A Columbus North boys soccer team that began to hit its stride last week faces a stiff challenge in the next three days.
The Bull Dogs will play four games in a span of 48 hours beginning this evening at Conference Indiana East Division foe Southport. Then this weekend, they’ll play three games in the Great Midwest Classic at North Central.
North will open its Great Midwest schedule at 7 p.m. Friday against perennial Class A power Fort Wayne Canterbury. The Bull Dogs will then face 2A No. 6 Avon at 9 a.m. Saturday and Lawrence Central at 5 p.m. Saturday.
North coach Andy Glover said the schedule is difficult with intent.
“Four games in three days is very difficult to manage,” Glover said. “The approach is going to have to be very unique and systematic, which is a challenge, but we like challenges, and hopefully, it will force us to come better not only in terms of our performance on the pitch but in terms of managing the variables that we can control, which is our substitute patterns and our kids and our health.”
The Bull Dogs, after dropping their first two games, went 3-0 last week. They beat Columbus East, Franklin Central and Westfield to improve to 3-2.
East QB to miss game
Columbus East junior quarterback Josh Major will miss his second consecutive game Friday while recovering from a concussion.
Major was injured in the Olympians’ Aug. 26 loss at Columbus North. He did not practice or play last week and did not practice on Tuesday.
East, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A, hosts Jennings County on Friday.
Special night planned at North
Friday’s Franklin Central at Columbus North football game will be a Coaches vs. Cancer event as part of North basketball player Ashlyn Huffman’s senior project.
Huffman will be selling custom-designed T-shirts for $10, with all proceeds going to charity. She also will be selling cookies at two for $1 and will conduct a 50-50 raffle, with half the money going to the winner and the other half to charity.
The event is designed to raise funds for cancer charities and provide information about cancer screenings and treatments.
Friday also will be Youth/Middle School Football Night at North. Players in youth and middle school programs who are wearing their jersey will be admitted free and will be recognized on the field at halftime.
TD passes have benefit
Every touchdown pass that Triston Perry throws for Columbus North this season will benefit those with special needs.
Perry’s senior project benefits SIDEKICKS, a running/walking club for special needs teens and young adults and those who want to run or walk with them. Perry, in cooperation with Lincoln Central Neighborhood Center, is seeking monetary donations for every touchdown pass he throws in a game this season.
Those interested may donate per touchdown pass or sponsor an individual touchdown. So far this season, Perry has nine scoring passes in three games.
For more information, or to donate, contact Perry at [email protected] or [email protected] or call Lincoln Central Neighborhood Center at 812-379-1630.
Dinner to aid accident victims
Columbus Christian is hosting a dinner fundraiser for current student Levi Sallee and recent graduate Adriane Polley, who were seriously injured in a car accident last week.
Meals will be catered by GMA Cafe & Catering, and 40 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Sallee and Polley families. Those interested can choose from lasagna, chicken penne alfredo or shepherd’s pie, all of which are $10 and come with a brownie; or chili, which is $4.
Orders can be turned into the Columbus Christian School office or by e-mailing [email protected] with payment by Tuesday. Meals can be picked up from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Columbus Christian.
North adds contests
Columbus North’s volleyball game scheduled for tonight against Center Grove has been cancelled.
In its place, the Bull Dogs have added a home volleyball game against Bedford North Lawrence on Sept. 19. The JV will begin at 6 p.m., with the varsity to follow.
Columbus North has added a tennis match against Delta. The match will be at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at Greenfield-Central.
