Columbia City takes advantage of Rockie’s mistakes

Courtesy of The Pilot News. Photo by Rudy Marquez.

PLYMOUTH — With both teams coming off big opening night wins spirits were high for the Rockies matchup with Columbia City but the Eagles took advantage of some early mistakes to come away with a 42-13 win at Plymouth.
It was a night of bad omens to start with over an hour delay to the start due to lightning and it only got worse when after a three-and-out first series the first Plymouth punt snap of the game was a ground ball that punter Carlos Carillo had to just fall on at the two-yard line giving Columbia City first and goal and six points almost before the fans had settled into their seats.
It got no better on the second series when another bad snap set the Eagles up at the Plymouth 20 for another score. The third time wasn’t a charm as just a few minutes later a Plymouth interception also ended in Columbia City points putting the Rockies in a deep hole.
Plymouth didn’t back away punching in a first half score of their own and adding an 80 yard touchdown run by Exzander Ramirez in the second half but it was just not enough.
“We knew they were going to be physical, we knew they were going to run the ball but we really shot ourselves in the foot,” said Plymouth coach Adam Handley. “Our guys fought to the end that’s all we can ask of them. We were prepared I think, we just didn’t make plays a few times.”
Plymouth’s defense rallied taking away the middle running game for most of the night, but the Eagles were able to use their speed to exploit the Rockies on the edge.
“They were going to make our corners and safeties make plays and we got the tackle on the edge it was the corner or safety making the tackle, said Handley. “When it was a big play it wasn’t. Those guys love to be in pass coverage but we talked all week with a run team you are going to have to be involved. We are going to see that again against Warsaw, and Mishawaka.”
The Plymouth offense had some success but couldn’t turn it into points for most of the night.
“We knew they were going to try to take away Exzander,” said Handley. “Whenever we ran our read option stuff they gave us the read as a handoff. We had some mental lapses, we put in a little wrinkle for Exzander at halftime and that was the big run.”
Plymouth is now 1-1 on the season and will be at home again next week to open NLC play against Northridge.