A chance at the title
By Andrew Ferrell
When Columbia City headed into the locker room with a 10-6 halftime lead, the Eagle fans begged for something different compared to the regular season game against East Noble.
During the regular season game, the Eagles held a halftime lead similar to the one they held on Friday night. At the end of the game, all of that begging paid off as the Eagles stomped their way to a 17-13 win.
Scoring came quick for the Eagles as junior Stephen Farrer returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving the Eagles an early 7-0 lead.
Columbia City didn’t add any points to the scoreboard, until late in the second quarter when field goal kicker Jared Shoda launched a 20-yard kick for the 10-6 lead at halftime.
Both teams couldn’t find an offensive rhythm, in the rain, during all of the third quarter. East Noble scored first in the second half on a run up the middle, giving them the 13-10 lead with 11:15 left.
The Eagles faced a 4th and 1 on their ensuing drive and went with a quarterback sneak that was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
After the Columbia City defense held East Noble to a three and out on their next drive, the Eagles took over possession with 7:11 left. After a few unsuccessful passing attempts, the Eagles faced a 4th and 4. The Eagles ran a fake punt play and freshman Jared Murphy completed the pass for the first down.
As time melted away, and needing to score, Columbia City’s Conner Slavich pitched the ball, inside the 10-yard line, to running back Cody Wildman and he ran the ball into the end zone for the final 17-13 score.