Columbia tops 60 points for the first time since 2005 in the win over Lancaster Catholic

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News

Carl Frederick | September 18, 2021

LL League Passing Leader Robert Footman and Company do it again as Columbia takes down Lancaster Catholic 60-41

He had nearly 400 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing, Columbia’s Senior Quarterback Robert Footman accounted for 6 total touchdowns to guide the Crimson Tide to victory. “He is just an excellent leader, I’m just proud of the progression he is making as leader of the team” Head Coach Bud Kyle said “We want him to be the best he can be, even though right now he had a great game, I’m going to talk to him tomorrow I am going to find out what he did wrong, but hey I am going to tell him how he could do better.”

Things didn’t start out well for Footman on the second play of the game, he was sacked inside his own 5 and fumbled. Lancaster Catholic’s JJ Keck (who himself had a nice ballgame) then pounced on the ball in the end zone making it 6-0 Crusaders. This would be the only time the Crimson Tide trailed as they would score the next 28 points.

On the next drive Footman had a QB sneak from 2 yards out for a score, followed by a 95-yard strike to Freshman Dominic Diaz-Ellis making it 14-6. Sophomore Artie Poindexter would take a sweep to the outside for an 18-yard score and, returning after missing the last game, Steven Rivas plowed in from 4 yards out making it 28-6 Columbia.

The Crusaders would not quit, in what would be one of the highest scoring games in the state. Junior Quarterback Will Cranford found Jaevon Parker on 4th and goal for the touchdown putting them back in the game at 28-13. Neither team could slow each other down. On the next possession Footman hit Poindexter on a quick slant on 4th down and the Sophomore would do the rest taking it in from 53 yards making it 34-20.

Senior Running Back Tony Cruz was a bull moose for Lancaster Catholic, he followed the Columbia touchdown up with a 14-yard touchdown run. Right before what may have been the longest first half I have ever witnessed, Footman threw his third touchdown of the half this time connecting with J’Von Collazo for a 64-yard touchdown. At halftime it was 42-20 Columbia. While most schools were starting the Fourth quarter, this battle was just getting started.

Tony Cruz (24 carries 168 yards 2 touchdowns) opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown run. Footman came right down the field and found Diaz-Ellis again through the air from the 18-yard line, it would put the Crimson Tide up 48-27 heading into the 4th quarter. Coach Mairano’s squad would not quit all night. They were finally able to get to Footman on the next possession and forced an interception. Next, Cranford hit Eddie Dresch over the middle from the 22 pulling the Crusaders to within 14 with plenty of time remaining. The Crusaders recovered a fumble deep in Crimson Tide territory on the ensuing drive, but they would not get much farther. Columbia’s defense sacked Cranford on three straight plays, forcing a turnover on downs.

Steven Rivas capped off the short drive for Columbia with a 15-yard touchdown run, and right after that Mason Mcclair of the Crusaders took the kickoff back 85 yards for 6. Two scoring plays, while most schools were already home, there was still over 4 minutes to go 54-41 Columbia.

The Crimson Tide recovered the onside kick and Footman finally capped it off with a 38-yard touchdown run in what turned out to be the final nail in the coffin – Columbia 60 Lancaster Catholic 41. Footman accounted for 329 yards passing and 157 yards rushing was more than proud for his squad “This proves how strong we are mentally, for our players to step up and contribute the way they did it’s amazing” Footman said. “We got a tough team next week, but I feel confident we are going to win that game.”

Columbia (3-1) will have another test as they travel to Ephrata (3-1) next week, while Lancaster Catholic (2-2) hosts Annville-Cleona.

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