Columbus East’s Jack Smith (55) and Jared Brooks (89) wrap up a Jennings County runner in the backfield during Friday’s game at Jennings County High School. Tommy Walker/For The Republic
The Republic file photo
Columbus East could be playing with an extra dose of confidence this week after picking up its first win of the season.
The Olympians scored the game’s final 21 points to pull away for a 49-27 win at Jennings County. East hosts New Albany on Friday in a battle of teams who are 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the Hoosier Hills Conference.
“Obviously, the game wasn’t perfect,” East coach Eddie Vogel said. “It was a battle to get it. We still have a lot of things we need to work on and improve on.”
New Albany played the same Jennings County team a week before East and beat the Panthers 41-20. Last week, the Bulldogs lost 52-14 at Bedford North Lawrence.
Five different New Albany players have thrown passes, led by Kenny Watson, who is 15 of 23 for 208 yards. Klay Kaiser has 31 carries for 132 yards and one touchdown, and Donovan Taylor has eight catches for 156 yards and a score.
“They’re athletic, and we’re going to have to play a good ballgame to win,” Vogel said. “They run the ball and do some play-action. New Albany always has good running backs. They’ve played quite a few guys at quarterback, but all those guys are able to run their offense and do the things they do. We’ve always traditionally struggled to get them stopped. We have our work cut out for us. We know that our run defense is a thing that’s kind of plagued us the past couple of weeks; pass defense, as well, so we’re going to have to be better defensively to win the game.”
Sophomore Kyson Villarreal has established himself at the Olympians starting quarterback. He has completed 27 of 53 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns and leads East with 52 carries for 375 yards and four scores.
Senior Tyler Weller has 51 carries for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Keaton Lawson has 14 catches for 172 yards and a score.
The Olympians, which had opened conference play with a loss at Seymour two weeks ago, will try to stay in the HHC title race.
“I told our guys before the game, a lot of stuff happened last year in our conference race, and we really kind of had a chance to control our own destiny last year,” Vogel said. “Seymour gets beat (last week at Floyd Central), so everybody ahead of us, we get the opportunity to play. The guys have a lot to play for.”
