Better late than never as Columbus tops Jackson 38-25

If this week is any indication, Columbus seniors Alex Ros and Jerron Rollins might become one of the most potent quarterback and receiver tandems in Miami-Dade County.

Two days after Ros and Rollins connected for a pair of touchdowns on Wednesday night, they connected for two more when Columbus resumed its game against Jackson Friday afternoon at Traz Powell Stadium.

The touchdowns and a 53-yard fumble return for a touchdown by senior defensive end Josh Uche propelled the Explorers to a 38-25 victory over the Generals.

Columbus (1-0) trailed 18-16 after the opening half against Jackson Wednesday night at Tropical Park when inclement weather forced the suspension of the game. It was later rescheduled and moved to Traz.

The Explorers scored 22 unanswered points Friday as their defense kept Jackson quarterback Desmond Phillips from finding the end zone.

“We knew this would be a challenge coming back out two days later to play [Jackson] in the heat,” Rollins said. “We had to be ready to work at all times. Alex and I are rolling right now.”

Rollins finished with five catches for 89 yards and four touchdowns. Ros completed 13 of 21 passes for 183 yards and the four touchdown tosses to Rollins with only one interception.

Rollins’ leaping catch despite tight coverage with 11:11 remaining in the fourth quarter resulted in a 27-yard touchdown and gave Columbus the lead for good at 23-18.

Columbus took control when senior defensive end Anthony Quallo broke through and nailed Phillips in the backfield jarring the ball loose allowing Uche to pick it up and race to the end zone.

“Quallo popped the quarterback’s mouthpiece out on that hit,” Uche said. “The ball popped loose. I grabbed it, broke a leg tackle, started running and never looked back.”

Although Jackson (0-1) didn’t score in the second half Friday, Phillips was still a handful for Columbus’ defense. For the game, Phillips finished with 112 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns and threw for two touchdowns. His second came with two minutes left in the game when he found Sharod Johnson for the second time in the game to cut the deficit to 38-25.

Jackson recovered the ensuing onside kickoff, but moments later Phillips was intercepted by Columbus defensive back Marlin Brooks to end any slim chance of a comeback.

“I liked facing Phillips because it kept us on our toes.” Uche said. “This shows what we can do when we come together when our backs are against the wall.”

MORE FOOTBALL

Everglades 27, Coral Springs 0: Javari Alvin threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Everglades cruised past host Coral Springs. Everglades was also able to run all over Coral Springs as Jakyus Johnson ran for 90 yards on 13 carries, while Eric Pierre added 80 yards on 13 carries.

The game was delayed an hour in the first quarter – once because of an injury to Coral Springs sophomore defensive back Nate Stubbs, who was taken to the hospital after suffering a serious elbow injury, and again due to lightning.

J. DARRIN DARST

▪ University School 41, Nova 7: Kenny McIntosh ran for 138 yards, passed for 305 yards and accounted for four touchdowns as the Sharks rolled against their neighborhood rivals. Tyler Scott paced the University defense with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Friday was University School’s first game in its new colors of blue and silver as well as its first with its new nickname. The school changed from the Suns to the Sharks during the offseason.

▪ Westminster Academy 35, West Palm King’s Academy 0: The visiting Lions got their season off to a good start as Westminster Academy led 21-0 at the half and never looked back. Anthony Jones opened the scoring on a 41-yard run with Jason Saenz scoring from the 3 to make it 13-0 at the end of the first. In the second, Jones and Jake Frew hooked up on a 69-yard touchdown.

In the fourth, Kamran Kadivar scored on a 75-yard run. Westminster’s scoring was complete on a 14-yard run from Saenz.

VOLLEYBALL

▪ Northwestern d. Jackson 25-12, 25-14, 25-9: Lauyrn Howard 6 aces, 5 kills; Ashley Gudamuez 7 aces; Raven Mansfield 10 assists; Diamon Dozier 6 digs. NW 1-0.

▪ Sagemont d. University School 25-10, 25-19, 25-16: Valeria Castro 11 kills; Brooklynne Villano 10 kills; Katelyn Barclay 16 digs.

▪ Palmetto d. Varela 25-21, 27-25, 25-10, 22-25, 15-8: Ashley Thompson 18 kills, 8 digs; Julia Decker 13 kills, 10 digs; Addie Arill 38 assists, 24 digs; Lauren Phillips 27 digs.

BOYS’ GOLF

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

This story was originally published August 29, 2015 at 12:28 AM with the headline "Better late than never as Columbus tops Jackson 38-25."