The Columbia Wildcats defeated the Lawrence County Cougars 20-13 in high school football action Friday night, in Columbia.

Underdog Lawrence County jumped to a 13-0 first quarter lead only to see Columbia battle back for a 14-13 halftime advantage. Columbia stretched it’s lead to 20-13 midway through the third quarter. Lawrence County got as close to the Columbia 11-yard line late in the game but could not produce the tying or winning touchdown.

With the win, Columbia, one of the favorites in 3A play, improves to 5-0 on the season. The Wildcats entered Fridays contest averaging 53 points per game. It was the Cougar’s third straight road loss, after opening the season with two wins.

Midway through the first quarter, Lawrence County’s Jerid Dunaway recovered a Columbia fumble, setting up a Haden Mullins to Brian Bogan 35-yard touchdown pass. LC led 6-0.

After a Stephen Pierce sack forced a Columbia punt on the ensuing possession, the Cougars made it 13-0 on Kylan Cooper’s 5-yard TD run.

Columbia regained the momentum on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Javen Moses to Tryson Johnson, then took the lead on a 1-yard scoring run by Kentrell Bullock. That score was set up by another Moses to Johnson pass covering 47 yards.

Midway through the fourth quarter, on a 4th-and-4 play, Mullins hit Bogan for 26 yards, down to the Columbia 11-yard line. That’s as close as the Cougars got.

Lawrence County returns home this Friday hosting the Wesson Cobras.

Story by Craig Davis