Bloomington High School South football defeated Columbus North High School 55-24 on Friday to clinch the Conference Indiana title.
Meanwhile, Bloomington High School North football cruised to a 42-0 victory over Columbus East High School, pitching its second shutout in three weeks.
Bloomington South at Columbus North
It was Columbus North who drew first blood in the conference title decider, with senior quarterback Asher Ratliff scrambling home for an 8-yard touchdown after a long drive.
Bloomington South’s offense struggled in its first drive, with a turnover on downs after a failed fourth and long conversion inside Columbus North’s half.
After forcing a punt, the first quarter ended with Bloomington South down 7-0. The Panthers quickly responded to start the second quarter, with senior running back Shaun Cooper rushing home for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Bloomington South wouldn’t stay level for long, however, as Columbus North senior running back Sam Perry made multiple defenders miss as he ran home a 36-yard touchdown reception.
Down 14-7 with eight minutes left in the half, a switch flipped for the Panthers. Within two minutes, senior tight end Jalen Williams turned a receiver screen into a 39-yard touchdown.
After quickly forcing a three-and-out, the Panthers quickly scored again, with junior quarterback Duncan Combs finding Williams over the top of the defense for a 65-yard touchdown.
Within the span of less than three game minutes, Bloomington South turned a 7-point deficit into a 7-point lead. The scoring continued the next offensive drive as Williams caught his third touchdown of the quarter to double the Panthers’ lead.
Columbus North kicked a field goal as the half expired, and the score read 28-17 in favor of Bloomington South.
After both teams punted to start the second half, senior running back Braylen Townsend ripped off a 47-yard run inside the 10-yard line. Williams then caught his fourth touchdown of the day, snagging the ball with one hand in the corner of the end zone.
With the score reading 34-17 after a blocked extra point, Columbus North responded with its final points of the game. Senior tight end Parker Elmore caught a 32-yard touchdown, cutting the Panthers’ lead to ten points.
With a 34-24 score and one quarter left to play, the fourth quarter was all Bloomington South. Townsend ran in an 11-yard touchdown to increase the Panthers’ lead back to 17.
Cooper and Townsend punched in further rushing touchdowns as the fourth quarter ticked by and the Columbus North offense crumbled. Bloomington South ran out victorious 55-24.
Bloomington North vs. Columbus East
Bloomington North’s defense forced a three-and-out on the opening drive, a sign of things to come for the Columbus East offense.
After converting a fourth and two, junior running back Brayden Johnson tore off a 24-yard touchdown run. Columbus East drove down the field on its next drive, dropping a touchdown pass before turning the ball over on downs the next play.
With the score 7-0 after one quarter, Bloomington North turned up the heat. After senior running back Noah Ferree scored from two yards out, senior defensive back Kellen Bishop ran back an interception for a 21-0 Cougars lead.
After forcing another punt, the Cougars’ offense started at their own 1-yard line after a false start. Chunk pass plays still drove them down the field with senior quarterback John Bargen jogging home for a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
At halftime, the score was 28-0. Following three-and-outs from both teams, Ferree plunged home a 1-yard touchdown to make the score 35-0.
With a running clock now established, the game flowed by with Bloomington North simply looking to run out the clock. That wouldn’t stop sophomore running back Carter Matthew from running in another touchdown from three yards out. In the end, Bloomington North won 42-0.
Bloomington South clinched the regular season title for Conference Indiana, going undefeated in conference play. Williams shone for the Panthers, hauling in seven receptions for 160 yards and four touchdowns, tying the single-game record for receiving touchdowns for Bloomington South.
Bloomington North turned rock solid on defense, only allowing three points in its last three games — a feat the Cougars have never achieved before. They have outscored their last three opponents 134-3.
Bloomington South, which holds a 7-0 overall record and 5-0 in conference play, will travel to meet Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory High School at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10.
Bloomington North, which sits at 4-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, hosts Columbus North at 7 p.m. Oct. 10.
