High scoring Affair For Columbia’s Win over Firelands

It was a battle between the Firelands Falcons and Columbia Raiders happening from the beautiful sights of Columbia Park, Ohio.

It was a very entertaining start to this one. After a turnover by downs by Firelands, both teams would respond with back-to-back touchdown drives.

Columbia capitalized quick with great field position. Quarterback Gage Maruna would find Justin Smith for a 3-yard touchdown pass after star running back Jose Rivera set them up with a first and goal from the five.

Firelands would quickly respond right back themselves. A great kickoff return set up the Falcons inside Columbia’s 49. And after a 1st-10 at the 37, Collin Scott would break off a long impressive run to make this a 1-point game following the missed extra point.

Although it took more time, the Raiders would find the endzone once again as Rivera would find the endzone for his first time on the night. Xavier Henden was also a factor on this drive and throughout the night using his legs.

As I said before, this one was a very exciting start. It would then take just 97 seconds for Firelands to put together a 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 23 yard touchdown run from Scott, his second of the night which made the Falcons down 13-14 early in the second.

But unfortunately, the Falcons could not stop the Raiders run and their offense whatsoever. This time, Columbia came out with a masterful 80-yard drive with Maruna taking it in himself.

An exchange of sloppy turnovers would take us into the half with the Falcons  holding a 21-13 lead. But it did not take long for this game to get out of hand in the second half.

Columbia would come out of halftime with yet another 75-yard touchdown drive. Maruna would have his second passing touchdown on the night to Smith. This would be Maruna’s third total touchdown with the rushing touchdown earlier in the game.

The first 3-and out punt of the night would not come until 5:16 left in the third quarter as this was where the game started to get away from Firelands.

If you thought that Maruna was done on the night, you are wrong. He would find the endzone for his second rushing touchdown, and fourth total touchdown, as Columbia would have a 35-19 lead with 8:14 left in the game.

That would pretty much be it as it was a heck of a night from the Columbia Raiders as they made sure to defend their home-field against the Firelands Falcons.