Despite being without their starting quarterback, Carter Smith, and losing athlete Josh Brown, who was filling in for Smith, in the first quarter Friday night, the Columbia Wildcats were able to secure a decisive 22-0 victory over Hazlehurst in the second round of the playoffs.
While the Wildcats (9-2) moved the ball with relative ease most of the game, the offense only accounted for two touchdowns. A lot of that can be chalked up to the overall clunky fit of having to use a running back (Jonathan Wiltz) at quarterback, and head coach Chip Bilderback said it’s a testament to his team’s mental toughness to still find a way to win.
“When you get down to your third quarterback late in the year like that and have to put a running back in there at quarterback, to find a way to win speaks volumes our players’ resolve and toughness. I’m sure there’s not many (teams) left that are down to their third quarterback,” he said. “It speaks volumes to our offensive line, our running backs, the defense playing well and special teams stepping up.”
He added he’s really proud of how the Wildcats have handled everything they’ve been through over the past month, from the injuries to players being quarantined and having to forfeit the Magee game.
Brown actually got the scoring started for Columbia on a 3-yard touchdown run on a quarterback power, but it was the play he got hurt on. There was a roughing the kicker call on the extra point, allowing the Wildcats to then convert the two-point try to go up 8-0 with four minutes remaining in the game’s opening quarter.
After Omar Johnson was stripped and the Indians returned it to the Columbia 34, the Wildcats defense came up big with Hazlehurst threatening. On fourth-and-10, Kentrell Jackson hauled in an interception and returned it 82 yards for a pick-six that made it 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Following a Hazlehurst punt, Columbia ate six minutes of the clock with a 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Greg Fortenberry 4-yard touchdown that increased the Wildcat lead to 22-0 just before halftime. Hazlehurst managed to get into the red zone just before the end of the half but ran out of time.
Columbia had a pair of drives in the second half reach Hazlehurst territory, but the Wildcats were unable to finish them off. Hazlehurst made it down to the 6-inch yard line in the fourth quarter, but Columbia came away with big goal line stand. Neither team scored in the second half.
With both Smith and Brown out, Columbia turned to Wiltz to operate the offense out of the Wildcat. There were some hiccups with a few botched snaps, but Wiltz kept the offense rolling and helped churn out yardage with his legs.
Smith, who was in concussion protocol, should be back for the West Marion game, while Brown is likely out for the year. Brown took a helmet directly to the knee on a hit that was hard enough to completely flip him (into the end zone), and there is concern of possible ligament damage.
West Marion (9-2) will play host to the Wildcats Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will play either Raleigh (8-3) or Magee (9-0) in the South State title game. Raleigh beat Forest 50-28, and Magee beat Morton 27-10 Friday.
