Columbus rallies to beat Southridge on late touchdown in closing seconds
Khamari Marceus maneuvered around defenders and smothered the ball with his bright white gloves, securing a game-winning touchdown to lead Columbus over Southridge in their season opener Thursday at Southridge Park.
The 14-yard pass came from quarterback Jason Barket with just 23 seconds remaining in the 17-14 triumph.
“Everybody gives their best game against Columbus,” Marceus said. “They came hard to play.”
The Explorers, who are coming off a second consecutive state title run, struggled offensively for the majority of the night. They also totaled more than 100 yards in penalties.
Explorers cornerback Bryce Fitzgerald, a Miami commit, started the scoring with a 92-yard interception for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. The Spartans answered when quarterback James Perrone threw a 42-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver James Gatewood about a minute later.
But neither team scored for the next two quarters, as their offenses struggled to find rhythm against tough defensive line play and self-inflicted woes doomed drives.
Explorers kicker Alexander Fitzgibbons broke the tie with a 19-yard field goal 1:39 into the fourth quarter. Darius Clements then slashed in for a two-yard touchdown run with 3:51 remaining, giving the Spartans their first lead.
The Explorers responded with the poise of champions, marching down the field on their game-winning drive.
“Everybody was doubting us this season, from the spring game, but we came in to work, with fall workouts and we came back,” Fitzgerald said.
“We are back and better, baby.”
Barket completed 13 of 17 passes for 84 yards and a score for the Explorers. Antwuan Simmons totaled 92 yards from scrimmage. Agyeman Addae logged 88 yards from scrimmage for the Explorers.
Perrone completed 10 of 18 passes for 166 yards and a score in the loss.
The Spartans will host Goleman at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30. The Explorers will host Our Lady of Good Counsel in their second game at 7 p.m. Aug. 30.
MORE SCORES
No. 6 Monarch 30, Peachtree Ridge (Ga.) 29
No. 8 Miami Northwestern 45, No. 9 Coconut Creek 0
No. 11 Columbus 17, No. 13. Southridge 14
No. 15 Booker T. 14, No. 16 South Dade 0
Coral Gables 19, Ferguson 0
Edison 20, American 0
Riviera Beach Inlet Grove 46, Hollywood Avant Garde 0
NSU University 51, Coral Springs Charter 7
Pines Charter 41, Northeast 14
Oxbridge 14, Pine Crest 7
Somerset Prep 53, Somerset Key 21
Southwest 41, Coral Park 6
Miami Springs 39, Miami Beach 29
La Salle 40, Miami High 7
Everglades 24, Fort Lauderdale 10
This story was originally published August 22, 2024 at 11:45 PM.