Lake City- Columbia defeated Trinity 38-7 Friday night in the rumble in the jungle. During last year’s momentous battle, the Tigers would sustain a close 31-30 loss to the Conquerors. That close loss stuck with the team as quarterback Jordan Smith, running back Kylen Callum, and wide receiver Marquez Bell remembered that feeling as juniors. Now as seniors, they lead an high powered Columbia offense into their senior season opener, looking for a different outcome.
Trinity looked for the same outcome from a year ago, however the 2019 edition of the Conquerors is not the same as the 2018 team. Running back Marcus Crowley graduated and is a currently at Ohio State. Isaiah Washington, and Dreshawn Dawkins have also since graduated. It was the task of seniors Fred Davis, Miles Brooks, and William Tippens to stop the Tigers. A tough challenge in a Tiger’s den.
Columbia’s Coach Brian Allen would go on to say, “The guys came out mentally and physically prepared and they executed. We plan to get ten percent better each week. I have reiterated to the team to not allow their last success to become their greatest failure”.
Jordan Smith led the Tigers with 71 rushing yards and one touchdown. Lanadrick Bradley rushed for 27 yards and scored 2 touchdown runs. Kylen Callum and Jailen Brown would each score touchdowns for Columbia. Callum said after the game, “We are more than a team. We are a family. It’s all love”.
The much anticipated game opened up with Trinity winning the coin toss with a decision to defer to the second half. The Conquerors Triston Herndon had two big stops against the Tiger offense. William Tippens would assist with one of those big plays on defense. It would be the offenses turn to step up, and they did so in a big way. On fourth down and six yards to go, Trinity’s Kaleb Killian would score a 42 yard touchdown run. Along with the good extra point the score saw Trinity take an early 7-0 lead.
Columbia attempted to get Kylen Callum started with run attempts, but they were haltered by Trinity’s defensive lineman Mitchell Bishop and linebacker Lucius Lattimore. After unsuccessful attempts at a running the ball, the Tigers would settle for a field goal with 6:15 left in the first quarter. Later in the quarter Kyjuan Herndon would attempt a number of runs but they were stopped by defensive back Devin Johnson and defensive end Terrick Ponds on different plays.
With the ball back in Columbia’s possession, Jordan Smith would throw a pass to Marquez Bell for a first down. but Trinity’s Miles Brooks would break up Smith’s next pass as both teams matched skill for skill in the first quarter as Trinity led 7-3.
The second quarter would begin with a more aggressive Columbia offense as Kylen Callum scored a touchdown off a 49 yard pass from Smith with 11:04 seconds remaining in the quarter. The Tigers would take over the lead 11-7.
Trinity attempted to run the ball with Killian yet his run attempts were met with opposition from Columbia’s defensive back Dante Brown and Terrick Ponds. Columbia would get the ball back as Smith used his legs gaining ten yards. His running would open it up for Bradley who would break through with a twelve yard rush for a touchdown. Columbia would increase the lead over Trinity to 17-7 going into half time.
The Tiger defense continued to apply pressure to the Conquerer’s offense going into the third quarter. On the fourth down, fans would witness an exceptional play by Smith as he raced through the Trinity defense and down the field for Columbia’s third touchdown of the evening. The Tigers would then lead 24-7.
Trinity tried running the ball with Herndon but his attempt was halted by Tiger’s middle linebacker Jaden Dunn. The stops on defense lead to success on offense as Columbia got another great pass by Smith, leading to a 20 yard rushing touchdown by Jailen Brown. The third quarter would end 31-7, Columbia.
Jaiden Tilliston would shut down the Trinity offense with big tackles. A tiger interception by Devin Johnson would eventually lead to a second touchdown by Bradley on the evening.
With the win, Columbia (1-0) starts the season off right and faces another tough test in Oakleaf (1-0). Trinity (0-1) has a tough schedule ahead facing Godby next week.
Featured image courtesy of A&A Photography
