute left till half.
Crowley’s 40 yard run on the ensuing drive put the Conquerors near midfield but an incomplete pass brought the half to a close.
As proud as Verlon Dorminey was of his team he quickly reminded them it was a short week as Trinity (6-0) travels to Oakleaf (4-1) on Thursday in another huge game.
Columbia (5-1) has the week off before traveling to Atlantic Coast Oct 12 for a District 2-7A game as the Tigers try to move closer to wrapping up a district title.
Featured Image courtesy of Trinity Christian edited by Duval Sports
