Sophomore Kiambu Jones scores three touchdowns in Cougars’ home opener.
Kiambu Jones is tackled in the end zone after scoring the first of his three touchdowns. Credit: David Chmiel.
A chilly breeze made it feel like a late-October game, but the Columbia High School football team opened its home schedule and delivered a glimpse at the early promise for the Cougars’ program.
The Cougars fell 35-21 to North Bergen High School, and 0-2 for the season, but Head Coach John Power and his staff are clearly a new era for the Cougars’ football program. Sophomore running back Kiambu Jones scored all three touchdowns for the Cougars.
The Cougar defense struggled to control North Bergen quarterback Anthony Ramos and tailback Ronald Fuentes. Fuentes carried the ball 23 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
Ramos ran for 81 yards and threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Rosa. Despite the efforts of the North Bergen juniors on offense, the Cougars stayed in the game with the Hudson County squad, but couldn’t overcome giving up two punt returns for touchdowns by North Bergen junior running back/defensive back Anthony DiOrio.
The Cougars battled back throughout the game, thanks to Jones. Midway through the second quarter, Jones took a pitch off right tackle, beat the North Bergen defense to the right corner and sprinted 98 yards for a touchdown that brought the Cougars to within a touchdown at 21-14.
Jimmy Martinez throws a pass to wide receiver Donte Rolley.
Senior quarterback Jimmy Martinez managed the game, with his running and passing. Senior running back Kwasi Graham, and junior wide receivers Donte Rolley and Jerrard Brown-Hawk also delivered big plays. The Cougars never stopped working hard throughout the game.
Despite giving up a touchdown to go down 35-21 with 1:25 left in the game, freshman reserve quarterback Brandon Robinson connected with Brown-Hawk on a 30-yard pass to get the Cougars down to the 9-yard-line. As the Cougars hurried to try to score, Robinson threw an interception near the goal line as time expired.
TURNING POINT: The Cougars punt team gave up two touchdowns by DiOrio, despite punter
Eli Rivera trying to angle his kicks to the sideline in order to keep the running back from running down the middle of the field.
COUGAR STAR OF THE GAME: Jones showed grit throughout the game on his way to three scores.
TEACHING MOMENTS: Power used his timeouts liberally to make points, especially with the punt team. He and his staff never missed opportunities to help players refine techniques and improve their approach to the game. Power, who played quarterback at the University of Georgia, worked with Martinez on clock management late in the second quarter.
REVELATION: Reserve quarterback Brandon Robinson, the lone freshman on the team, earned some time in the game, often working with starting quarterback Jimmy Martinez, who split wide as a slot receiver (often to run inside handoffs from Robinson). Robinson showed nice poise in the pocket and a strong arm, especially with a long pass to Jerrard Brown-Hawk late in the fourth quarter.
KEY INJURY: Senior running back Miles Edmond left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury. He returned to the bench in the second half on crutches, with a brace to immobilize his left leg.
NEXT OPPONENT: The Cougars will be on the road Friday, Sept, 26, v. Orange High School.
Game time is 7 p.m.
