Columbia-49
East Marion-20
From the get go Columbia (2-0) took control of its rivalry game against East Marion (1-1) at home and never let up, cruising to a 49-20 victory.
It was the Wildcats’ running game that was the story of the game as Columbia ran for more than 400 yards as a team with freshman Omarie Johnson gaining more than 280 with four touchdowns. Defensively for the Wildcats, De’Torres Lewis and Jamison Kelly each had an interception, and Kevon Cloyd had multiple sacks.
For East Marion, Devin Daniels connected with Flenard McLin for a pair of touchdowns, highlighted by a 48-yard strike on a skinny post in the second quarter. The Eagles’ downfall, though, was in the trenches, surrendering six sacks and allowing Columbia’ rushers to reach the second level untouched consistently.
Columbia will host North Forrest next Friday for its homecoming, and East Marion will host West Marion in a very important contest for the Eagles.
Three Marion County teams picked up big wins Friday night with Columbia and West Marion each improving to 2-0, and Columbia Academy and East Marion finishing Week 2 with a 1-1 record.
West Marion-45
Purvis-14
The West Marion Trojans (2-0) scored early and often in a home blowout victory over the Purvis Tornadoes.
West Marion got the scoring going early on the first of Jeremiah Holmes’ three touchdown passes. He hit Octavious Harvey for a 5-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 75-yard score to DonTavious McGowan and a 34-yard passing touchdown to O’Marion Husband. Jartavious Martin and Harvey each had rushing touchdowns.
West Marion will be on the road at East Marion next Friday night in a rivalry showdown.
Columbia Academy-34
Presbyterian Christian-14
The Columbia Academy Cougars (1-1) rolled to a 34-14 win over Presbyterian Christian in Hattiesburg.
Quarterback Ras Pace threw for three touchdowns — two to Holden Smith — and ran for a fourth, and Riles Stuart ran in for his first score of the season.
The Cougars will remain on the road next week to play Purvis.
Pictured Above: Columbia running back Omarie Johnson tries to keep his feet after being hit low by East Marion's Latrel Waller Friday night at Walter Payton Field at Gardner Stadium. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
