by The Columbia Raiders defended their undefeated season with a dominant 35–7 victory over the Brookside Cardinals. The running game led the way for Columbia as they tallied 166 yards on the ground to go along with 3 rushing touchdowns. The Raiders took control of the game from the opening kickoff.
To start the game, Marco Cirigliano took the opening kickoff all the way to Brookside’s 12 yard line. Moments later, Columbia quarterback Ethan Meier found Jacob Sanders for a 10-yard touchdown. Sanders had himself a night accumulating 4 catches for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 3 times for 12 yards. The offense was not the only dominant force for the Raiders on Friday night. Their defense produced multiple big plays throughout the game.
On Brookside’s first offensive possession of the game, the Raider’s defense forced a turnover on downs. Brookside returned the favor forcing a turnover on downs of their own on Columbia’s next drive. However, the Raider’s defense would get the last laugh. For the second consecutive drive, Brookside’s offense could not get anything done. The Raiders forced their second straight turnover on downs. From then on, the floodgates opened.
On the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, Ethan Meier found Jacob Sanders for their second touchdown connection of the game. This time from 42 yards out. Marco Cirigliano began putting his stamp on the game on the next two offensive drives for the Raiders. He scored touchdowns on consecutive drives. The first from 1 yard out, and the second from 20 yards. On the night, Cirigliano had 11 carries for 52 yards and 2 touchdowns. At the half, Columbia held a commanding 28-0 lead over Brookside.
The second half did not feature much offensive production. On the first play from scrimmage, Columbia DB Isaac Ciryak picked off Brookside QB Nick Arra. Ciryak returned the interception down to the Cardinal’s 3 yard line. Just 1 play later, senior center Fred Goebel lined up in the backfield. Goebel took the handoff and plunged 3 yards into the endzone that was followed by the loudest cheer from the Raider faithful on Friday night.
A couple bright spots offensively for the Cardinals were Tyler Kitzberger and Ben Montgomery. Kitzberger ended the game with 4 catches for 66 yards. One of which was a 47-yard screen pass that set up the Cardinals for their lone score of the game in the third quarter. Ben Montgomery finished off that drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. On the night, Montgomery carried the rock 11 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
After Montgomery’s score, the Cardinals trailed 35-7. That touchdown would end up being the final score of the game for either team.
With the dominant 35-7 win, the Raiders continue their perfect season and move to 9-0 on the year. Next week they will look for their second consecutive undefeated regular season when they travel to Sullivan where they will take on the Black River Pirates (6-3).
Players of the Game
Columbia WR Jacob Sanders: 4 receptions, 64 yards, and 2 touchdowns; 3 carries, 12 yards
Brookside ATH Ben Montgomery: 11 carries, 84 yards, and 1 touchdown
