For the first time in 13 years and just the second time in program history, the Columbia Academy Cougars finished their season winless after losing their season finale 41-8 at Oak Forest Academy.
The Cougars (0-9) struggled to get off blocks and make open-field tackles against Oak Forest’s power running scheme as well as defend the Yellowjackets’ play-action passing game, issues that head coach Randy Butler said have been there all year.
“Our size really came to the front not being able to get off blocks,” he said. “Any good running team like that, they’re going to run it, run it then take some shots. The play-action game hurts you when you don’t have your eyes on your man, and that’s what happens when DBs and linebackers start looking in the backfield when they’re running effectively.”
Offensively, the Cougars sporadically made plays but never could bunch enough of them together to score consistently.
“We had some plays where we were effective running it and throwing it, but we just didn’t get in a rhythm. I talked with coach (Keith) Stanley early in the week and asked what he thought would be one of the keys, and he said we have to get in a rhythm on offense, putting together consecutive successful plays. We just weren’t able to do that,” Butler said.
The fifth-year coach said while the Cougars didn’t achieve their goals of being district champs or making the playoffs, the players that stayed through the year never gave up and kept battling despite going 0-9.
“It really hurt them that we couldn’t win and couldn’t get in the playoffs. It was the first time in five years we haven’t been in the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t want that to be what they’re known for. The four seniors we had stuck it out when other people left us, and they tried to do things right. That’s what I’ll always be appreciative about of them.”
Oak Forest opened the game in dominant fashion, quickly scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run. CA was in prime position to answer right back as Preston Sauls returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards to the Oak Forest 14 but gained just three yards before turning it over on downs. The Yellowjackets needed just a handful of plays to add to their lead, scoring on the ground again to go up 14-0.
Columbia Academy was able to pick up about 40 yards on the ensuing drive before being stopped and forced to punt. The Cougars tried to fake the punt, Trevor Courtney was picked off and the Yellowjackets returned it 53 yards for another first-quarter touchdown that made it 21-0. Oak Forest increased its lead even further in the second quarter with a 19-yard passing touchdown and a 49-yard rushing score to go into halftime up 34-0.
Following a scoreless third quarter, the Yellowjackets opened the fourth with a 19-yard rushing touchdown that made it 41-0. CA finally got on the board with a minute to play as Kris Ginn ran in a 12-yard touchdown and Preston Sauls ran in the two-point conversion that made the final score 41-8.
The Cougars finished the year with a power-point rating of 15.111, while Hillcrest Christian at 2-7 snagged the final playoff spot with a rating of 15.222.
“We had hopes of winning the last one and getting in the playoffs, but it just didn’t happen. We were outmanned by a better football team,” Butler said.
The Cougars graduate Courtney, Robert Johnson, Trey Stringer and Dylan Elkins. Butler said although Johnson didn’t put up the numbers he wanted to, he expects the 6-foot-1 receiver to get a chance to play college ball once college coaches sit down to evaluate him as an athlete and what he brings to the table with his character.
“He would be an attribute to anybody’s football program.”
