Columbus North High School

November 5, 2022 - For just over a half of football, the Columbus North football team felt really good about how they were competing with fourth-ranked and two-time defending State Champions Center Grove. Coming out of halftime facing a 14-0 deficit, receiving the second half kickoff, and having already driven deep into Center Grove territory once in the first half, coach Logan Haston’s team had a sense of excitement and confidence. That confidence faded quickly as Center Grove took control of the ball and the game in the second half en route to a 49-14 Sectional Championship victory and their ninth victory of the season. “That is the most disciplined team that I’ve ever faced as a coach,” Haston reflected after the game. “We tried to do some things with formations and motions that we thought might give them some problems, but they handled them very well and had great answers for what we tried to do. Even in situations that we felt like we had a strategic advantage, their players and scheme were so sound that we could only muster 3-4 yards. That’s a really good team for sure. They’re well-coached and we respect their program.” Tyler Blythe rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries to surpass the 1000-yard rushing mark for the season. Quarterback Zac Horn threw for 216 yards, completing 14-of-24 passes, including an 81-yard touchdown to Cooper Horn, his 20th receiving touchdown of his record-setting season. Zac Horn broke the school record for most touchdown passes in a season with 26, passing Trenton Kelley (2017) and Ryan Genth (1989) who each had 25. Cooper Horn caught 6 passes for 172 yards for the night, both of which added to his school record season statistics. He finished the season with 71 receptions for 1471 yards. The Bull Dogs finished their season 5-6 under first-year head coach Haston, who took over the program in June after the resignation of long-time head coach Tim Bless in May. This was North’s tenth consecutive Sectional loss to Center Grove, with their last victory over the Trojans coming in 2007. Photo: The Bull Dogs cheerleaders try to fire up the crowd at the Sectional Championship football game versus Center Grove. The Trojans secured a 49-14 victory, ending North's season with a 5-6 record.