More Payne for the Blue Devils
By Michael Orr

Columbia's Damario Jeffrey returns an interception against Dreher for a touchdown.

Columbia High School took advantage of a dominating second quarter and a Dreher High School team that just could not seem to get out of their own way en route to a 34- 14 victory at Memorial Stadium. Four Capitals scored in a variety of ways to run Columbia's record to 3- 0 this season.
Columbia 34
Dreher 14

Dreher started the game with an eight- minute drive largely on the strength of Jacob Gindman's arm. While the running game was unable to gain ground, Gindman completed key third down passes to Marquel Goodman and Ethan Caulder helping the Blue Devils move the ball down the field. When the drive fizzled, punter Kurt Stoudenmire pinned the Capitals on their own one- yard line. From that point on, Columbia took complete control.

A 23- yard run by Cedric Jeffcoat on their very first play, a 36- yard rumble by Chris Payne and a 29- yard quarterback keep by Justin Payne highlighted the Capitals' march straight down the field. Despite a Justin Payne bootleg touchdown called back due to an illegal shift, Columbia scored to end the quarter on a 9- yard pass from Payne to Shaq Hilton. The extra point was blocked leaving the score a modest 6- 0.

Dreher's Jacob Gindman attempts a pass.

Chris Payne intercepted Gindman on the next possession giving the Caps great field position on the Blue Devil 37. Several Jeffcoat runs later, the Capitals scored again, though their two- point pass attempt sailed high, leaving a 12- 0 difference. Dreher continued to try to run the ball with Chris Hickman but with no success. The Capitals defensive line, led by sophomore Mychal Brown and senior Cliff Stevenson, dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the game.

Justin Payne ran a quarterback sweep for 40 yards putting the Caps in prime position to score again with 5:50 remaining in the half. Facing third- and- 13 from the Dreher 18, Payne lobbed a perfectly arching fade to the right corner of the endzone falling into the outstretched hands of Curtis Dunbar with just under four minutes left in the first half. The extra point made the score 19- 0.

Columbia's Cedric Jeffcoat rushed 15 times for 90 yards and a touchdown. Photos by Morgen Young

One minute later, Columbia defensive back Damario Jeffrey read Gindman's eyes on a short out pattern, intercepting the pass and returning it untouched, 41 yards for yet another Columbia touchdown.

While Dreher managed a few yards at the end of the half, particularly on a fake punt, the Blue Devils were unable to muster much of an attack in the first half as the Caps 26- 0 lead was as conclusive as the score indicated.

Dreher opened the second half with a strong defensive effort, but the offense continued to struggle. Columbia recorded a safety as Dreher had a long- snap sail over the head of their punter giving the Capitals a 28- 0 lead.

The Blue Devils finally put together a notable drive mid- way through the third quarter behind runs by Gindman and Hickman, reaching the endzone on a crafty 16- yard reverse by Goodman.

Columbia answered immediately with a drive highlighted by a 27 yard run by Justin Payne. Jeffcoat had an 18- yard touchdown called back due to holding, but Jeffrey, in as a temporary substitute at quarterback, ran an eight yard quarterback sweep in for his second touchdown of the night. The point after failed, however, and the Caps lead 34- 7.

The fourth quarter was largely a formality as both teams began running the clock out. Mid- way through the quarter, with mostly backups in the game, Dreher's Sterling Epps took a handoff 58 yards for the Blue Devils most exciting play of the game. Backup quarterback Matt Martin called his own number, plunging ahead for a five yard touchdown bring the score to its final tally of 34- 14.

Undefeated Columbia will host Eau- Claire Friday at Bolden Stadium while Dreher will look for their first win at Brookland- Cayce September 7.