5A Columbia edges 1A Falkville
Lauren Estes
Special to the Enquirer
Falkville fell to Class 5A Columbia 12-8 for the Blue Devils’ spring game at Priceville High School on Friday.
After a delay due to inclement weather, the Blue Devils began play in the rain on a soggy field.
On Columbia’s second offensive touch, Falkville linebacker Shawn Mears forced a fumble. Zach Garrison recovered the ball, giving the Blue Devils the ball on the Eagles, 35-yard-line.
Ryan Sullivan and Aaron Estes interchanged at the quarterback position, where Sullivan primarily was the passer and Estes stayed wide as a receiver. Sullivan connected to Estes on a 35-yard pass play.
Columbia got the ball back three downs later after Falkville fumbled on its 27-yard line.
With 2:52 to play in the first quarter, Columbia would get the ball on their own 7-yard-line, following a bad Falkville snap, and scored shortly after on a 7-yard run. Austin Wilhite made a tackle to deny the two-point conversion.
After a second fumble-recovery by Columbia, Shawn Mears would deny their offensive carries, back-to-back and the Eagles would find themselves with a fourth and long and unable to covert, ending the first quarter.
With 7:42 to play in the second and final quarter, Columbia managed to connect a pass for a touchdown. Estes broke up the two-point conversion pass, but Columbia led 12-0.
Falkville fought back as Ryan Sullivan found Estes on a 72-yard pass play for a touchdown. Hunter Woodall pulled down the pass from Sullivan for the two-point conversion.
As the clock wound down, an interception with 1:19 to play sealed the win for the Eagles.
Woodall finish with 42 yards. Estes pulled down four receptions for 142 yards. Mears managed six solo tackles while Sullivan finished 9-for-12 passing with one touchdown and one interception.
