MIRAMAR, Fla. — For the first time in a while the Columbus Explorers are first in the Class 8A preseason rankings, according to MaxPreps and their first test was against Boyd Anderson in the Kickoff Classic, which turned out to be a rusty game for the Explorers as Boyd Anderson came away with a 19-11 victory.
THE BIG PLAYS: The Boyd Anderson offense started out their first drive with an offensive game plan that lead them to victory which was to keep the passing game short with bubble screens and slants. It was not very successful for them at the beginning as they had to punt the ball to Columbus after going three and out. Finally what the Explorer fans had been waiting for all off-season, Marcelo Rodriguez, a transfer from Miami High, made his Columbus debut. Unfortunately, it was not a good one from the start as Marcelo made some late decisions with the chemistry between him and the receivers being absent.
Eventually, the Explorers were forced to punt and as soon as the Cobra returner touched the ball, Columbus safety Cole Quigley tackled him and forced a fumble. Austin Chacon recovered the fumble for the Explorers and gave the Columbus offense great field position. However, Rodriguez and the Explorer offense were unable to do anything and were forced to kick a field goal which was blocked by the Cobras.
The Cobras were able to finally put up the first points off the game in the second quarter with a 1 yard TD run by David Dalpe, going up 7-0.
With Rodriguez back out on the field for the Explorers, he had his first successful drive leading the offense down the field with some help from penalties by Boyd Anderson which lead to a field goal with a little less than five minutes left in the second quarter.
The rest of the half was finished off by the Cobra offense as they slowly made their way to the Explorer red zone. At the end of the drive, the Explorers defense got a key stop at the one-yard line as time expired to close the first half.
In the second half, Boyd Anderson ran away with the game as Shabazz Telfort took over. Telfort was having his way with the Explorer defense using his size and speed to create havoc. Telfort and receiver Avery Thornton connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass to increase the Cobras lead to 13-3 early in the third quarter.
However, Rodriguez and the Explorers offense continue to struggle as star running back C.J. Henderson sat out the second half due to an ankle injury. At that point it appeared that Rodriguez was forcing passes with the Cobra defense going all over the field causing havoc.
With 5:30 left in the third quarter, Novric Jackson put the final nail in the coffin of any attempt of an Explorers comeback with a 11-yard TD run making the score 19-3 in favor of the Cobras.
The Columbus second stringers, however managed to score a touchdown with just seconds remaining in the game making the final score 19-11.
WHEN IT WAS OVER: At halftime it seemed to be anybody’s game, but Telfort made plays to help put up two quick touchdowns in the second half that sealed the win the win for the Cobras
STAR OF THE GAME: Shabazz Telfort lead the way for the Boyd Anderson Cobras putting up 127 passing yards with 85 rushing yards and one touchdown. Telfort did not play in the fourth quarter, but still put up incredible stats and consistently lead the Cobra offense down the field against a powerhouse Columbus defense.
DID YOU KNOW: Columbus has three of their stars committed to Miami (FL). four-star DB Joshua Jobe; one of the best safeties in the country, four-star ATH Christopher Henderson has been committed to Miami since the season, while the most recent commit is four-star corner Trajan Bandy, who just recently flipped his commitment from Oklahoma to the Hurricanes on August 8.
QUOTABLE I: “We rather this happen to us in the preseason classic. The offense was not clicking today and the defense was not playing the way they should play,” – Columbus WR Orlando Hidalgo.
QUOTABLE II: “From here on out its game week boys, you need to refresh your mind and get ready for Jackson.” – Columbus Head Coach Chris Merritt.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Columbus host Miami Jackson next Friday night in a game where Columbus will look to become their old selves. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Curtis Park in Miami. Boyd Anderson will look to continue their winning ways in two weeks against Parkland Douglas on Fri., Sept. 2.
