Asher Ratliff
TERRE HAUTE — While Columbus North’s offense sputtered at times Friday night, the Bull Dogs defense was never a concern.
Columbus North held Terre Haute North to minus-44 yards rushing and 45 total yards in rolling to a 35-0 victory to remain unbeaten in Conference Indiana.
Sophomore quarterback Asher Ratliff carried 11 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and completed 9 of 20 passes for 115 yards and four scores to four different receivers to overcome a night when the Bull Dogs committed three turnovers and recovered four of their own other fumbles.
The first half was especially dominant for the Bull Dogs (3-3, 2-0). They sacked Patriot quarterback Harrison Wetzel seven times in the first two quarters and limited them to minus-56 yards rushing and minus-1 yard passing.
Terre Haute North (0-6, 0-4) ran 24 offensive plays in the first half, and only five went for positive yardage. Six went for no yards, and the other 13 went for negative yards.
After their first offensive drive stalled, Columbus North needed only two plays after taking over at the Patriot 40. Ratliff took it the final 27 yards for a 6-0 lead.
Columbus North then forced a three-and-out, and Garrett Long blocked a punt in the end zone, with Terre Haute North recovering for a safety. Tyrrice DeGraffenried returned the ensuing kickoff to the Patriot 24, and on the first play, Ratliff found Braylon Thoman in the end zone for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
The Bull Dogs then went three-and-out, but then forced a fumble and recovered near midfield. Four plays later, Ratliff hit Prescott on a delayed screen for 22 yards and a 20-0 advantage.
Columbus North got it back again early in the second quarter and put together its only sustained drive of the half. They marched 51 yards in 13 plays, with Ratliff hitting Elijah Smith on fourth-and-goal from the 3 for his third touchdown pass of the half.
The Bull Dogs were unable to capitalize on good field position on their final two possessions of the half, both of which ended with Ratliff interceptions.
It looked like the Patriots might cut into the lead in the second half when they drove to the Columbus North 1-yard-line. But after the Bull Dogs recovered a fumble at the 3.
Columbus North then marched 97 yards in 12 plays, with Ratliff finding Jordan Briner for a 3-yard score. After Briner ran for the 2-point conversion to make it 35-0, that triggered a running clock the rest of the way.
The Bull Dogs will host Class 5A No. 5 Bloomington South next week.
Columbus North 35, Terre Haute North 0
Colubmus North;20;7;8;0;—;35
TH North;0;0;0;0;—;0
CN—Asher Ratliff 27 run (kick failed), 8:52.
CN—Safety, THN recovered blocked punt in end zone, 6:26.
CN—Braylon Thoman 24 pass from Ratliff (kick failed), 6:13.
CN—Gino Prescott 22 pass from Ratliff (kick failed), 1:07.
CN—Elijah Smith 3 pass from Ratliff (Bryce Luttrell kick), 6:26.
CN—Jordan Briner 3 pass from Ratliff (Briner run), 4:52.
Individual statistics
RUSHING — Columbus North: Ratliff 11-100, Prescott 11-94, Sam Mormino 6-17, Josuan Padilla 1-2, Max Wilson 2-(1). Terre Haute North: Vincent Dates 12-13, Harrison Wetzel 15-(-57).
PASSING — Columbus North: Ratliff 9 for 20, 115 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions. Terre Haute North: Wetzel 6-16-89-0-0.
RECEIVING — Columbus North: Thoman 5-78, Briner 2-22, Prescott 1-22, Smith 1-3. Terre Haute North: Dates 1-69, Asiah Menke 1-14, Jordan Newlin 1-7, Kam Baker 1-1, Samuel Weihert 2-(-2).
