Columbus High School senior quarterback C.J. Gholar stood on about the 2-yard line at Falcon Field and looked across the way, hoping to speak to a friend from West Point.
A grueling, physical, emotionally draining game had just taken place. For the second time in three weeks, Columbus had exhausted all options and come up short, falling 17-13 to West Point before a capacity crowd Friday night.
Columbus opened the home portion of its schedule with a heart-breaking 24-23 loss to Noxubee County two weeks ago. The Falcons again had a fourth-quarter lead against the Green Wave, but they saw their hopes for victory dashed in the final seconds.
“We gave it all we had,” Gholar said. “We can win all of our region games playing like this. We are that close. I know the guys believe that. We just have to keep working and can’t give up. We really are this close.”
It seemed appropriate Gholar had a moment of reflection while looking for his friend. It also seemed appropriate that reflection took place outside the end zone.
As close as Gholar was to the end zone after the game, the Falcons were just as close to being 4-0 and ranked in the top five in the state. Instead, a much-needed open date falls on the schedule with team staring at 2-2 for a second-straight season.
When Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A, Region 1 play begins in two weeks, Columbus will attempt to eclipse last season’s 6-1 finish.
“We are a 2-2 football team,” Columbus coach Randal Montgomery said. “It seems like we are better than that, but at the end of the day we are a 2-2 football team. This is where we were a year ago. It hurts because the kids want this so badly. When we got here, the kids didn’t know exactly what they wanted.
“Now, they know. They know the hurt you feel when you give absolutely everything you got and you have a good football team and it is still not enough.”
Columbus ran 32 more plays than West Point and topped the 400-yard mark for a second-straight week. After rushing for 350 yards in a 49-21 win at New Hope, the much-maligned Columbus offensive line again delivered, as the Falcons ran 53 times for 289 yards, an average of 5.5 yards per snap.
Senior Kylin Hill returned from missing the New Hope game to run for 139 yards on 21 carries. The Mississippi State commitment ran for 100 yards for the first time this season after doing it eight times a year ago.
Before being ejected for back-to-back personal foul penalties in the third quarter, senior Kendre Conner ran 17 times for 123 yards. Columbus had no 100-yard rushers in the first two games but it has had two top that mark in each of the last two games.
“We really ran the ball with authority,” Gholar said. “I am really proud of how the guys on the line have stood up. We are capable. I think people are beginning to realize what we can do when we put it together.”
The Falcons found midfield navigation easy. Red-zone navigation wasn’t.
Nine of Columbus’ 10 possessions reached West Point territory. The Falcons had eight trips in the red zone but scored only two field goals and a touchdown.
Noxubee County denied Columbus twice on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line. West Point denied Columbus on fourth-and-3 at the 7 and fourth-and-8 at the 23 on a drive that had moved to the 18.
Hill had two rushing touchdowns brought back by holds and a breathtaking 73-yard punt return touchdown wiped out by a block in the back. He also had a fumble on the West Point 8 with the Falcons protecting a 6-3 lead. An apparent horse collar penalty wasn’t called and the ball went over on the strip by Trevino Harris and recovery by C.J. Melton.
A year ago, West Point dominated at the line of scrimmage en route to a 13-3 victory. This season, the Falcons more than held their own up front. The Columbus defense also was up to the task, allowing only 225 yards of offense.
“We just have to keep working,” Columbus senior defensive lineman Tahj Sykes said. “We are going to catch the breaks and start winning these games. I feel it. Everybody in the locker room knows how close we are to being a great football team.”
The Columbus defense also had two takeaways on the first two possessions. Derrick Beckom had an interception and Chris Blair followed that with a fumble recovery. On offense, the Falcons cashed in on neither, with a missed field goal and a blocked field goal.
West Point (2-1) took its first lead late in the third quarter when junior Marcus Murphy capped a 77-yard, 14-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Also an MSU commitment, Murphy later provided the biggest play when a 50-yard kickoff return set up a 40-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Clayton Knight to Demarrio Edwards.
There was a brief collision about 10 yards downfield. After the collision, Edwards was left wide open and Knight’s easiest throw led to the game-winner.
The Falcons had to marvel that finding the end zone could be that easy.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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