Cougars topple Big Timber in last home game
In a conference match-up decided in the fourth quarter, the Columbus Cougars defeated the visiting Big Timber Sheepherders 27-20 on Oct. 16.
“I’m proud of how our guys stepped up,” Columbus head coach Blake Hoge said. “This was a high-pressure game, and our guys came out ready to play.”
The score was 13-13 after three quarters when senior Columbus quarterback Tanner Osborne connected with junior tight end Jace Aumueller on a 10-yard pass for a score. Junior running back Jack Gray followed that up with a 20-yard run into the end zone with 1:30 left to play.
Sheepherder quarterback Ryan Morgan then completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brent Finn, but it left Big Timber one touchdown behind at the whistle.
“Offensively, we were evenly matched both on the ground and in the air until Jace caught a huge pass down the middle for 51 yards,” Hoge said. “This proved to be the difference in the game.”
Osborne also ran in a 2-yard touchdown for the Cougars in the first quarter and completed a 5-yard pass to senior wide receiver Kiefer McKay for a touchdown in the second quarter. But other Cougars played key roles in the win, Hoge noted..
“Jackson Booth had one of his best games blocking for us up front,” Hoge said. “He led the way most of the night, either directly from his right tackle spot or pulling over to the left side.”
Senior running back Karl Berg led the Cougars on the ground with 114 yards on 23 carries. Aumueller led in the air with three catches for 68 yards.
“Chuck Miller had a huge defensive game, registering an early interception and a momentum-shifting sack later in the game,” Hoge said. “Chaz Krone led in tackling overall, with three solo tackles and a dozen assisted tackles.”
Miller, Aumueller, Michael Jacobson and McKay each had two solo tackles and a handful of assisted tackles.
“We had a tough time containing Ryan Morgan,” Hoge said. “He accounted for 196 of Big Timber’s 261 offensive yards.”
Columbus posted 312 offensive yards to Big Timber’s 261 in the game. While evenly matched in passing yardage at 113-115, the Cougars out ran the Sheepherders 199 yards to 146. Big Timber also had two turnovers – a lost sive yards to Big Timber’s 261 in the game. While evenly matched in passing yardage at 113-115, the Cougars out ran the Sheepherders 199 yards to 146. Big Timber also had two turnovers – a lost fumble and an interception.
“Big Timber is a good squad, and it was hard-fought all night,” Hoge said. “We needed a couple new faces to step up and make plays, and we got that. Next week’s game against Roundup is another big one, and I’m excited to see what we can put together for the final regular season game.”
The Cougars are now 3-1 in conference and 5-2 overall. Next up is a conference game against the Roundup-Melstone Panthers in Roundup on Friday, Oct. 23.
From gazprepsports
Columbus 27, Big Timber 20
Big Timber 0 7 6 7 – 20
Columbus 7 6 0 14 - 27
Columbus: Tanner Osborne 2 yard run (Osborne kick)
Big Timber: Ryan Morgan 22 yard run (Brent Finn kick)
Columbus: Kiefer McKay 5 yard pass from Osborne (kick failed)
Big Timber: Morgan 20 yard run (kick failed)
Columbus: Jace Aumueller 10 yard pass from Osborne (pass failed)
Columbus: Jack Gray 20 yard run (Karl Berg run)
Big Timber: Finn 7 yard pass from Morgan (Finn kick)