TERRE HAUTE — A-40 minute weather delay slowed down Columbus North’s fast first-quarter offense in Friday’s Conference Indiana game at Terre Haute North, but the Bull Dogs picked it back up in the second half.
The Bull Dogs rolled to a 38-14 victory.
Colubmus North (5-1, 3-1) drove 75 yards down the field in less than 3 1/2 minutes for an early score. A lighting strike forced the teams to leave the field with 3:48 left in the first quarter.
The Patriots (4-2, 2-2) scored on a quarterback keeper four plays after the teams stepped back on the field.
Columbus North quarterback Trenton Kelley started the game completing eight of his 11 throws with two touchdowns. He missed six of his first nine throws after the delay before getting back on track with nine consecutive completions.
The Bull Dogs led 17-7 at the half.
Terre Haute North opened the second quarter with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-14 before Columbus North scored on a 18-yard pass from Kelley to Tristan Bailey. The Bull Dogs kept the momentum for the remainder of the game.
Columbus North scored 21 second half points, and Kelley ended the game with 192 passing yards and three touchdowns. Running back Cortez Bandy had a solid second half, including a 41-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and a 1-yard scoring run late in the game.
Bandy ended with 175 yards and two touchdowns. The Bull Dogs had 391 yards of total offense.
The win gave coach Tim Bless his 118th win at Columbus North. That ties Max Andress for the school’s all-time wins lead.
