Four lost fumbles in the first half doomed Columbia Academy Friday night in a 41-22 loss to Adams County Christian.
The Cougars (2-3) will be looking for sharper play this week as they travel across the county to face West Marion (1-4).
It's the first meeting between the private and public schools, and both have had uneven starts to the season. CA has had strong moments on offense but has allowed an average of 43.4 points per game. The young West Marion team, on the other hand, has struggled on offense, averaging 15.6 points.
They’ll clash at 7 p.m. Friday in Foxworth.
CA Head coach Randy Butler said the matchup is something players have been excited about since they first read about it last spring.
“They all know each other. I’m sure it will be a big crowd,” Butler said. “Coach (Brad) Duncan always does a great job.”
Butler said they’ll have to prepare for a team that is very athletic.
“We’ve got to be great tacklers in space. When they run it we’ve got to be able to tackle,” he said. “We’ve got to get 11 hats to the ball as quick as we can because they’re going to make you miss sometimes.”
Against Adams (4-1), quarterback Ras Pace completed 13-of-19 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Aaron Thomas again proved his favorite target, catching six balls for 134 yards and all three scores.
Riles Stuart led the rushing attack with 67 yards on 14 carries.
Despite moving the ball well at times, CA could not sustain drives because of turnovers.
The Cougars fumbled the ball away on their first three possessions, leading to a 13-0 deficit at the end of the first quarter after Adams scored twice upon starting deep in CA territory.
But CA answered with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Pace to Aaron Thomas early in the second quarter to make it 13-6.
Adams responded by putting up 6 points of its own after a long drive.
CA drove down the field with its 2-minute offense, but an Adams defender scooped up a Pace fumble and ran 67 yards for a defensive touchdown with just 11 seconds left in the half. The Rebels led 27-6 at halftime.
The Cougars couldn't get a comeback brewing as Adams scored on the opening possession and then blocked a punt to set up another score and a 41-6 lead. Pace fumbled again on CA’s next possession.
There was a running clock the rest of the way as CA added two scores, both on passes from Pace to Thomas.
The six turnovers were both costly and uncharacteristic. Butler said they only turned the ball over nine times all of last season.
“On the flipside, when we turn it over we need to go back out there and stop them. That’s what I told the kids after watching tape,” he said. “Our job is to go out there and stop them whether it’s on our 1 or their 1.”
Pictured Above: Ras Pace throws a screen pass to Aaron Thomas. | Photo by Charlie Smith
