Columbus North’s Braylon Thoman, left, is pushed out of the end zone by Southport’s Braylon Koenig after catching a touchdown pass during a football game at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
The Republic file photo
Columbus North’s shot at sharing the Conference Indiana football title ended last week when a valiant Bull Dogs comeback came up just short at Class 5A No. 1 Bloomington North.
Columbus North rallied from a 38-15 deficit going into the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 38-35, but the Cougars were able to hang on for the win and can win the title outright with a win Friday at Southport.
“We started flat,” Columbus North coach Logan Haston said. “They kind of came out and punched us in the mouth right away. I thought the biggest difference from Bloomington South (a 49-14 loss a week earlier) to this game was the fight that we were able to show. We had a lot of leaders step up. I’m proud of the kids, proud of their effort in all three phases. Even though we didn’t get the win, just seeing the potential in our eyes is very promising for the future.”
While 5A No. 3 Bloomington South likely will finish second in the conference, the Bull Dogs (3-5, 2-2) will battle Terre Haute South (4-4, 2-2) for third place on Friday on senior night. Columbus North will be looking to avenge a 43-6 loss to the Braves last season.
“We certainly don’t want to look ahead to the tournament,” Haston said. “Right now, our priority is finishing this week 1-0. We have a little bit of a bitter taste in our mouth from last year. We went over there and did not play very well at all. That stuck with our guys in the offseason, and we’re eager to get some redemption.”
Sophomore Asher Ratliff put up more than 400 yards of total offense for the Bull Dogs last week. He now has completed 88 of 174 passes for 881 yards and 10 touchdowns and carried 87 times for 466 yards and six scores.
Junior Gino Prescott has carried 81 times for 561 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Braylon Thoman has 39 catches for 481 yards and four scores.
Terre Haute South has won three in a row, including Friday’s 34-7 win against Southport. Junior Brady Wilson has completed 127 of 203 passes for 1,960 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Junior Zyeiar White has carried 142 times for 1,038 yards and 11 scores for the Braves. Senior AJ Watkins has caught 36 passes for 763 yards and eight touchdowns, and junior Chris Herrin has 45 catches for 616 yards and six scores.
“They are very balanced,” Haston said. “They have a quarterback that has a year of varsity experience under his belt. They have some pretty explosive playmakers at running back that are good in space. Then on defense, they keep everything in front of them. We have to be OK with what they give us if that means nickel and diming it down the field and executing our scheme.”
