Although it might seem like the fall sports season has just begun, one fall sport is heading into the homestretch.
Girls golf sectional play is next weekend. Columbus North and Columbus East will tune up for that Greensburg Sectional by playing in their respective conference tournaments in the next few days, then against each other Tuesday at Harrison Lake.
The Olympians will host the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament on Saturday at Otter Creek. Fifteenth-ranked Floyd Central is the favorite, but East hopes to challenge.
“We’ve been a little inconsistent from top to bottom,” East coach Troy Buntin said. “We had a good indication with some of the conference teams in the Bloomington (South) Invitational last weekend. Floyd Central is obviously the favorite, but one thing we have to our advantage is, we’re playing our home golf course. Maybe the home course will play into our advantage.”
The No. 3 Bull Dogs will play in the Conference Indiana Tournament Monday at Bloomington Country Club. North likely will have its hands full with co-No. 18 Bloomington South on the Panthers’ home course.
“I’m confident if we play our best, we have a decent chance of winning,” North coach Scott Seavers said. “But we also know that Bloomington South has a good No. 1 and a decent No. 2, and they’re playing on their home course, and it’s a tough course. I also know Bloomington North has improved dramatically, and they’re going to be right in there competing, as well.”
The Bull Dogs won the Roncalli Invitational and finished second behind No. 1 Evansville North in Saturday’s Bloomington South Invitational but were upset by co-No. 11 Center Grove on Tuesday.
“I think we’re playing pretty well,” Seavers said. “I like the way we play in 18-hole matches. We seem to compete better in those tournaments. But we also have some room for improvement. I hope we can peak at the right time.”
Coach notches first win
Tony Bell had to wait an extra day to pick up his first head coaching victory.
After South Decatur’s game against Knightstown was suspended by lightning Friday night, the teams had to resume play Saturday. The Cougars finished off a 31-7 Mid-Indiana Football Conference win.
“That definitely was a hurdle I was looking to get over,” Bell said. “Now, the pressure is off. We have quite a few opportunities to continue being successful, so that’s what we hope to continue to do.”
Jordan Ortman completed 3 of 4 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Damon Allen carried 12 times for 90 yards to lead the offense.
“All three phases of the game, we had good control over,” Bell said. “Defensively, we didn’t give up any real meaningful big plays. Offensively, we had a few big passing plays and a very persistent running game. It was an all-around good performance.”
That included special teams. Kordell Meadows went 4 for 4 on extra points and kicked a field goal. Meadows, who also has started at free safety the past two weeks, could take over at quarterback, with Jordan Ortman possibly moving to receiver.
“It could come as early as this week, or it could come when an opportunity presents itself,” Bell said.
Bull Dogs face big test
The Columbus North boys soccer team will face a big challenge this weekend when it plays in the North Central Invitational.
The Bull Dogs, ranked No. 18 in Class 2A, will face Lawrence North at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The big test will come at 5 p.m. Saturday against 2A No. 1 Avon.
“We take a lot of pride in our strength of schedule, and attending the tournament at North Central only broadens the depth and scope of that schedule,” North coach Andy Glover said. “Avon will be a wonderful contest to see where we stand.”
North and Avon met in the 2013 Evansville Semistate semifinals. The Orioles won that game 3-2 on its way to a state runner-up finish. The Bull Dogs won the 2A title the previous year.
North to host invitational
Pairings have been set for Saturday’s boys tennis Columbus North Invitational.
Matches begin at 9 a.m. with the Bull Dogs playing Providence and Martinsville facing Batesville. At around 11 a.m., North will meet Batesville, and Martinsville will play Providence. Then at around 1:30 p.m., the Bull Dogs will face Martinsville, and Batesville will meet Providence.
East to recognize youth
Columbus East will host its Youth/Middle School Football Night on Sept. 18. Youth players will be recognized before the 7 p.m. game against New Albany.
In addition, PAAL players will receive free admission to middle school games Sept. 21 at Central and Sept. 28 at Northside.
