DEKALB – Columbus High School senior defensive tackle Josh Gray takes great pride in going from follower to leader.
At the same time, the eighth-ranked Falcons are enjoying moving from underdog to favorite.
“It feels really good,” Gray said. “Knowing how people used to doubt us. They used to say that’s Columbus, that’s a nobody. Now, every team knows they have to prepare for us. They know they are going to be in for a fight. When you are playing teams that are playing their absolute best, it brings out the best in you. You really shine in those situations.”
On a dreadful night for weather and penalties, the Columbus defense turned in a masterpiece as Columbus knocked off Kemper County 26-12 in the prep football season opener for both teams at Landon B. Mitchell Field.
Both teams finished with less than 250 yards of total offense, while combining for 37 penalties and 331 penalty yards.
“Offensively, we are a work in progress,” Columbus coach Randal Montgomery said. “We knew when the season started, the defense was going to have to hold us in games. We have a lot of new guys (on the offensive line) and this is what we are going to have to deal with until it clicks for them.
“Overall, this looked like a first game.”
Columbus won eight games last season, thanks in part to one of the best defenses in the state. Even though, the Falcons lost six starters off that unit, the task is simple. The new-look Falcons want to prove this program now has staying power.
“We want to prove that last year was not a fluke,” Columbus junior strong safety Braylen Edinburgh said. “It’s a different group. We have new kids, new everything. However, we are working with it. We are working hard with the young guys and trying to train them up the right way.
“Even though we have a ranking and high expectations, our goal is simple. We just want to work hard and come out on Friday nights and make plays.”
The hard-hitting Columbus defense knocked Kemper County starting quarterback Eric Clark out in the second quarter. The Wildcats were struggling for answers from there. An inability to find any offensive consistency was plagued by the wet track and 14 holding penalties.
“When the other team’s offense is scared, that’s the best feeling of the world,” Columbus senior linebacker Chris Blair said. “You can then come after them with everything that you have got. Pretty much any plan then can become a fumble or an interception. You can tell when they are scared to try certain things.”
The hardest hit of the night was delivered by Columbus senior linebacker Patrick Weatherspoon, who had a monster sack of Kemper County reserve quarterback Jameez Sims.
Weatherspoon was not alone in the big-play department. Junior cornerback Devon King had another lockdown performance. Derrick, Beckom, Tyrell Hudgins, Isaiah Karriem, Tahj Sykes, Edinburgh, Blair and Gray were in the action on a regular basis.
Montgomery knew his defensive unit had a chance to be special. Perhaps, it could be happening ahead of schedule.
“Coming into the season, we had some high hopes for the defense,” Montgomery said. “We lost some really good players last season. However, we thought our strength would be our athletic ability overall. We have great defensive team speed. Guys are flying around, trying to lay licks. We place 11 physical players on the field. That is what a championship-caliber team does.”
A championship-caliber team also has as star player ready to make plays when the offense needs a lift. Despite only 48 yards rushing on the wet track, Mississippi State commitment Kylin Hill made his presence felt with a 77-yard punt return touchdown and a 10-yard rushing score.
Hill also had two kickoff-return touchdowns in last season’s victory over Kemper County. The punt return was the game’s turning point as it gave Columbus a 14-6 lead in the early stages of the third quarter.
From there, the defense just kept making plays.
“When I see the other team get scared, then it is time to make an interception,” Edinburgh said. “Even though, we didn’t have any interceptions, every player out there made some plays. That is what we are trying to do on defense. We are working hard, trying to make plays, trying to be more physical.
“This team is humble. We plan to work hard and take it one game at a time.”
The only takeaway by either team was a strip and fumble recovery by Gray helping protect the one-score lead late in the third quarter. Two possessions later, Hill scored to put the contest away.
“Our defense is great this year,” Gray said. “We have a lot to build on. The main thing is we have got to do the small things right. When we come together, nobody can beat us.”
Blair feels the same way. Despite some early struggles on offense, it is simply a matter of time until this takes off.
“We set the tone last year,” Blair said. “We changed the atmosphere of the whole program. It’s a winning mind-set now. Players are playing to win and coaches are coaching to win. It’s exciting.”
Gray knows how far the program has come. He is proud to be called a leader.
“Football is just like life,” Gray said. “Everybody has to grow up and mature. If you are the leader, it’s your job to bring everybody with you. If you want to shine, you have to grind. You have to give all you have and then give some more to reach the top. As seniors, it’s our job to make sure the young guys come along, too.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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