The Vikes celebrate their win with Mr. Street (David Cooperman’20)
On Saturday, September 8, the Columbus Academy football team earned its first win of the season over Newark Catholic, 21-13, behind a tenacious defensive effort.
The Vikes started out the game hot, with sophomore Carter James breaking free for a long touchdown run on the second play of the game to give CA an early lead.
The defense then flexed their might, forcing a punt. This began the defensive standoff, as the Green Wave picked off junior quarterback Brady Hess on the ensuing possession.
Newark Catholic then drove down the field, but Academy forced a fumble on the goal-line to maintain its 7-0 lead.
The Vikings’ offense was again unable to put anything together, punting the ball away. The Green Wave was able to capitalize on the following drive, piecing together a long touchdown drive. Their kicker missed the extra point, allowing the Vikes to maintain a one point lead.
After this, it was a battle of the defenses, with the teams exchanging punts until a botched field goal attempt ended the half with the Vikes holding onto their slim lead, 7-6.
Hess had a huge start to the second half, recovering a fumble on the Green Wave’s opening drive and then leading Academy down the field, scrambling for a touchdown to make the game 14-6.
Newark Catholic drove down the field after getting the ball back, but CA forced yet another goal-line fumble to keep points off the board. Two plays later, Hess threw an interception to a Green Wave lineman, who had a short return to score. They converted the extra point to make it 14-13.
After this short burst of scoring, the defenses clamped down, with both teams punting the ball back and forth.
With 3 minutes left, senior H-back Carter Warstler broke the stalemate, taking off for a long touchdown run to give the Vikes an 8 point lead.
The Green Wave still had a chance to tie the game, but junior linebacker Vaughn Armour made a fantastic play on fourth down, batting down a pass to clinch the game.
This win pushes the Vikes to 1-1 on the season, and they will look to make it 2-1 on Friday, September 13, at London.
