Cougars defeat Trojans in season-opening thriller

An interception return for a touchdown capped the Columbus Cougars’ win over the Whitehall Trojans, 46-34, in a non-conference away game on Friday, Sept. 4.
The Cougars launched their season with a boom.
“Kiefer McKay returned our first kickoff of the year for a touchdown,” Columbus head coach Blake Hoge said.
The Trojans put up a battle, but once the Cougars got past a 7-6 Whitehall lead in the first quarter, Columbus ended every quarter with a lead.
“Whitehall had a very prolific passing game spearheaded by their quarterback, junior Braden Larsen, and their tight end, junior Andrew Simon, that gave us fits all night,” Hoge said.
The Trojans scored five times from the air and placed four of five kicks through the goalposts. Columbus scored three times from the air and once on a run from scrimmage.
“Karl Berg proved to be our workhouse on the ground, toting the ball on 23 carries for 122 yards,” Hoge said. “Tanner Osborne showed some aerial prowess as well, passing for three touchdowns and 140 yards, with one notable 38-yard bomb to Kiefer sneaking out of the backfield on a wheel route.”
A highlight score for the Cougars came late in the game.
“Chaz Krone got to live every defensive player’s dream - an interception off a hit quarterback that he returned for a touchdown,” Hoge said.
Next up for the Cougars (1-0) are the Huntley Project Red Devils in a non-conference game at home on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. The Red Devils are 2-0. In their last game, Huntley Project edged Malta/Whitewater/Saco, 28-27.

Columbus 46, Whitehall 34
Columbus 6 22 34 46
Whitehall 7 20 20 34
Columbus: Kiefer McKay 89 yd kickoff return, Tanner Osborne kick failed
Whitehall: 10 yd pass, kick good
Whitehall: 10 yd pass, kick good
Columbus: Chuck Miller 15 yd pass from Osborne, Karl Berg run for conversion
Whitehall: 25 yd pass, kick failed
Columbus: Berg 3 yd run, Osborne pass to Berg for conversion
Columbus: McKay 26 yd run, conversion failed
Columbus: McKay 38 yd pass from Osborne, conversion failed
Whitehall: 13 yd pass, kick good
Columbus: Jace Aumueller 11 yd pass from Osborne, conversion failed
Columbus: Chaz Krone interception return, conversion failed
Whitehall: 38 yd pass, kick good