Donegal survives Columbia’s early punch to earn their first victory of the season @godonegalsports @BudKyle1

Tagged under: District 3, Gameday Hub, News

Carl Frederick | September 4, 2021

In a Section 3 vs Section 4 battle the Donegal Indians (1-1) overcame a 12-0 deficit to earn a 28-18 victory. “We came out a little flat, but from the second quarter on we responded really well” Head Coach Chad Rinsberg said.

Columbia struck early when Freshman Receiver Dominic Diaz-Ellis recovered a fumble in the endzone giving them the early 6-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff the Crimson Tide pounced on a squib kick to maintain possession and a few plays later standout Quarterback Robert Footman found Sophomore Arthur Poindexter for a 22-yard touchdown pass, putting them up 12-0.

Donegal began to swing the momentum in the second quarter when Senior Cody Stough caught a 45-yard touchdown pass putting the Indians right back in it 12-7. From there the Indians Defensive Coordinator TJ Rudy made a few adjustments to try and contain Footman in the pocket. Donegal continued to march on their next offensive possession when Stough took an inside handoff and made a few defenders miss, making it 14-12.

Columbia began a late first half charge when Footman was picked off by Ian Brown at the 35-yard line. The Donegal offense then moved down the field with 1 minute remaining capping it off with Baughman finding Noah Rohrer from 3 yards out for the score. With that, Donegal took a 21-12 lead heading into halftime.

Footman would lead the Crimson Tide on another drive only for it to stall when Stough broke up a 4th down pass in the endzone. The very next play, now on offense, Stough took a quick out from Baughman and dashed 78 yards for another touchdown. (28-12) The senior, who is coming back from a torn ACL, accounted for three touchdowns (1 rushing, 2 receiving). He also had maybe the best defensive play of the game on a fourth down pass breakup in the endzone. “I think it’s great that we can build off and fix our mistakes and go out there and play our game” Stough said “We dominated in the second half the way we should have”.

The Crimson Tide would not quit as Footman found Diaz-Ellis in the back of the endzone for a score pulling them to within ten at 28-18. After they were able to withstand Stough and the Indians, Footman lead them all the way inside Donegal’s 30 when Ruben Mumper broke up a 4th down heave. From there the Indians and their powerful rushing attack ran out the clock and earned their first win of the season.

“We came out and we executed early on, but too many dropped passes (15 total), tackling – we were there we just didn’t make the plays” Columbia Head Coach Bud Kyle said. “We will bounce back next week!”.

The Crimson Tide will be at home against Hanover next week while Donegal travels to Eastern York.

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