Cougars ground out win in Red Lodge

After a 1-2 non-conference start to the season, the Columbus Cougars are now 1-0 in conference with a 15-8 win over the Rams in Red Lodge on Sept. 23.
“For the second week in a row, our offensive line stepped up and carried us through the second half,” Cougar head coach Blake Hoge said. “It wasn’t always perfect, but we were able to run the ball just well enough.”
The Cougars scored in the first quarter on a 37-yard pass from junior quarterback Eddie Foos to senior Chuck Miller and a point-after kick by sophomore Dylan Wyllie.
But the Rams took the lead in the second quarter with a 25-yard fumble return by junior Vincent Sobiech and a two-point conversion run by senior Zane Buckstead.
The Cougars came back in the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by Miller and a two-point conversion pass by Foos to senior Jace Aumueller. After that, Columbus and Red Lodge held each other scoreless in the final quarter.
“Our defense spent a lot of time on the field but didn’t give up any points,” Hoge said. “A win’s a win, and it’s nice to start conference play on the right foot.”
Columbus posted 224 total yards, including 51 passing yards, compared to 236 total yards and 5 yards passing by Red Lodge. Each team had two turnovers.
Foos was 3-for-8 with one interception. Miller ran 111 yards on 20 carries and had 37 yards on one reception. Senior EJ Daniels ran 40 yards on 14 carries.
“Offensively, Chuck Miller led us on the ground and through the air behind some key blocks thrown by Jace Aumueller and Erik Schmidt,” Hoge said. “Those three also led us in tackles on defense alongside Eddie Foos and Connor Solomon. Eddie made some key tackles downfield keeping their big plays from turning into points. I’m proud of how our guys stepped up and ground out the win on both sides of the ball.”
Schmidt, a senior, notched six tackles and seven assists. Foos had five tackles and five assists, senior Aumueller had five tackles and seven assists, Miller had four tackles and eight assists, and senior Solomon had four tackles and nine assists.
Next up, the Cougars travel to Boulder on Friday, Sept. 30, to play the Jefferson County Panthers.

Columbus 15, Red Lodge 8
Columbus 7 0 8 0 - 15
Red Lodge 0 8 0 0 - 8
C: Eddie Foos 37 yard pass to Chuck Miller (Dylan Wyllie kick good).
RL: Vincent Sobiech 25 yard fumble return (Zane Buckstead run)
C: Miller 4 yard run (Foos to Jace Aumueller).