Big plays in the Columbus North aerial attack set up key touchdowns early on against Conference Indiana rival Franklin Central on Friday night.
Bull Dog quarterback Triston Perry and receiver Tristan Bailey connected on three touchdowns to lift the Class 6A No. 6 Bull Dogs to a 40-0 victory.
“It was a great team effort, and I’m proud of all three phases of the game,” North coach Tim Bless said. “The throwing game was huge early, and that got our rushing attack going in the second half, and obviously, it all got going because of the offensive line.”
The Bull Dogs (4-0, 2-0) have a lot of depth at wide receiver, and they let it show. Eight different receivers caught a pass in the game.
North scored two touchdowns in the beginning of the second half before the Flashes had a play from scrimmage on offense. After Bailey scored his second touchdown of the game, the Bull Dogs forced a fumble on the kickoff, and Andrew Chapman was there for the recovery.
When the aerial attack was hot in the first half, it opened up a lot more room for Mitchell Burton and the running attack. Burton had several big runs that led to Perry touchdowns.
“We kept the defense on its heels and made them run all over the place, and then they start to fatigue in the third and fourth quarters,” Bless said.
Burton did not go away empty handed. He did manage to find the end zone twice. His first touchdown run was from three yards out, and his second rushing touchdown was from seven yards out.
Franklin Central did have some chances to get on the scoreboard. On its third possession of the game, North came up with an interception. The defense stood its ground most of the game, forcing six punts and two turnovers.
The Bull Dogs almost scored another touchdown late in the game when J.D. Harris returned a punt for a touchdown, but the play was called back because of a penalty.
Burton finished with 166 yards rushing. Bailey had five catches for 84 yards and three touchdowns. Perry threw for 196 yards and three scored and also ran for 10 yards on three carries.
