Columbus Football Regional Champs, Look to Three Peat

By Eddie Lopez

With two games left for Columbus football to bring a third state championship to Westchester, the group looks to Venice High School as the last obstacle to reach the state title game. 

Beating Spanish River, South Dade and Western High School by a total 71 points through the first three matchups, Columbus claimed the regional title for the third year in a row.

Take a deeper look at each game during the state finals push.

Spanish River 56-8

Jason Barket warming up in the game against South Dade. (Photo Credit: Jason Fernandez)

Offensive Player of the Week:

Jason Barket with a 83% completion rate and 2 Touchdowns Passing

Defensive and Co-Special Teams Players of the Week:

Hector Chavez with 1 Interception return for a touchdown and 2 fumble recoveries for a score as well. 

Shaddai Carter with 2 punt blocks which changed the course of the game. 

Columbus came out of the gate swinging with a touchdown on a QB keeper by Vicente Gonzalez within the first 2 minutes of the game. Shaddai Carter came up huge on special teams, blocking two punts just in the first quarter alone. Hector Chavez brought both blocks home and even had a pick six of his own accounting for 18 of the 56 points himself. 

Receivers Bryce Fitzgerald, JJ Gomez and Javi Mirabal each had a touchdown of their own totaling 170 yards receiving, the highest this season. Jason Barket took control of the game and found his groove connecting with JJ Gomez for his first touchdown which continued into their next drive where he found Barreiro for a 6-yard touchdown.

Totaling 300+ yards for the first time this season as well as great play from the defense added up to success for the first playoff matchup.

South Dade 28-7 

Agyeman Addae runs during the South Dade game. (Photo credit: Jason Fernandez)

Offensive Player of the Week:

Agyeman Addae with 164 yards rushing and a touchdown. 

Defensive Players of the Week:

Hector Chavez with 9 Total tackles and a fumble recovery. 

Dylan Gill with 10 total tackles and a tackle for loss 

Columbus would face off against South Dade for the second time this year and much like the previous week they got off to a quick start with Vicente Gonzalez finding tight end Remy Goins for a 13 yard touchdown. South Dade answered back with a rushing touchdown of their own, but Columbus would soon score again on a pass to Khamari Marceus and never looked back.

Vicente Gonzalez managed to escape the South Dade pressure and delivered one of the best plays from a QB all season on a clutch touchdown pass to JJ Gomez. Linebacker Dylan Gill put his shoulder down and delivered a huge hit on special teams making for a highlight-worthy clip. To end the third quarter and the scoring for Columbus as well, Agyeman Addae cut left to run in a 41-yard touchdown.

Overall, a well-rounded win for the team.

Western 27-25 

Kicker Alexander Fitzgibbons kicking during the South Dade game. (Photo Credit: Jason Fernandez)

Offensive Player of the Week:

Bryce Fitzgerald with 6 catches for 146 yards and a touchdown 

Defensive Player of the Week:

Hector Chavez with 18 tackles 

Special Teams Players of the Week:

Shaddai Carter with the game changing field goal block return 

Alexander Fitzgibbons with the game winning field goal

If there is one thing that Columbus Football has experienced this season, is many games are determined in the final quarter. Facing off against Western, it was exactly that. 

The scoring began late in the 1st quarter with a 70-yard pass from Jason Barket to Bryce Fitzgerald. Western was able to answer back in the 2nd quarter with a 35-yard touchdown of their own and with the help of their defense added another score to their lead which they held until the 4th quarter when Vicente Gonzalez found Khamari Marceus for a highlight reel-worthy touchdown to tie the game. 

Jalani Reams, Shaddai Carter and kicker Alexander Fitzgibbons played hero for Columbus in the last 4 minutes of the game. Reams blocked Western’s Field goal attempt that would put them at a 3 point lead which Carter recovered and took all the way back for a Columbus touchdown. Western seemingly had an answer all afternoon and did just that, scoring on a deep pass the next drive to take the lead.

With the clock winding down, Columbus called on Fitzgibbons to deliver the final blow that sealed the game, taking the regional championship home to Westchester. 

Looking Ahead 

With the offense taking shape totaling 936 yards and the defense totaling 180 tackles and 4 sacks in three games, the team has the assurance needed to head into the state semifinal.

Columbus faces off against Venice this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Venice. Students be sure to make the trip up as Friday is an early dismal day to support the team.