Payne relief - Capitals advance to Upper State title game
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL - CLASS 2A PLAYOFFS
By Michael Orr

Columbia's Curtis Dunbar scores one of his two touchdowns.

With star running back Cedric Jeffcoat sidelined with an injury, the Columbia Capitals rallied around the Payne brothers, Justin and Chris, to defeat the Batesburg- Leesville Panthers and advance to the Upper State finals for the second consecutive season. With the Paynes both playing both ways, the Capitals came back in the fourth quarter against a strong Panthers team to win 19-18.

Batesburg- Leesville 18
Columbia 19

On the game's opening possession, B-L running back Josh Harris showed why he was one of the area's top runners this season in an explosive 40- yard touchdown run just a minute- and- a- half into the game. Despite the immediate score, however, the Capitals responded with a quick drive of their own. Using passes to Damario Jeffrey and James Wagner and runs by Chris Payne, the Capitals moved inside the Panthers' ten- yard line. Unlike last week, when Columbia struggled in the red zone, Payne found Curtis Dunbar for a nine- yard touchdown pass late in the quarter giving the Capitals a 7- 6 lead.

Photos by Morgen Young Justin Payne launches the ball downfield for a game winning TD pass to Curtis Dunbar in the fourth quarter.

Batesburg- Leesville used a combination of runs to Harris and quarterback keeps by Jerold Jones with success against the Columbia defense. Early in the second quarter, facing fourth down and eight from the Capitals' 24- yard line, Jones found Harris wide open for a touchdown, giving the Panthers the lead again, 12- 7.

The Panthers scored again late in the half on the back of a strong drive with Harris carrying the load. Jones scored on a one- yard keep to extend the B- L lead to 18- 7. The Capitals replied with several bursts by Chris Payne ultimately resulting in a touchdown with just over a minute left in the half, bringing the score to 18- 13.

Contrary to the back- and- forth scoring in the first half, the third quarter featured long drives by each team eventually resulting in punts. Only three possessions were had in the entire quarter, as Columbia's time appeared to be running short.

Early in the game, Justin Payne found Curtis Dunbar deep down the field for a 75- yard gain that was called back for holding. Realizing if he caught the Panthers in the wrong coverage he could again exploit Dunbar's deep ball abilities, Columbia coach Kemper Amick called a deep fade to Dunbar early in the fourth quarter. With a perfect throw by Justin Payne and great speed from Dunbar, the Capitals found the end zone on a 57- yard touchdown and turning the tide of the game. The two- point conversion attempt was foiled but the Capitals regained the lead 19- 18.

Batesburg- Leesville and Columbia then traded field position for the majority of the fourth quarter. Each team found little offensive success and punted often late in the game. The Capitals were unable to run out the clock and B- L was given one final opportunity to get within field goal range with three minutes to play.

Jones managed first downs with his feet on three occasions, keeping the Panthers' hopes alive. After converting a crucial third down with 50 seconds left, Jones ran a keep to the right side, hoping to get his team inside the twenty- yard line of Columbia. Jones was met by a ferocious hit by Justin Payne and the ball popped loose, right into the waiting arms of his brother, Chris, sealing the Panthers' fate and giving Columbia another nail- biting victory at Memorial Stadium.

Columbia will travel to Inman on November 23 to face Chapman High School for the Upper State title game and a chance to play for the 2A state title game on December 1.