Now that the word is out, the Columbus High School football team will have to be even better.
Columbus delivered a mild surprise Saturday, breaking out to a 21-0 lead en route to a 27-12 victory against Noxubee County in the second annual Fall High School Jamboree at Mississippi State”s Davis Wade Stadium.
The result, which came in two 20-minute running quarters, wasn”t as stunning as you would think considering Columbus, a Class 6A school, won four games last season, while Noxubee County won 13 in reaching the Class 4A North State title game.
The Falcons had the element of surprise and experience at their disposal. With seniors Cedrick Jackson, Damian Baker, and Deontae Jones at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, Columbus can argue it has one of the state”s top trios. Factor in sophomore quarterback Trace Lee, who also is a standout baseball player, and the Falcons can change gears and add a dimension to their offense. With little time to prepare for the two-quarterback system, it shouldn”t have been surprising Columbus struck quickly and often.
Columbus” first real test of the season will come at 7:30 tonight when it takes on two-time Class 3A runner-up Aberdeen. The Bulldogs return eight seniors on defense, including highly recruited defensive end Channing Ward.
Columbus coach Tony Stanford isn”t hiding the fact that the Falcons plan to use Jackson and Lee tonight. He said the team practiced all week with two quarterbacks and feels the team had a good week and is ready to go.
“(Using two quarterbacks) gives us a different look because they both have different talents,” Stanford said. “I think it will really help us during the year. When one is not playing well the other one can come in and help us.”
Stanford said Jackson is a capable passer but he provides more of a running threat, while Lee is more of a pocket passer who can read defenses.
Columbus will need both qualities tonight against an athletic defense with size that has stated its goal of allowing zero points this season.
“I think it will be a major test,” Stanford said. “They have played for the state championship two straight years, and the people who are back on that defense have been the main cogs. It will be a major challenge because of the talent they have. I am hoping our offense will rise to the occasion. I am worried about it because they”re so good on defense.”
In other local games, New Hope will travel to Louisville, West Lowndes will play Montgomery County, and Heritage Academy will play at Lamar.
Unfortunately, the injury bug already has bit coach Brad Butler”s Patriots. Junior Parker Dunaway had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his lower leg, according to Butler, and likely will miss the season.
Last year, Heritage Academy lost senior John Laws Ferguson to injury early in the season and then lost quarterback Brandon Bell to an injury in the middle of the year.
Butler said his team has overcome the setback and is prepared to face a Lamar team that is known for its up-tempo offenses.
“They try to get a lot of snaps in the no huddle and try to get a lot of opportunities to get the home run ball,” Butler said. “We did get a jamboree film on them and they seem to be a little bit more balanced from what we have seen, but like I said you never know.”
Heritage Academy beat Tuscaloosa Academy and lost to Bessemer Academy last week in a jamboree that featured one 25-minute quarter with a running clock. Butler said the Patriots used the jamboree to try to get the right mix at positions and he feels the team has found a lot of fits for players.
With Dunaway”s injury, Butler said several players, including Parker Turner and Hunter Bean are in the mix to see more playing time.
At New Hope, Michael Bradley hopes his team will be able to finish drives after it failed to score an offensive touchdown in a 7-0 victory against Philadelphia in the Fall High School Jamboree.
“We had several good drives against Philadelphia, but we were our own worst enemy pretty much,” Bradley said. “We have to eliminate the mistakes against ourselves. That happens in any first game. We hope to do a better job executing the plays we have.”
Bradley also knows the Trojans will have to execute on defense against quarterback Wyatt Roberts and wide receiver C.J. Bates. Louisville”s passing game scored three touchdowns against West Point in a 21-20 victory on Saturday at MSU.
“Louisville has a good quarterback, and any time you let a good quarterback have time to throw in the pocket he is going to tear you up,” Bradley said.
At West Lowndes, Anthony King will take the field for the first time as head coach at his alma mater when his Panthers travel to Montgomery County.
King, who worked as head coach at East Oktibbeha County High and as an assistant coach last season at Noxubee County, replaces Bobby Berry, one of his former coaches at Motley High.
King”s hiring wasn”t approved until early July, so he said he hasn”t had time to install all of his offense, while most of his defense has been put in. He credits the work of assistant coaches Todd Stanley and Eddie Chatman for helping him and the players make a smooth transition to a new system.
King said he will rely on the experience of returning starters Antonio Wilson (running back) and Gerald Sanders (quarterback) to lead the offense. Wilson rushed for nearly 1,700 yards last season.
“I have been lovin” it,” King said of being at his alma mater. “It has been a blessing. We have a lot of talent here. I am going to do my part to put in the foundation and to get it developed and to take it to the next level.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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