The theme of the Columbia High School band’s halftime show Friday night was “Come Together” by The Beatles, and that’s just what two Monroe County communities did for their annual rivalry football game.

Still reeling from the death of CHS sophomore Crawford Bryant in a Sept. 1 car crash that also injured three CHS students (one seriously), fans from both schools were encouraged to wear Columbia blue and Waterloo orange as a symbol of unity in healing from the tragedy.

Further to that theme, the Columbia and Waterloo football teams entered the playing field Friday arm-in-arm in a rare show of solidarity prior to the contest. Leading the way was Crawford’s older brother Hudson Bryant, a senior for the Eagles, locking arms with Waterloo’s Wyatt Luhr.

Leading the way was Crawford’s older brother Hudson Bryant, a senior for the Eagles, locking arms with Waterloo’s Wyatt Luhr.

“Very thankful that (Waterloo head coach) Dan (Rose) and his team came together with us during a very difficult time, in support of all the students here at Columbia,” Columbia head coach Scott Horner said. “Very class act on their part.”

Rose said that he and Horner have coached against each other since the early 1990s and considered it an honor to join in this display.

“Over the years, we have had to deal with tragedy in our own program,” Rose said. “I am glad we could help in the process and hope that in some small way we helped the Columbia community and affected family/families.”

There was still a football game to play, and the Bulldogs dictated the action much of the night for a 31-14 victory.

After failing to score from Columbia’s 25 yard line in their opening drive, good field position in the Bulldogs’ second drive ended with a six-yard touchdown run by Justin Manning late in the first quarter.

Waterloo went up 14-0 thanks to a continuously physical running game that resulted in a short TD run by Derez Sayles at 5:33 of the second quarter.

Columbia showed signs of life by answering that scoring drive with an 11-yard TD run by Logan Hicks just more than two minutes later. Jase Nelson ripped off some solid runs on that drive for the Eagles.

The Bulldogs had a chance at scoring another TD before halftime but were backed up by a penalty and missed on three straight pass plays to the endzone. Cameryn Woolley made a 31-yard field goal to put Waterloo up 17-7 at the half.

The gut punch for the Eagles came on a 49-yard TD pass from Waterloo’s Conrad Lindhorst to Jaxson Mathenia on a third-and-long play, putting the ‘Dogs up 24-7 at 6:41 of the third quarter.

Sayles added his second short TD run of the night to further put Waterloo ahead at 31-7 in the fourth quarter after the Bulldogs converted on fourth down and short yardage.

In a fitting ending to this night, the final score of the game came on a 14-yard TD pass from Columbia’s Mason Voegele to Hudson Bryant in the final minute, resulting in a loud round of applause.

In addition to the TD reception, Hudson Bryant led Columbia’s defense with 10 tackles and four assists.

Mathenia was Waterloo’s top offensive performer with 60 receiving yards and 51 yards rushing. Manning added 88 yards on the ground, with Sayles contributing 82 yards rushing.

Waterloo’s defense held Columbia to just 154 yards of total offense. Key members of the ‘Dogs defense on this night included Luhr, Owen Niebruegge, Brock Arpin and Patrick O’Donnell.

Waterloo (2-0) plays its home opener next Friday against Centralia.

Columbia (1-1) travels to Taylorville next week.

See photos from Friday’s rivalry game by clicking here.

Tigers blast Principia, 40-14

Following a blowout loss in week one, the Dupo High School football team turned the tables Saturday at Principia.

The Tigers took to the air early and often in a 40-14 victory.

Dupo quarterback Deegan Prater was 20-for-30 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. 

Thinh Staggs had five catches for 107 yards to pace the Tigers, with Kaden Scheppelman reeling in six catches for 62 yards.

Prater led Dupo’s rushing attack with 69 yards on the night. 

On defense, Cole Putnam recorded a fumble recovery. 

Up next for Dupo is a road match this Friday night at Madison. The Tigers won 56-29 last year at home against Madison.