Down 11 points in the fourth quarter to a 4A public school, Columbia Academy’s belief in itself didn’t waver.
The Cougars stormed back for 22 unanswered points on their home field to claim a 42-39 win over Purvis Friday night.
Junior Drew Havard carried a huge load, running for 217 yards on 33 carries and scoring twice, and quarterback Ras Pace dove over the goal line on a crucial fourth-and-six to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish with 5:30 remaining.
CA dominated Purvis in the turnover battle, notching five takeaways versus zero giveaways.
Head coach Randy Butler praised his players’ effort, saying he told them at halftime they were going to win.
“Someday that will sink in. That's a 4A public school. That shows you how much you can do if you believe,” he said.
CA (2-1) plays this week at Parklane Academy (4-0) in McComb. The Pioneers defeated Centreville Academy 35-16 last week. CA and Parklane last played in 2014, with CA winning that game 33-28.
Pace threw for 55 yards on 8-19 passing Friday and had two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Senior receiver Aaron Thomas caught five balls for 51 yards and two scores.
CA won despite struggling to control Purvis running back Jon Bolton, who has at least one Division 1 scholarship offer from South Alabama. The senior scored four touchdowns.
“We hung on defensively, and offensively we just kept the ball and ran the football, and Drew Havard was a beast tonight,” Butler said. “It’s an unbelievable win for Columbia Academy. This senior group, I think they get tired of hearing about last year, and this is a feather in their cap.”
Here’s a breakdown of scoring in the back-and-forth battle:
1:57 first quarter, 7-0 Purvis lead: Purvis, benefitting from a roughing the punter call against CA, scored on a seven-yard run by Bolton.
10:32 second quarter, 7-6 Purvis lead: CA’s Harrison Hartzog picked off a tipped pass to set up the Cougars on the Purvis side of the field. Thomas then scored on a 21-yard pass from Pace to put CA on the board.
8:48 second quarter, 12-7 CA lead: After catching the touchdown pass, Thomas attempted an onside kick – and recovered it himself. A long run by Havard set up the Cougars, and Pace snuck in from one yard out to give them the lead.
6:12 second quarter, 14-12 Purvis lead: Bolton struck again, this time from 27 yards out.
0:00 second quarter, 17-12 Purvis lead: A long pass two seconds before halftime led to a 36-yard field goal for the Tornadoes.
9:48 third quarter, 24-12 Purvis lead: Purvis scored quickly with its ground game to start the half.
1:06 third quarter, 24-20 Purvis lead: CA turned the ball over on downs after a long drive, but then forced a fumble on the first ensuing defensive play and recovered it on the Purvis 14. Havard ran in from 10 yards out, and Pace hit Riles Stuart for the two-point conversion.
11:23 fourth quarter, 31-20 Purvis: Bolton ran for a 37-yard score.
8:00 fourth quarter, 31-28 Purvis lead: Pace again connected with Thomas, this time from 12 yards out, and Pace punched in the two-point conversion.
5:30 fourth quarter, 34-31 CA lead: An up man for Purvis fumbled a high, short kickoff, and CA jumped on it. The drive faced a climatic finish with a fourth-and-goal on the 6, and Pace scrambled in on an option keeper to give CA the lead.
3:10 fourth quarter, 42-31 CA lead: CA defensive tackle Parker Mattox made a big sack, and then Purvis snapped the ball over its quarterback’s head on the next play, leading to the Tornadoes’ fifth turnover. Havard dashed in from 20 yards away on the first play of the possession, and Pace ran in the two-point conversion.
1:02 fourth quarter, 42-39 CA lead: Bolton scored again, but CA recovered the onside kick. Three tough runs by Havard resulted in a first-down to clinch the win.
Pictured Above: The Cougars celebrate after Ras Pace scores a rushing touchdown. | Photo by Charlie Smith
