by FINAL SCORE: United scores 21 unanswered points to defeat Columbia 21-14 in Round 2 of the OHSAA Playoffs
Columbia Station, Ohio –
Columbia Station received the opening kickoff and immediately established its ground game. First-down runs by running backs Ambrose Beach, Peyton Liedtke, and Xavier Hendon moved the Raiders deep into United territory and down to the 6-yard line. Hendon then capped the opening drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, giving Columbia an early 7-0 lead. United’s first possession ended in disaster. On just the second play of the drive, the Golden Eagles fumbled, and Columbia recovered the ball deep in United territory, setting the Raiders up with excellent field position inside the 30-yard line.
Columbia wasn’t finished in the 1st quarter. Looking to extend their lead before the end of the first quarter, the Raiders once again leaned on Xavier Hendon and the ground game. After picking up a pair of first downs on the drive, Hendon capped it off with a 13-yard touchdown run, pushing Columbia’s lead to 14-0.
Midway through the second quarter, United finally found some momentum. After forcing a Columbia punt, the Golden Eagles put together their best drive of the first half behind QB Thomas Brown and RB M’Kyan Haynes. United methodically moved down the field with a series of first-down runs from Brown and Haynes, eventually driving all the way to the Raiders’ 1-yard line. Haynes finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting Columbia’s lead to 14-7 with less than a minute remaining before halftime. Columbia was unable to generate much offense on their next possession, and the clock quickly expired. At halftime, the Raiders held a 14-7 lead over the Golden Eagles.
United received the opening kickoff of the second half and quickly put themselves in position to tie the game. A strong return gave the Golden Eagles good field position near midfield. Facing a third-and-seven at midfield, Brown connected with WR Kota Shasteen for a 13-yard gain and a first down. Later in the drive, United faced another third-and-long situation. Brown again delivered, finding Shasteen for a 26-yard reception that moved the Golden Eagles inside the Columbia 10-yard line. Haynes finished off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14-14. Columbia responded with a promising drive of its own. A solid kickoff return gave the Raiders possession at their own 42-yard line, and Beach followed with a 15-yard run into United territory. First-down carries by Wesley Sanders and Xavier Hendon moved Columbia to the Golden Eagles’ 5-yard line. However, the drive stalled after a 9-yard loss pushed the Raiders back to the 13-yard line. Facing fourth-and-goal, QB Logan Menge looked to put Columbia back in front through the air, but his pass fell incomplete. United came up with the defensive stop and took over on downs with the game still tied at 14-14.
United appeared poised to seize control of the game late in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-nine after a false start penalty, Brown scrambled in attempt to pick up the first down but was brought down just short of the marker. The Golden Eagles caught a break moments later when Columbia jumped offsides on a punt attempt, giving United an automatic first down and extending the drive. A personal foul penalty against the Raiders moved the ball to Columbia’s 29-yard line and put United in scoring territory. However, Columbia’s defense stood tall. Facing fourth-and-four, the Golden Eagles elected to keep the offense on the field, but their rushing attempt came up short of the line to gain, turning the ball over on downs. The Raiders were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Facing a third-and-five on their next possession, Columbia’s pass attempt fell incomplete, forcing a punt. United regained possession with 4:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, setting up a important drive with the game still tied at 14-14.
With under five minutes remaining, United put together the game-winning drive. A personal foul penalty against Columbia moved the Golden Eagles into Raiders territory at the Columbia 33-yard line. Later in the drive, facing a third-and-11 from the 23-yard line, Haynes broke free for a 12-yard gain, moving the chains and giving United a first down at the 13. United continued to march toward the goal line and eventually set up a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Brown called his own number and powered into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Eagles their first lead of the night at 21-14 with just 57 seconds remaining. Columbia had one final opportunity to force overtime, but United’s defense slammed the door shut. On second-and-six of the ensuing drive, the Raiders fumbled the football, and the Golden Eagles recovered possession to seal the victory. United erased a 14-point first-half deficit by scoring 21 unanswered points, defeating Columbia 21-14 to advance to the third round of the OHSAA playoffs. Brown and Haynes led the comeback effort as the Golden Eagles dominated the second half on both sides of the ball.
Columbia was led by QB Logan Menge, RB’s Ambrose Beach who had 11 carries for 96 yards, Peyton Liedtke had 5 carries for 21 yards, Xavier Hendon had 16 carries for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, Wesley Sanders had 3 carries for 8 yards, and Logan Rose had 4 carries for 19 yards.
United was led by QB Thomas Brown who went 4/5 passing for 46 yards and 11 rushes for 46 yards and 1 touchdown. RB’s M’Kyan Haynes had 21 carries for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Austin Ceresna had 5 carries for 30 yards. WR Kota Shasteen had 2 receptions for 39 yards.
Player of the Game: United RB M’Kyan Haynes, 21 carries for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns
