After having trouble running the football in last week’s loss at Guerin Catholic, Columbus North coach Tim Bless retooled his offensive line.
Bless moved left tackle Noah Algee to center and inserted Nick Smith at left tackle and Avery Newman at guard. The line helped pave the way for 207 yards and two touchdowns rushing for Blake Huffman in a 42-10 conference win against Terre Haute North.
“It gave us a bigger lineup, and it allowed us to play a little more physical brand of football tonight,” Bless said.
Class 6A No. 9 Columbus North wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. The Bull Dogs took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in six plays, with Huffman going in from the 1 just over two minutes into the game.
After forcing the Patriots into a three-and-out, Columbus North went 61 yards in seven plays. A 22-yard pass from Trenton Kelley to Preston Terrell on third-and-9, gave the Bull Dogs a 14-0 lead.
Columbus North drove to the Terre Haute North 15 on its third possession, but missed a field goal. But the Bull Dogs got the ball back and on the third play of its next drive, Huffman went 69 yards for a touchdown.
Safety Riley Ables came with an interception for Columbus North, but the Bull Dogs couldn’t capitalize. But Columbus North did get the ball back at its own 44 with 1:32 left in the half. A 17-yard scramble by Kelley on fourth-and-10 set up Kelley’s second 22-yard touchdown pass of the night, this one to Langston Lunsford with 23 seconds remaining to give the Bull Dogs a 28-0 halftime lead.
“I’m pretty pleased with all three phases of the game,” Bless said. “Getting out to a big start was big, especially after a tough loss last week. I’m really proud of our kids because they had a great week of practice, and they came ready to play.”
Terre Haute North (2-4, 1-3) got on the board on its first possession of the second half on a 7-yard keeper by quarterback Tristan Elder. The Bull Dogs (5-1, 2-0) answered with a 13-yard scoring pass from Kelley to D’Andre Scruggs.
Columbus North’s final touchdown came on a 3-yard run by Daveed Jolley.
Kelley finished 20 for 28 for 190 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. Terrell caught nine passes for 67 yards.
“That’s what we talked about a week ago at the end of that loss – next week is bounce-back week,” Bless said. “We have homecoming, and it’s our job to present victory to Columbus North High School. The sweet taste of victory back in our mouth is a good thing.”
