Defense, Late Spark Not Enough as Explorers Football Take First Loss of The Season

By Eddie Lopez

The special team unit lines up for kickoff. (Photo Credit: Eddie Lopez)

Defense was the name of the game for Columbus football this Friday. Facing off against Our Lady of Good Counsel, a nationally ranked team from Maryland, the Explorers fought with everything they had on every play but ultimately came up short. 

After allowing an 80-yard rushing touchdown on the very first play of the game, the Explorer’s defense led by seniors Hector Chavez and Dylan Gill along with junior Ethan Barosela, did not give up another score on defense. Chavez, who along with 13 tackles snagged an interception off of Falcons QB Jackson Rice and Barosela who was seemingly involved in every play of the night, picked up three sacks and racked up nine tackles. Gill was right there with them picking up two tackles for loss and a couple of sacks.

Despite allowing a touchdown return, the special teams unit held it down for the Explorers with a blocked punt by Shaddai Carter, which Jonathon Nua recovered to score the only touchdown of the night for Columbus. Both Carter and Nua were named special teams players of the week.

A late spark after half started by Seniors Antwuan Simmons and Vicente Gonzalez put the Explorers in a promising groove. Simmons had four straight carries averaging four and a half yards a run and Gonzalez had a gritty nine-yard run and a couple of passes, marching the offense down the field.

A touchdown pass called back for holding caused the Explorers to settle for a field goal attempt that was ultimately missed. 

The offense carried their momentum into their next drive headlined by a 25 yard Joseph Triana "Randy Moss-esque" catch putting the offense in a good position. After another first down to Bryce Fitzgerald, the drive was cut short with an interception caught by Good Counsel cornerback Kellen Fraser. 

Fighting tooth and nail in the last drive of the game, the Explorer defense did not let Good Counsel off easy by forcing a fourth down. After a controversial pass interference call, Good Counsel got a new set of downs and ran out the clock. 

Key Takeaways:

The defensive side of the ball was the silver lining of this game with the defensive line combining for 5 unofficial sacks and an interception. Ethan Baroslea showed out for the Columbus crowd in his Westchester debut, Hector Chavez wreaked havoc on the Falcons offense. Chavez and Barosela were named Co-Defensive Players of the Game.

The Columbus offense struggled to move the ball until the second half. Running backs Antwuan Simmons and Joseph Triana displayed their power and versatility on the pass catching side of the game as well. 

Columbus heads to Fort Lauderdale to face off against the Number nine ranked team in the nation in St. Thomas Aquinas.