Columbus North High School

September 14, 2024 - Columbus North head football coach Logan Haston commented all week that this had been the Bull Dogs’ best week of practice in his three years as head coach. His players had intensity, focus, and excellent leadership the entire week of preparation. That paid dividends for his squad as they stayed undefeated for the season with a 14-0 victory over Class 4A eighth-ranked Roncalli on Friday night (September 13). Two former Bull Dogs teams were honored at the game, including the undefeated 1959 squad and the 12-2 2004 team, the first team to reach the semi-state game. Those two teams got to see a solid performance by the current Bull Dog squad as they outgained the Royals 317-157 and forced four Roncalli turnovers. North’s first score came with less than a minute to play in the first half as Asher Ratliff found Garrett Long for a 12 yard touchdown, giving the Dogs a 7-0 halftime advantage. Ratliff then scrambled and scored in the fourth quarter to give the Bull Dogs the 14-0 victory. Ratliff was 20-for-33 through the air for 187 yards and the touchdown to Long. Gino Prescott was again the workhorse in the backfield, carrying 17 times for 95 yards. JOrdan Brinder was North’s leading receiver, catching six passes for 69 yards. Dumo Kak and Jackson Haston each had fumble recoveries for the North defense. North dominated the time of possession 28:18 to 19:42 for the game. The JV and freshman teams completed the sweep of the Royals with the JV (4-0) winning 38-22 at Roncalli, and the freshmen (2-2) winning 22-14 at home Saturday morning. The Bull Dogs’ schedule does not get any easier as they prepare for a road trip to Bishop Chatard next Friday night (September 20). Class 4A second-ranked Chatard suffered its first loss of the season last night, 31-7 to Cathedral. Photo: Dumo Kak recovered a second half fumble by Roncalli, helping to seal a 14-0 Columbus North victory.