Scoop27
11-13-2014, 01:06 PM
By Joshua Cook joshua.cook@thefacts.com
WEST COLUMBIA — Entering the postseason off a loss is far from where the Columbia Roughnecks wanted to be, but their confidence remains strong.
The ‘Necks (4-1, 9-1) will have home field advantage Friday when they battle the Houston Wheatley Wildcats (3-2, 4-6) at Griggs Field in West Columbia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Columbia lost for the first time this season when it was bested by El Campo, 48-20, for the District 12-4A Division I championship last week.
However, Columbia coach Randy Lynch believes his team is not feeling any negative effects from the loss to El Campo.
“Not at all,” Lynch said when asked if the recent defeat affected his team’s confidence. “We’ve had a really good week of practice, and we’ve got players who have been in the playoffs before.”
Confidence is not the only thing the ‘Necks have going for them in the bidistrict match-up, as they also feature the district’s top rusher, Dakarius Bell.
Bell, who is only a junior, has routinely gashed defenses en route to racking up 1,636 yards on 231 carries to go with 16 trips to the end zone.
But it’s not just Bell that fuels the Columbia offense. Quarterback Jarius Kesee and Maleek Goins are also forces to be reckoned with, and are finally fully healthy, according to Lynch.
Columbia spent the final few weeks of the season trying to balance playing time among its ball carriers due to some players being nicked up, but that is no longer a concern.
Kesee, who has thrown for 813 yards and 10 scores on a 43-of-86 clip, has also run for 257 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Goins is also a dual-threat player, rushing for 358 yards and four scores out of the backfield while gaining 180 yards with three touchdowns as a receiver.
The tremendous trio is aided by big-play receiver Richard Hooper, who, despite only having six receptions on the season, has picked up 198 receiving yards and reached paydirt twice.
With potent weapons on offense, the ‘Necks have scored an average of 41.5 points per game.
But, the Wildcat defense poses a threat to Columbia’s offense being able to put up those kinds of numbers Friday night.
“Defensively, they are very athletic and have really good speed on that side of the ball,” Lynch said.
Despite their sub-.500 record, the Wildcats have held opponents to fewer than 20 points in their three District 11-4A victories.
While Wheatley might have the tools to slow down Columbia’s attack, its offense leaves a lot to be desired.
The Wildcats have scored more than 30 points in just two games this season — a 49-0 win over Scarborough and a 33-6 victory over Sterling.
Wheatley’s quarterback, Zachary Scott, is very much a dual threat, and is also listed as a cornerback and receiver on the roster.
The speedy passer leads an offense that follows the new-era style of spread-it-out football.
Wheatley’s spread offense will have its work cut out for it against Columbia’s defense that is allowing a meager 15.5 points per game and features one of the district’s top thieves in Kalen Williams, who has six interceptions.
With an advantage on both sides of the ball, on paper at least, the ‘Necks will also receive a boost from their fans after a coin flip decided the game would be at Griggs Field.
“It’s good to be at home,” Lynch said. “The crowd has been great all year, and I hope they can become our 12th man.”
Whichever team wins this bidistrict contest will advance to the area round to take on the winner either the fourth seed of District 10-4A, Silsbee, or the District 9-4A champ, Henderson.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.
WEST COLUMBIA — Entering the postseason off a loss is far from where the Columbia Roughnecks wanted to be, but their confidence remains strong.
The ‘Necks (4-1, 9-1) will have home field advantage Friday when they battle the Houston Wheatley Wildcats (3-2, 4-6) at Griggs Field in West Columbia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Columbia lost for the first time this season when it was bested by El Campo, 48-20, for the District 12-4A Division I championship last week.
However, Columbia coach Randy Lynch believes his team is not feeling any negative effects from the loss to El Campo.
“Not at all,” Lynch said when asked if the recent defeat affected his team’s confidence. “We’ve had a really good week of practice, and we’ve got players who have been in the playoffs before.”
Confidence is not the only thing the ‘Necks have going for them in the bidistrict match-up, as they also feature the district’s top rusher, Dakarius Bell.
Bell, who is only a junior, has routinely gashed defenses en route to racking up 1,636 yards on 231 carries to go with 16 trips to the end zone.
But it’s not just Bell that fuels the Columbia offense. Quarterback Jarius Kesee and Maleek Goins are also forces to be reckoned with, and are finally fully healthy, according to Lynch.
Columbia spent the final few weeks of the season trying to balance playing time among its ball carriers due to some players being nicked up, but that is no longer a concern.
Kesee, who has thrown for 813 yards and 10 scores on a 43-of-86 clip, has also run for 257 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Goins is also a dual-threat player, rushing for 358 yards and four scores out of the backfield while gaining 180 yards with three touchdowns as a receiver.
The tremendous trio is aided by big-play receiver Richard Hooper, who, despite only having six receptions on the season, has picked up 198 receiving yards and reached paydirt twice.
With potent weapons on offense, the ‘Necks have scored an average of 41.5 points per game.
But, the Wildcat defense poses a threat to Columbia’s offense being able to put up those kinds of numbers Friday night.
“Defensively, they are very athletic and have really good speed on that side of the ball,” Lynch said.
Despite their sub-.500 record, the Wildcats have held opponents to fewer than 20 points in their three District 11-4A victories.
While Wheatley might have the tools to slow down Columbia’s attack, its offense leaves a lot to be desired.
The Wildcats have scored more than 30 points in just two games this season — a 49-0 win over Scarborough and a 33-6 victory over Sterling.
Wheatley’s quarterback, Zachary Scott, is very much a dual threat, and is also listed as a cornerback and receiver on the roster.
The speedy passer leads an offense that follows the new-era style of spread-it-out football.
Wheatley’s spread offense will have its work cut out for it against Columbia’s defense that is allowing a meager 15.5 points per game and features one of the district’s top thieves in Kalen Williams, who has six interceptions.
With an advantage on both sides of the ball, on paper at least, the ‘Necks will also receive a boost from their fans after a coin flip decided the game would be at Griggs Field.
“It’s good to be at home,” Lynch said. “The crowd has been great all year, and I hope they can become our 12th man.”
Whichever team wins this bidistrict contest will advance to the area round to take on the winner either the fourth seed of District 10-4A, Silsbee, or the District 9-4A champ, Henderson.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.