Columbus South, Independence to meet in key City League-South Division contest
As his team celebrated a 32-0 victory over Walnut Ridge on Sept. 23, Columbus South coach George Yates II noted how “enthusiastic and exuberant” everyone seemed to be.
The Bulldogs’ success is worth celebrating.
Heading into its game Sept. 29 at home against Independence, South is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the City League-South Division.
Super 7: Dublin Jerome remains No. 1
We pick 'em: Week 7 game predictions for central Ohio high school football
“It’s the differentiation between team and program,” Yates said. “We’ve ramped up our conditioning so that we’re not tired at the end of games, and their response has been really good. They’re not complaining and they’re encouraging each other. We had all the energy in the stadium (Sept. 23) and that’s kind of been the theme.”
Having that attitude consistently is something Yates has been trying to build since he took over in 2018, one that’s similar to what the 76ers had in their corner throughout their first four games this season.
Independence, which had a 14-game winning streak over South snapped last season when it lost 54-22, ended a 15-game losing skid against Eastmoor Academy when it beat the Warriors 28-23 on Sept. 15.
The same energy wasn’t present, according to coach Maurice Douglas, during a 28-6 loss Sept. 24 at home against Marion-Franklin as Independence dropped to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the City-South.
5 things we learned in Week 6: OCC-Ohio Division is one to watch
The 76ers also will have one fewer day of preparation than the Bulldogs for this week's game.
“It’s a rough schedule, but this isn’t a (sport) where you do a lot of crying,” Douglas said. “Through five weeks, other than (against Marion-Franklin), our kids have played really hard. I didn’t think we played hard (against Marion-Franklin) for whatever reason. That’s got to be fixed, or else we’ll get more of the same (against South).”
South, which opened the 2019 season by winning its first six games but then lost its last four, has a sophomore quarterback in Damon Griffin who has 12 touchdown passes and two interceptions and also is a capable runner.
Seniors Katoryan Johnson and Sevon Taylor give South a pair of solid options at running back. Senior Desean Pollard Jr. and junior DaShawn Simmons are wide receivers who have played key roles.
“When you walk into our locker room, there are 16 lockers that are designated the leader section,” Yates said. “We don’t want to just have four captains that are the vocal element of the program. It’s a whole group of guys.
“Coach Douglas is one of the best in our league and really one of the best anywhere. You’re never going to get a slouch Independence because he coaches his team up every year and they’re going to play hard. We scored quite a bit on them last year, so we’re going to get the best version of the 76ers coming up Thursday night.”
Independence features senior quarterback Antonio Harris, who has rushed for 471 yards and six touchdowns and has thrown for four scores. Senior running back Davaughn Bufford has rushed for 687 yards and six touchdowns, and senior right guard Abdul Bah leads the offensive line.
Senior Niels Abessolo (DB) has two interceptions to lead the defense.
“(Harris) is a tremendous leader and quite frankly he really led well (against Eastmoor), and those are challenges young kids have to get through,” Douglas said. “We know (South is) really good. They’re 5-0. Our kids are smaller and their reputation is that they play with tremendous effort, and if they don’t do that, they won’t have a chance to be successful.”
@UlreyThisWeek
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Columbus South, Independence to meet in key City League contest
