Chris Blair believes the Columbus High School football team’s defense is underrated.
“We are on a mission this season,” said Blair, a defensive end. “We feel like we can be one of the best defenses in (Mississippi High School Activities Association Class) 6A. A lot of people took notice last year. Now, we are back to show even more people the type of defense we are capable of playing. Everybody on the team is excited about our potential.”
Blair and Columbus will have another chance to show that potential at 7 tonight when they play host to Noxubee County in their home opener. Fans are encouraged to wear black to Falcon Field.
The game is one of the biggest matchups in Week 2. Columbus is No. 5 in The Clarion-Ledger’s latest Super 10, while Noxubee County is No. 10. The Tigers have won the last two MHSAA Class 4A State championships.
“For the defense, it’s a big challenge and we are looking forward to it,” Columbus senior cornerback Derrick Beckom said. “We didn’t play well last year (in a 25-8 loss), so we are looking forward to playing the game and doing a lot better. Right now, the defense is in a good frame of mind, and we just hope to build on that.”
The Columbus defense set the tone in a 14-0 victory against Meridian at the New Hope Jamboree and in a season-opening 26-12 victory against Kemper County last week. Kemper County had one 80-yard drive and also scored on a 10-play, 32-yard drive set up by a short punt.
“We really thought we could have a good defensive unit this year,” Columbus third-year head coach Randal Montgomery said. “We have a lot of speed and a lot of guys who really like to be physical. They are flying to the football and hitting hard. It took us a while to put it all together last season. Certainly, this season it’s a stronger start.”
While the first two efforts were nice, Noxubee County will present the biggest challenge to date. In the second half of its season-opening 24-21 loss to Starkville, the Tigers let sophomore quarterback Maliek Stallings loose and he threw the ball well. He finished with 203 yards and a touchdown.
Thus, the stage is set for a major storyline to be Noxubee County’s passing attack against Columbus’ secondary, which is the team’s most experienced group.
“Our secondary is really great,” Beckom said. “We have a lot of guys who are hungry. I think we just scratched the surface of our potential last year. We proved we belonged in the big games. Now, we have to take the next step and be more consistent. That is what we have to do to play for championships. We have to be more consistent.”
The Columbus defense made quick work of Kemper County’s high-octane offense. The Falcons took control when senior linebacker Patrick Weatherspoon sacked quarterback Eric Clark early in the second quarter, knocking him from the game.
Weatherspoon was one of many delivering big blows. Junior strong safety Braylen Edinburgh and senior strong safety Tyrell Hudgins are others coming into their prime ahead of schedule.
On offense, Columbus will look for a better effort after struggling through wet field conditions. Senior running back Kylin Hill was held to 48 yards. However, senior running back Kendre Conner has put on some weight and looked like a hard-nosed runner again after being severely limited a year ago with a nagging ankle injury.
A dry field also should enable Columbus to unleash its passing game. Senior quarterback C.J. Gholar is expected to go to the air as much as Stallings tonight.
In the end, the bigger questions marks for Columbus, though, were on the defense. So far, the Falcons have had the answers.
“We know we are ranked and all that, but we still don’t have people expecting us to contend (for the state championship),” Blair said. “That just means we keep working hard with more people to prove wrong.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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