Carrollton triumphs over Colombia in home opener | Sports
In their home opener, the Carrollton Trojans had a dominant 61-6 victory over Columbia.
Carrollton excelled on both sides of the ball. CJ Cypher had six passing touchdowns and Zach Watts had four total touchdowns. On defense, the Trojans had several fourth down stops and some key sacks.
To begin the game Columbia kicked off. It appeared the kick was going out of bounds, but the ball stayed in. Columbia picked up the ball on the 33-yard line, resulting in an accidental onside kick. Columbia struggled to move the ball and would go on to fail a 4th and 6 conversion, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Carrollton took almost no time to get points on the board. After CJ Cypher got the Trojans into Columbia territory on a 20 yard pass to Darrell McFadden, Cypher found Rontre Welch 47 yards downfield in the end zone. The Trojans attempted a two point conversion and Nick Archer took a direct snap and ran in untouched to make the score 8-0 Carrollton.
Columbia returned the kick to the Carrollton 26-yard line, and took advantage of the short field. Two plays later, Columbia scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass. They went for two to tie the game, but could not convert, making the score 8-6 Carrollton.
Carrollton paced themselves on their next drive, utilizing Zach Watts in the run game. Cypher took over once Carrollton made it into Columbia territory, and he capped off the drive by hitting Watts on a 27-yard screen play. Nick Archer attempted another direct snap run for the two point conversion, but this time he was stopped, making the score 14-6 Carrollton.
The next three drives resulted in punts. Columbia’s second punt was very short, putting Carrollton on Columbia’s 34-yard line. An illegal man downfield penalty hurt Carrollton, and that took away all their momentum. Carrollton faced a 4th and 3 on the nine yard line, and they failed to convert on a Nick Archer run.
Columbia struggled to move the ball while being backed up against their own end zone, and Carrollton forced a three and out.
Another short punt gave Carrollton great field advantage, but once again they had to go for it on fourth down. This time they converted on a pass to McFadden.
On the next play Columbia had an interception in the end zone, but they had one too many men on the field, allowing Carrollton to keep possession. On the very next play, Watts ran it in for a ten yard touchdown. Carrollton opted for the extra point this time around, making the score 21-6 Carrollton.
Columbia went for it on 4th and 2 on the Carrollton 47-yard line, and they did not convert. Starting near midfield, Carrollton had three minutes to score before halftime and took advantage by taking a lot of time off the clock and ending their drive with a 12 yard rushing touchdown from
Watts, making the score 28-6 Carrollton. Columbia tried to score before halftime, but failed to even reach midfield.
To begin the second half, Columbia had some good momentum heading into Carrollton territory. However, Carrollton stopped Columbia in their tracks. Columbia attempted a 4th and 5 conversion on the 35-yard line but they could not convert.
Carrollton took over and took almost no time to get back on the scoreboard. Cypher hit Watts on a wheel route for a 38-yard touchdown to make the score 35-6. Columbia punted on their next drive.
Carrollton’s next drive started with two huge runs from Watts to get Carrollton just shy of the red zone. CJ Cypher took care of the rest of the drive by finding CJ Smith in the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown to make the score 42-6.
Columbia did make it back into Carrollton territory after a great return, but the offense struggled. Hoping for another score, Columbia failed a 4th and 12 on the 43 yard line. Carrollton took over and Cypher got his fifth passing touchdown of the game. He found Welch for 38 yards. The extra point was no good to make the score 48-6. Carrollton forced another three and out.
Carrollton’s next drive started with a huge 33-yard run from Zhaiylon Harris and that created a spark. Cypher hit Nick Archer in the end zone for a 12 yard touchdown pass.
The extra point was once again no good, making the score 54-6 Carrollton. Carrollton forced another three and out. Another short punt gave Carrollton the ball at the Columbia 26-yard line.
Carrollton pulled their starters to close out the game, and the bench players shined. The drive was capped off by a Bryce Blue nine-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 61-6.
With their victory, Carrollton advances to 2-0 on the season. Next week the Trojans will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face Catholic High School on Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m. EST.