6A No. 10 Bull Dogs Turn Halftime Howl into Historic Romp over Olympians
One week after Columbus East braved a top-five 5A road test, the Olympians returned to Stafford Field at Bob Gaddis Stadium for the crosstown classic. For one half, East had the rivalry rhythm. After halftime, Columbus North brought the thunder. The Class 6A No. 10 Bull Dogs ripped off four third-quarter touchdowns and sprinted to a 52-7 victory — the largest margin in series history — with a second-half bite that never loosened.
Bull Dog Blitz:
Columbus North’s aerial engine revved early and never sputtered. Quarterback Asher Ratliff carved up the secondary with 22 completions on 29 attempts for a career-best 395 yards and four touchdowns. His distribution was pure kennel chemistry: Parker Elmore (7 receptions, 117 yards and a rushing TD) drew attention underneath and deep, opening the middle for Jacob Rice (4 for 81 and a TD) and the vertical lane for speedster Cohen Long (5 for 166 and a 78-yard lightning strike). The drive that ended the first half summed up North’s poise — 81 yards in 16 plays and a last-second TD to Morgan Knapp to restore a two-score cushion at intermission.
Columbus North’s aerial engine revved early and never sputtered. Quarterback Asher Ratliff carved up the secondary with 22 completions on 29 attempts for a career-best 395 yards and four touchdowns. His distribution was pure kennel chemistry: Parker Elmore (7 receptions, 117 yards and a rushing TD) drew attention underneath and deep, opening the middle for Jacob Rice (4 for 81 and a TD) and the vertical lane for speedster Cohen Long (5 for 166 and a 78-yard lightning strike). The drive that ended the first half summed up North’s poise — 81 yards in 16 plays and a last-second TD to Morgan Knapp to restore a two-score cushion at intermission.
Second-Half Surge:
The opening series after the break was all bite, no bark. A Ratliff-to-Long haymaker set up Ezekiel Scruggs from three yards out, and the Bull Dogs were off the leash. Elmore’s 10-yard Wildcat keeper, Rice’s 25-yard snag, and a scoop-and-score from cornerback Davonte Degraffenried ballooned it to a running-clock avalanche. Scruggs iced it on a 30-yard sprint for the final flourish.
The opening series after the break was all bite, no bark. A Ratliff-to-Long haymaker set up Ezekiel Scruggs from three yards out, and the Bull Dogs were off the leash. Elmore’s 10-yard Wildcat keeper, Rice’s 25-yard snag, and a scoop-and-score from cornerback Davonte Degraffenried ballooned it to a running-clock avalanche. Scruggs iced it on a 30-yard sprint for the final flourish.
Olympian Sparks, Bull Dog Answers:
East’s best counterpunch came late in the first half when Kyson Villarreal (7-for-16, 89 yards) hit Keaton Lawson in stride for a 40-yard catch-and-dash. But beyond that flash, North’s defense settled, swarmed, and hunted every short throw and perimeter run. The Bull Dogs finished with 62 rushing yards from Ezekiel Scruggs (two scores) and timely lanes for James Scruggs and Elmore to keep the chains moving and the clock chewing.
East’s best counterpunch came late in the first half when Kyson Villarreal (7-for-16, 89 yards) hit Keaton Lawson in stride for a 40-yard catch-and-dash. But beyond that flash, North’s defense settled, swarmed, and hunted every short throw and perimeter run. The Bull Dogs finished with 62 rushing yards from Ezekiel Scruggs (two scores) and timely lanes for James Scruggs and Elmore to keep the chains moving and the clock chewing.
By the Numbers (North 52, East 7):
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CN scoring: Ratliff TD passes to Scruggs (13), Long (78), Knapp (2), Rice (25); Scruggs runs (3, 30); Elmore run (10); Degraffenried fumble return (25)
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Yardage leaders: Ratliff 395 pass yds; Long 166 rec yds; Elmore 117 rec yds; Rice 81 rec yds
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East highlights: Lawson 2 catches, 84 yds, TD; Villarreal 101 total yds; defense forced 3 blocked/failed PATs
The Bull Dogs improve to 2-0 with another statement collar around the rivalry. The Olympians, now battle-tested, will reset with conference play looming — and a BBQ-fueled home crowd ready to rally behind an archway of optimism.