The Columbus North offense lines up against Bloomington South on Homecoming at Columbus North, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.
The Republic file photo
While the task doesn’t get any easier for Columbus North, the Bull Dogs still have a chance to win a share of the Conference Indiana title if it can win its last two regular-season games.
That starts with Friday’s matchup at Class 5A No. 1 Bloomington North. The Cougars are 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the conference. If Columbus North (3-4, 2-1) can beat Bloomington North and Terre Haute South, it would finish in a three-way tie with the Bloomington North and Bloomington South, assuming the Cougars beat Southport next week.
The Bull Dogs fell 49-14 to 5A No. 3 Bloomington South last week.
“We’re in the thick of our conference schedule right now,” Columbus North coach Logan Haston said. “Obviously, Bloomington South is a phenomenal program with a lot of veteran leadership. That’s a place we feel we can be next year. So we have to hopefully learn from that, that they just modeled, and then (this) week, hopefully, we come a little bit more prepared. We have to be better (this) week.”
Bloomington North is coming off a 42-0 win against Columbus East. Cougars coach Scott Bless, a former Columbus North assistant, was named this week’s Indianapolis Colts Coach of the Week.
Bloomington North junior Dash King has completed 98 of 149 passes for 1,358 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior Kijuan Hayes has carried 57 times for 345 yards and three scores. Senior tight end and Marshall recruit Aidan Steinfeldt has 33 catches for 416 yards and six touchdowns.
For the Bull Dogs, sophomore Asher Ratliff has completed 71 of 143 passes for 605 yards and eight touchdowns and has carried 71 times to 339 yards and four scores. Junior Gino Prescott has carried 65 times for 475 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Braylon Thoman has 31 catches for 329 yards and three scores.
