SM-Tn Sports
Columbia Academy came out on the wrong end of the turnover count and the scoreboard Friday night, dropping a 27-14 decision at Clay County in the season opener.
The matchup was hastily scheduled and finalized Monday, after Columbia Academy’s original season-opening foe, Marshall County, had to cancel because of COVID-19 concerns.
CA quarterback Bryant Beranek suffered five interceptions, the second of which led to a Clay County touchdown just before halftime to boost the host Bulldogs to a 20-7 lead at intermission.
The visitors, who got on the board first after a Chris Modeste fumble recovery set up a 2-yard Beranek scoring run, pulled within a touchdown early in the fourth period on a Collins Malone 8-yard scoring reception from Beranek. However, Clay County choked off each of the next three CA possessions with pickoffs to hold off a late rally.
Columbia Academy had a pair of fumbles, while Clay County lost four on the night. The hosts rushed for 201 yards, though, on 39 attempts.
Clay Co. 27, Columbia Acad. 14
At Clay County HS
CA 7 0 0 7 – 14
CC 0 20 0 7 – 27
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
CA — Bryant Beranek 2 run (8:28), Will Garrison kick
Second Quarter
CC – Carson Sharp 13 run (9:08), run failed
CC – Joseph Marcom 11 pass from Keaton Arms (1:17), Levi Garrett kick
CC – Alec Kerr 3 run (0:06), Garrett kick
Fourth Quarter
CA – Collins Malone 8 pass from Beranek (9:58), Garrison kick
CC – Kerr 14 run (4:32), Garrett kick
Team Statistics
CA CC
First downs 8 11
Rushes-yards 30-52 39-201
Passing yards 50 50
Comps-Atts-Ints 10-23-5 5-12-0
Penalties-yards 4-30 2-20
Fumbles-lost 3-1 4-4
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Columbia Acad. – Devon Del Carmen 3-12, Bryant Beranek 9-18, Chris Modeste 3-(-9), Nathan Thomas 1-(-1), Max Ballard 6-19, Franklin Walker 6-25
Clay Co. – Jimmy Burchett 1-(-5), Keaton Arms 9-93, Carson Sharp 21-88, Alec Kerr 8-25
Passing
Columbia Acad. – Bryant Beranek 10-23-5, 50
Clay Co. – Keaton Arms 5-12-0, 50
Receiving
Columbia Acad. – Canon Lansdell 3-10, Max Ballard 2-8, Franklin Walker 1-3, Collins Malone 4-29
Clay Co. – Brison Burchett 1-12, Jacob Burnette 1-7, Joseph Marcom 1-11, Alec Kerr 2-20