High School Football is here, and the anticipation was met with fans coming out to watch a preseason matchup between Southwest DeKalb vs Columbia High School at the former Avondale Stadium, renamed Napoleon B. Cobb Stadium at Avondale on August 7th.
The offensive play by each team was slow as expected because both teams were trying to keep their play calling vanilla, keeping their play call sheet close to their vest, trying not to show too much to their upcoming opponents to prepare against when they play one another during this season. Special teams are something both teams must focus on because mistakes change the outcome of a game on any given Friday. Columbia High School had a bad snap that Southwest DeKalb was able to turn into points on a Braylon Carter touchdown pass to Jordan Christie, making the score 6-0.
Columbia High School took their next possession down the field, scoring on a 35 yard touchdown pass from Eagles quarterback Czar Daniels to receiver Tynius Smith, making the score 7-6. Southwest DeKalb’s rushing attack with Tamir Rudolph and Zyeed Conwell showed Panthers fans they have a one-two punch that can wear their opponents down in close games.
Tamir Rudolph was able to score a rushing touchdown for Southwest DeKalb, pushing the Panthers ahead on the scoring board 13-7. Southwest DeKalb had several special teams breakdowns, allowing the Eagles to score on a 90-yard kickoff return by Durante Speer, regaining the lead, making the score 14-13. On the ensuing kickoff, the Eagles recovered the Panthers’ fumble. Columbia took advantage of the turnover, turning it into instant points on a touchdown pass from Czar Daniels to Jamarion Davis, making the score 21-13 at the half.
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Southwest DeKalb received the ball at the start of the third quarter, drove down the field, allowing them to cut into Columbia’s 21-13 lead behind Tamir Rudolph’s 3-yard rushing touchdown, making the score 21-19. The officials began to lose control of the game because the coaches on each team couldn’t calm their emotions, forcing the officials to call the game in the third quarter with 9:29 left on the clock.
Southwest DeKalb plays Carver High School for their season opener, and Columbia High School plays Cartersville High School.