By By Steve Swogetinsky/EMG sports writer
August 24, 2002
COLUMBIA The Heidelberg Academy Rebels proved ball control isn't everything as they opened the 2002 season with a 7-0 victory over the
Columbia Academy Cougars here Friday night.
The Rebels only ran 14 plays in the second half to Columbia's 41, but it was
Heidelberg Academy that scored early in the game and dug in behind a bend-but-not-break defense and an outstanding kicking game by punter Matt Andrews and kicker Ryan Aultman.
Columbia had 255 yards in total offense to Heidelberg's 152. The Cougars
rushed for 239 yards on 41 carries, while passing for 16 yards on three completions.
The Rebels had 93 yards rushing on 23 carries and 59 yards passing on three completions.
Junior Brent Welch put the Rebels on the scoreboard late in the first
quarter when he burst up the middle on a 3-yard gain. The run capped an 11-play, 36-yard drive for HA. Ryan Aultman kicked the extra point and the Rebs led 7-0 with 3:27 left in the first quarter.
Columbia took the ball and drove down the field all the way to the Rebels' 3-yard line. A penalty backed the Cougars up five yards. Then on fourth down, a Columbia receiver was open in the end zone for a sure touchdown. But defensive back Brooks Lewis blocked it and HA took over.
Heidelberg Academy then started a drive of its own, led by a 37-yard pass play from Lewis to Jeremy Eason. The Rebels drove down to the Cougar 20-yard
line before a fumble ended the drive and the Cougars took over.
Columbia held the ball for the rest of the half.
Neither team could dent the scoreboard in the second half.
The Cougars had Heidelberg pinned down at their own 24-yard line early in
the third quarter. Then Andrews boomed a 51-yard punt that pushed Columbia back to its own 25. That was one of two big punts in the second half that kept the Rebels out of trouble as they held on for the victory.
Heidelberg Academy hosts Lamar School of Meridian next week. Columbia hosts Prentiss Christian next week.