Columbia Academy 40, Eagleville 14: 5 keys to the 2A second-round game

COLUMBIA - Eagleville’s postseason run came to an end in the Class 2A state playoffs in a rematch against Region 2-5A opponent Columbia Academy Friday.

The Eagles fell 40-14 after a close 26-21 loss to the Bulldogs in the regular season.

On Friday the Eagles couldn’t get anything going on offense and couldn’t stop Columbia Academy’s rushing offense, falling behind 18-0 at the half.

Here are five keys to the game:

Bulldogs stifle Cobb

Eagleville quarterback Ethan Cobb, a semifinalist for Class 2A Mr. Football, had a strong rushing game against Columbia Academy in their first matchup. He had more than 100 rushing yards to lead the Eagles.

But Cobb couldn’t get anything going Friday. He only managed 13 rushing yards.

Eagleville’s offense as a whole suffered when Columbia Academy took away Cobb’s rushing attack. In the first half the Eagles only managed nine rushing yards, 13 through the air, for a total of 22 yards and two first downs.

Special teams provide spark

Eagleville’s special teams came through with big plays. After the Bulldogs’ first touchdown, Eagleville’s special teams blocked the extra point.

The Bulldogs attempted a 2-point conversion after the second touchdown and Eagleville intercepted the pass attempt. Later in the first half the Eagles’ special teams blocked a field goal attempt. And the Eagles’ Graham Hatcher returned a kickoff for a 79-yard touchdown in the third quarter for the Eagles’ first score.

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CA rushing attack too much

The Bulldogs dominated the game with their running game. Columbia Academy mixed it up between Tre Davidson, Davis Cofer, Kyle Young, Joshua Cook and quarterback Chase Butterfield.

The Eagles simply couldn’t stop them. Columbia Academy had over 300 rushing yards in the win.

“Columbia Academy is Columbia Academy,” said Eagleville coach Floyd Walker. “They are very fundamentally sound. I feel like they were on a mission.”

Penalties prove costly

Eagleville had 80 penalty yards in the game. Some of them came at costly times to keep the Bulldogs’ drives going.

On Columbia Academy’s first scoring drive, Eagleville lined up offsides to give Columbia Academy five extra yards and a free first down. After a Bulldog pass completion to a receiver on the sidelines who stepped out of bounds, Eagleville defenders tackled him after the refs had already blown the play dead, and the Eagles were called for a 15-yard personal foul.

The Eagles also had costly penalties on offense. On their first possession of the second half they wound up facing 2nd-and-27 after two penalties moved them back.

“We shot ourselves in the foot several times,” said Walker.

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Seniors boost Eagles in 2017

After two seasons in which Eagleville failed to make the playoffs, the Eagles returned this year due to the hard work of the seniors, Walker said.

“This senior class has made us relevant again,” he said.