Columbus tries to replicate high-octane offense against Upson-Lee

One week after Columbus showed off how potent its offense can be, the Blue Devils face a test that could show whether that high-caliber play is here to stay.

Columbus faces a stout non-region opponent in Upson-Lee at 5 p.m. Friday as part of a double header in Kinnett Stadium. The Blue Devils are fresh off a 47-32 victory against Jordan but may find the task a little tougher against the Knights.

With time to dissect Saturday’s win, Columbus head coach Phil Marino offered his breakdown on the Blue Devils’ 2017 debut. He said the Blue Devils had way too many penalties, which was a problem that plagued them in 2016. He also noted there were a few route-running gaffes as well as some defensive assignments that needed fixing going forward.

“We felt like we scored the points we were looking for and we thought we could put up,” Marino said. “Defensively, we just felt our secondary played pretty well. We did a pretty good job of containing (Jordan quarterback Emmanuel Mann). Overall, it was like any other first game. There were a lot of things we’ve got to correct.”

For Marino, his hope is those corrections have been made in the past few days. The Knights possess several strong players, and they showed off their ability in Kinnett last Saturday in a 33-6 victory over Shaw. Marino singled out highly touted defensive lineman and linebacker Travon Walker as well as middle linebacker Lazavier Moore as two players Columbus needs to stop in order to have success offensively.

Luckily for Marino, last week the Blue Devils showed the firepower necessary to go toe to toe with Walker and Co.

Blue Devils quarterback Donovan Carter shined in his first start, throwing for 237 yards and rushing for 68. The most promising part of Carter’s game was his refusal to leave the pocket at the first sign of trouble, which showed in his passing figures and his three touchdowns through the air.

When he did take off, Carter did so with plenty of open space ahead. That ability to know when to step up and throw or instead tuck it and run is something Marino said is a defensive coach’s nightmare.

“Back a few years ago, there were quarterbacks here in town that were like that,” Marino said. “You’d have them 3rd-and-12 and thinking you’re in a good situation, then the next thing you know he breaks contain and he’s got a first down. It just breaks your back. I think Donovan is going to be that kind of kid this year.”

Though Carter made his share of big plays, the men lining up behind or beside him on offense were just as effective. The three-headed running back monster of Trey Peterson, Tavian Edwards and Ethan Kinder averaged 5.7 yards per carry against Jordan. Peterson had a particularly strong game, scoring three touchdowns on the ground.

Though the Knights’ defensive line has the size that can give a run game fits, Marino knows getting those three going will be pivotal in his team’s chances.

For Marino, it will be imperative for Columbus to convert its third downs in what could be a competitive matchup. On the other side of the ball, Marino stressed his defensive line’s ability to shut down a rushing attack that sliced the Raiders last week.

The Blue Devils may find it hard to duplicate their big day in the season opener, but the challenge of facing Upson-Lee should give Marino, his assistants and his players a good read on what’s working and what isn’t.

The opening win gave a glimpse of Columbus’ ceiling; Friday’s showdown should show whether or not it is actually capable of competing within its classification.

“They’re another 4A football team, so we’ll be able to measure ourselves against that,” Marino said. “Even though it’s a non-region game, their program went to the playoffs last year, and they could be headed there this year.

“For us to compete, play well and hopefully get a win is going to be huge for us. We’ll have an idea of where we stand.”

This story was originally published August 31, 2017 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Columbus tries to replicate high-octane offense against Upson-Lee."