Of all the possible concerns for Columbus High School football coach Eric Rice, special teams’ play hasn’t been high on that list for most of the season.
In Friday, though, Columbus’ special teams struggled in a 37-0 loss to South Panola in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A, Region 1 game at Falcon Field.
South Panola (6-5, 4-2 region) clinched a playoff berth thanks in large part to a three-touchdown night by junior running back Janari Dean. However, Dean and his teammates can credit their punt block in the first quarter for helping to ensure the game never was in doubt.
South Panola blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown and then recovered a fumbled snap by the punter on fourth down. That miscue set South Panola up on the Columbus 4-yard line. Dean scored on the next play. The Tigers needed only 21 yards to take a 14-0 lead.
“The deficit just became too great right away,” Rice said. “We were fighting uphill all night. Our special teams play had really been one of the best things for our team. It had gotten better and better. Tonight, we struggled there, and that just really opened the door for South Panola to build the lead.
“Overall, we played well at times and did a lot of things right. It’s just hard to fall down so quickly, especially when you have been struggling to score, struggling to find a win.”
Cody Sanders punted four times for a 28-yard average for the Falcons. In addition to the clean block by Bryen Robinson on the first kick, the Tigers broke through and partially blocked two others.
“That’s been the story of our season,” Rice said. “When we get one area shored up, we have another area that is a concern. Typically, teams can list those areas where we need to get better. Each week, our problem shifts, and that has been the most frustrating part of our season. Again, the defense plays well.
“That has been a common theme throughout the season. There is only so much a defense (can do) when the other team keeps getting short fields. Offensively, we never could get our feet under us, just couldn’t put anything together.”
Columbus (0-10, 0-6) had 83 total yards, six first downs, and three fumbles. The Falcons gave sophomore quarterback Ethan Conner a lot more playing time. Conner threw the team’s only interception.
Down 14-0, Columbus fumbled on its next possession. On a second-down play, the ball simply slipped out of quarterback Jaelan Craddieth’s hands.
South Panola’s Tymdarreus Taylor recovered that fumble. Three plays later, Dean scored on a 3-yard run to make it 20-0 in the first quarter.
“(South Panola) hadn’t done anything and we were down 20-0,” Rice said. “That is what was really frustrating. We have had nights where the other team played well and handled us. Tonight, we played well at times. It was a much better game than the final score would indicate.”
South Panola capitalized on the lead and kept the ball on the ground. The Tigers stretched a 23-0 halftime lead with rushing scores from Dean and fellow junior Nate Harris.
Harris had all eight of his carries in the second half and finished with a team-high 117 yards. Junior defensive end Mario Martin had the Falcons’ lone takeaway with a fumble recovery.
Columbus will play host to Hernando (3-7, 1-5) Friday night for Senior Night in the final game of the season.
“We have one chance left,” Rice said. “The seniors have meant a lot to our program. We need a great week of practice. Then, we need to play our best game. Those guys have represented us with nothing but class. They deserve to go out with a win.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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