Columbus 3-0 for first time since 1974

Columbus and Manchester had to wait 50 minutes before taking the field at Kinnett Stadium after a lightning delay pushed the opening kickoff back to shortly before 8 p.m.

Then Essang Bassey provided some lightning of his own.

Bassey's 81-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown sparked Columbus as it defeated Manchester 20-13 in the battle of the Blue Devils. With the win, Columbus moves to a perfect 3-0 on the year to date with wins over Jordan and Brookstone as well.

It is Columbus' first 3-0 start since the 1974 season.

Bassey also had two more explosive runs on the night of 50 and 28 yards and finished with 88 yards on the ground. He added a 23-yard kickoff return to his touchdown to finish the night with 192 yards of all-purpose yards. Ty Lucas finished the night leading all Columbus players in rushing yards, however, with 90 yards on the ground.

Columbus had 196 yards rushing on 28 attempts, while Manchester grounded out 198 yards on 49 carries.

Passing was at a premium in the contest. Only four passes were thrown for completions as Columbus's Derrick James finished 3 of 12 for 24 yards, while Garrett Brown of Manchester finished just 1 of 8 in the passing department for 14 yards. Both quarterbacks also had an interception.

Columbus kicker Ryan Anderson finished 2 for 3 in the field-goal department, nailing a 27-yard attempt in the first quarter to put his team ahead 10-0. The first quarter was marked by nineteen offensive plays from scrimmage, all of them runs.

Kelvin Turner scored on a 9-yard run for Manchester in the second quarter as he finished with 99 yards on 21 carries to lead all players in rushing.

Anderson then made good on a long 48-yard attempt midway through the third quarter to give Columbus a six-point cushion at 13-7.

Anthony Bell scored on a 3-yard run for Manchester to tie the score later in the third, but Nuda Stargell's point after kick sailed wide, tying the game until a James touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Thursday at Kinnett StadiumManchester 0 7 6 0--13

Columbus 10 0 3 7--20First Quarter

C - Essang Bassey 81 kickoff return (Ryan Anderson kick), 11:44.

C - Anderson 27 FG, 4:09.

Second Quarter

M - Kelvin Turner 9 run (Nuda Stargell kick), 4:36.

Third Quarter

C - Anderson 48 FG, 6:26.

M - Anthony Bell 3 run (kick failed), 1:27.

Fourth Quarter

C - Derrick James 8 run (Anderson kick), 1:28.

Records: Columbus 3-0; Manchester 1-2. Next: Columbus vs. Marion County, Thursday, 7 p.m. at Kinnett; Manchester vs. Mitchell County, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 11:05 PM with the headline "Columbus 3-0 for first time since 1974 ."