PLAYOFFS: Columbus rolls past American in 8A-Region 4 Quarterfinal

MIAMI — The Columbus Explorers (7-3) faced off against the American Patriots (4-6) in the 8a Regional Quarterfinals. The Explorers were able to take an early lead and never look back as they advance to the Regional Semifinals after beating American 33-16.

THE INFO: The Explorers started off the game with a gutsy call to onside kick and it paid off as they could not recover it but safety Cole Quigley forced the fumble and recovered it at the American 40-yard line.

After the fumble, quarterback Marcelo Rodriguez and the Explorer offense were able to take advantage of their great field position ending with a two-yard touchdown run by Darren Davis to take the early 7-0 lead.

On the next drive, the Explorer defense was able to get a quick three-and-out and force American to punt. The Patriots punt only went about ten yards so once again the Columbus offense got the ball inside American territory.

They were able to quickly turn the great field position into points on the board as Rodriguez found receiver Tyler Harrell wide open in the back of the end zone on a 25-yard pump and go route.

The points just kept rolling on in at the beginning of the second quarter as Darren Davis punched it in from the two-yard line to get his second touchdown of the game and increase the Explorer lead to 21-0.

An interesting play happened on the next Explorer drive as Rodriguez threw a deep ball in the end zone that was intercepted by American. The safety got out of the end zone and then ran back into the end zone, getting tackled by the Explorers for a safety.

As the first half was coming to a close, Columbus kicker David Contreras hit a 37-yard field goal right through the uprights to give the Explorers a 26-0 lead.

With the Explorers backed up at their own one-yard line the Patriots were able to get a safety of their own as they tackled Yael Gomez in the end zone.

On the next Explorer drive, they were forced to punt for the first time in the game but they went for a fake and it worked as DB Josh Jobe took the snap to the house for 43 yards.

In the fourth quarter was when the American offense started clicking as they were able to put a nice drive together capping it off with an eigh-yard passing touchdown between QB Wanya Williams and WR Elijah Gissendanner., to cut the deficit to 23.

The final play of the game was an 11-yard passing touchdown for the Patriots as Williams found WR Josh Ancrum on a slant route.

KEY PLAY OF THE GAME: DB Josh Jobe’s fake punt return to the house really closed the door on any sort of comeback by the Patriots.

STAR OF THE GAME: The Explorers were led by QB Marcelo Rodriguez who was just clicking with all his receivers as he passed for 180 yards and one touchdown to get his first career playoff win.

DID YOU KNOW: There was two safeties in this game, one for each team.

WHAT’S NEXT: Columbus will go on to face district rivals Coral Gables in a Class 8A Regional Semifinal rematch next week while American’s season coming to a close.