Scoop27
10-31-2013, 05:29 AM
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | 0 comments
WEST COLUMBIA — The youth movement continues for the Columbia Roughnecks, and those youngsters are getting seasoned as the possibility of a playoff game looms.
Columbia’s big win against KIPP Sunnyside (57-14) last week could have secured fourth place for them in District 24-3A, if things work out in the final two weeks of action.
“We’ve made some progress with these young kids who are starting to get some game-time experience under their belt,” Columbia coach Randy Lynch said. “We have six sophomores starting on defense, and they are learning and progressing. We also have three sophomores starting on the defensive side of the ball, and they are a work in progress.”
The Roughnecks (1-2 district, 3-5) will entertain La Marque (2-0, 5-3) at 7:30 p.m. to finish up what has been a challenging regular season this week.
“I’ve always had a few youngsters on both sides of the ball, but not as many as we’ve had this year,” Lynch said. “They certainly have had to grow up a bit quicker than they wanted, but so far they’ve kept improving every day.
“We definitely have gone through some growing pains, and we’ve been like a roller coaster since the third game after winning the first two,” he said. “It’s been like one good half and one bad half, so one thing we must do is start off fast and finish the same way.
His young players have continued to work hard, Lynch said.
“It’s been an on-the-job learning experience for some,” he said.
The Cougars and Roughnecks both entered the 2012 matchup with spotless records. After a scoreless first half. things came undone for Columbia.
“Things just snowballed for us last year,” Lynch said.
The Cougars come into Griggs Field averaging 349.8 yards on offense, while on defense they are holding opponents to 227.1 yards a game.
Junior quarterback Ladarrian Ellis-Jones leads the Cougar attack with 649 passing yards on 52 completions, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Jones also has run for 627 yards on 154 carries for eight touchdowns and a 4.07-per-carry average.
“They also just got back a couple of kids on offense who are real fast,” Lynch said. “On offense they are just moving well and on defense they are just flying to the ball. One good thing is that we have them here at home.”
So far, that Cougar defense has only allowed 10 points in two district ball games.
“We need to keep the ball away from them, because they are explosive on offense,” Lynch said. “We really need to keep them off the field and just keep our possessions as long as we can.”
Columbia brings in the second-best runner in district with Dakarius Bell (213 carries, 1,462 yards, 6.86 per carry average, 22 TDs). The sophomore has had some dazzling performances so far this season.
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him, but one thing about Dakarius is that he continues to work,” Lynch said. “His upside is very good, even though he is just a sophomore.”
Sunnyside has two games remaining, at Stafford (2-0, 7-0) this week before closing at Sweeny (1-2, 5-3) the following week. With a five-team district, someone is going to stay home for the playoffs and the Roughnecks hope it isn’t them.
“We are going to have to run to the ball this week and gang tackle,” Lynch said “Somehow we need to keep them in front of us and hopefully our kids are up to the challenge.”
Columbia and La Marque have met nine times, with the Cougars holding an 8-1 advantage. The Roughnecks’ only win came in 1956 (38-27).
WEST COLUMBIA — The youth movement continues for the Columbia Roughnecks, and those youngsters are getting seasoned as the possibility of a playoff game looms.
Columbia’s big win against KIPP Sunnyside (57-14) last week could have secured fourth place for them in District 24-3A, if things work out in the final two weeks of action.
“We’ve made some progress with these young kids who are starting to get some game-time experience under their belt,” Columbia coach Randy Lynch said. “We have six sophomores starting on defense, and they are learning and progressing. We also have three sophomores starting on the defensive side of the ball, and they are a work in progress.”
The Roughnecks (1-2 district, 3-5) will entertain La Marque (2-0, 5-3) at 7:30 p.m. to finish up what has been a challenging regular season this week.
“I’ve always had a few youngsters on both sides of the ball, but not as many as we’ve had this year,” Lynch said. “They certainly have had to grow up a bit quicker than they wanted, but so far they’ve kept improving every day.
“We definitely have gone through some growing pains, and we’ve been like a roller coaster since the third game after winning the first two,” he said. “It’s been like one good half and one bad half, so one thing we must do is start off fast and finish the same way.
His young players have continued to work hard, Lynch said.
“It’s been an on-the-job learning experience for some,” he said.
The Cougars and Roughnecks both entered the 2012 matchup with spotless records. After a scoreless first half. things came undone for Columbia.
“Things just snowballed for us last year,” Lynch said.
The Cougars come into Griggs Field averaging 349.8 yards on offense, while on defense they are holding opponents to 227.1 yards a game.
Junior quarterback Ladarrian Ellis-Jones leads the Cougar attack with 649 passing yards on 52 completions, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Jones also has run for 627 yards on 154 carries for eight touchdowns and a 4.07-per-carry average.
“They also just got back a couple of kids on offense who are real fast,” Lynch said. “On offense they are just moving well and on defense they are just flying to the ball. One good thing is that we have them here at home.”
So far, that Cougar defense has only allowed 10 points in two district ball games.
“We need to keep the ball away from them, because they are explosive on offense,” Lynch said. “We really need to keep them off the field and just keep our possessions as long as we can.”
Columbia brings in the second-best runner in district with Dakarius Bell (213 carries, 1,462 yards, 6.86 per carry average, 22 TDs). The sophomore has had some dazzling performances so far this season.
“He’s got a bright future ahead of him, but one thing about Dakarius is that he continues to work,” Lynch said. “His upside is very good, even though he is just a sophomore.”
Sunnyside has two games remaining, at Stafford (2-0, 7-0) this week before closing at Sweeny (1-2, 5-3) the following week. With a five-team district, someone is going to stay home for the playoffs and the Roughnecks hope it isn’t them.
“We are going to have to run to the ball this week and gang tackle,” Lynch said “Somehow we need to keep them in front of us and hopefully our kids are up to the challenge.”
Columbia and La Marque have met nine times, with the Cougars holding an 8-1 advantage. The Roughnecks’ only win came in 1956 (38-27).