STEENS — One interception can zap the life from a team that already is behind.
Four will eliminate all hope.
The Columbus Christian Academy Rams, leading 16-6 and struggling to defend Greenville Christian’s passing game, turned a fourth-and-1 at their 11-yard line into a 45-18 rout after senior linebacker Grant Wyatt jumped underneath a route and snagged the first of his two interceptions.
“Those are my first interceptions — ever,” Wyatt said. “All I could think was ‘just don’t fumble.’ ”
Columbus Christian (3-2, 2-0 Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A, District 2) had four interceptions, including two by Dawson Shaw. The Saints were 7-for-14 passing before Wyatt’s first interception, and finished 11-for-32 for 182 yards.
Wyatt’s first interception was the first stab of the dagger, Greenville Christian coach Jon Reed McLendon said.
“You move the ball and get ready to tie the ball game up … turnovers are always a momentum-killer,” McLendon said. “I think that was just the beginning of the momentum swing.”
The Saints ran the ball 14 times in part because of a growing deficit but also due to poor play-calling, McLendon admitted. But he credited the Rams’ staff with adjusting to his team’s passing game, normally the Saints “calling card.”
The Saints started by working bubble screens and wheel routes and found early success, Watkins said. But an adjustment between corners and safeties shut down Greenville Christian’s
attack.
“We were running an umbrella, four deep,” Watkins said. “When they’d motion, we’d roll the safety over. When they’d motion, they’d run the bubble or the wheel. A couple of times they ran it, we weren’t in position, so we left the corner up and rolled the safety over.”
Most of the Rams’ defensive game plan was installed without the help of film. But word of mouth sufficed, Watkins said.
“Everybody I’d talked to said to not be surprised if they move the ball up and down the field,” Watkins said. “Just be patient and tell guys to play their positions, and when the field shortens up, you won’t be so spread out.”
The advice also helped prepare Wyatt for his monstrous day at the second level.
“We’d worked on mirroring the quarterback, and whichever way he’s looking, that’s where you go,” Watkins said. “Grant had a great week of practice. I couldn’t tell you how many balls he dropped this week. Tonight, when it hit his hands, it stuck.”
Columbus Christian is tied for the district lead with Deer Creek. Next week, it will travel to Pearl to face Park Place.
“We still have a lot of room to grow, but this team has come a long way,” Shaw said. “I think by the end of the year we’ll definitely be going to second or third round of the playoffs.”
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