“We didn’t use the lower seed we were (awarded) as bulletin board material, it just meant we needed to go out and play hard”, these are the words spoken by Columbia’s Head Coach Brian Allen following their upset win over the Ponte Vedra Sharks Friday night 14-7. Columbia after losing twice in the regular season and losing their district championship, was given a sixth seed headed into regionals, meaning they would have to motivate themselves to victories not being able to play at home the entire playoffs.
Columbia received the ball first and started off the game on the ground with a big run by senior running back Kylen Callum, putting them close to scoring position, although they were not able to convert. Ponte Vedra had a quick three and out when they gained possession.
After the Ponte Vedra punt, Columbia had short field and capitalized on that, on the fifth play of the possession senior quarterback Jordan Smith was able to throw a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Brandon Johnson.
Columbia defense came up big again not giving Ponte Vedra a chance to drive down the field and get their high powered offense going. Columbia went for it on fourth down but Ponte Vedra was able to hold them, hoping that this would jump start their efforts.
After a quick three and out by Ponte Vedra, Columbia was able to march down the field and get inside the 20 yard line before the end of the first quarter bell rang. Columbia was able to score their second touchdown of the night on a catch by senior wide receiver Landarick Bradley.
Ponte Vedra’s highlight of the first half came around the seven minute mark when senior linebacker Aiden Dunnigan was able to intercept Smith. The Sharks weren’t able to take advantage of this interception and went into the half scoreless.
Ponte Vedra started the 2nd half with the ball, pounding the ball up the middle against the Tiger defense. Not able to get the ball to their opponent’s side of the field but going fairly deep, they were able to punt the ball deep and for the first time of the evening have the Tigers not start off the possession in favorable position. This would force the offense to make plays and they weren’t able to converge.
Ponte Vedra’s senior quarterback threw his lone interception of the night to senior safety Marlon Pollock after he had started to get the offense moving down the field. Though the score only shows a seven point win, Columbia dominated Ponte Vedra the entire night.
Ponte Vedra’s lone score came off a questionable fumble recovery call that put them on in scoring position on their opponent’s 8-yard line in the 4th quarter.
Columbia would keep the ball on the ground for the rest of the game and would finally choose to punt in the final quarter of the game instead of chancing another interception. Columbia would get close to scoring one more time around the six minute mark but was not able to cross the pylon on 4th down.
Columbia (8-3) will travel Friday to face Lee (8-3), after their win over St. Augustine. Lee won their head to head match against Columbia this year 27-21 in October. Ponte Vedra will end their season with a 7-3 record.
