Columbus offense enjoys a breakthrough during blowout win over South Dade
Columbus had been leaning on its defense heavily through a four-game gauntlet to open the season.
On Saturday night at Harris Field in Homestead, though, Columbus’ offense finally started clicking.
Senior quarterback Jason Barket threw three touchdown passes - including two to senior receiver and University of Miami commit Bryce Fitzgerald - and ran for another score as the Explorers overwhelmed South Dade on their way to a 42-15 victory.
Columbus (3-2), a reigning two-time state champion, hadn’t scored more than 17 points in a game in wins against Miami Southridge and Miami Palmetto and losses to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and Maryland powerhouse Our Lady of Good Counsel.
But against the Bucs (2-3), the Explorers dominated from the start with a strong effort from their defense and special teams, which provided them short fields three times in the first half.
Columbus knew heading into the season it would experience some growing pains on offense.
After four seasons with an FBS-caliber starting quarterback at the helm (Fernando and Alberto Mendoza) leading them to a pair of state titles and a tri-county championship, the Explorers entered the season rotating Barket and senior Vicente Gonzalez at quarterback.
“We needed this,” Columbus coach Dave Dunn said. “We had a good week of practice throwing the ball and the truth is we weren’t good in practice throwing the ball early in the season. I told those guys you need to earn the right to throw the ball by doing it well in practice. And they executed at a pretty high level.”
Barket played most of Saturday’s game, but Gonzalez also led a touchdown drive early in the second half, which prompted a running clock in the third quarter.
Dunn credited both quarterbacks for taking a leap in terms of their progression this past week. “We work them pretty hard and you see the progress,” Dunn said. “I gave them specific numbers we needed to hit in practice and we knew if South Dade gave us certain looks we’d be able to throw the ball.”
An interception by Jalani Reams set up Columbus’ first score which came moments later when Barket found Fitzgerald open for a 15-yard touchdown.
After an errant snap through the end zone by South Dade resulted in a safety, Columbus returned the ensuing free kick to the Bucs 15-yard line, setting up another touchdown pass from Barket to Fitzgerald from eight yards out to give the Explorers a 16-0 edge.
Columbus then blocked a punt setting up the first of Agyeman Addae’s two touchdown runs and capitalized on another errant long snap on a punt by the Bucs. The Explorers held South Dade to only 18 rushing yards and 66 total yards until the running clock began and the Explorers pulled several starters on both sides of the ball.
“Those two guys are security blankets with Bryce in the passing game and Addae in the running game,” Dunn said. “We brought back enough on our offensive line where we felt we’d do well. Our quarterback had a clean pocket almost the whole game and we had only two negative runs so it was a great job by those guys.”
