Columbia Academy 54, Whitwell 6
The star: Columbia Academy receiver Taylor Thompson scored five touchdowns in the win over Whitwell.Up next: The Bulldogs play next Friday in a Class 1A quarterfinal at South Pittsburg.
COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Whitwell’s chances of a TSSAA Class 1A second-round win over Region 4 champion Columbia Academy took a hit on the opening kickoff when Mr. Football semifinalist Taylor Thompson returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first of five touchdowns for the gifted senior wide receiver, who had four scoring receptions from three passers for 24 of his 30 points in a 54-6 rout of the Tigers.
The once-beaten Bulldogs, winners of their last 11 games, advances to a quarterfinal next Friday at South Pittsburg, which won 55-23 over Fayetteville, which lost 29-23 at Columbia Academy this season.
Whitwell (6-6), hampered by two lost fumbles and a pass interception in the first half, broke into the scoring column in the fourth period when the Bulldogs had an errant pitchout that Tigers senior Clay Mahone scooped up and carried 21 yards to the end zone.