Columbia continues to set the standard in Cahokia Conference

By Norm Sanders

Updated August 21, 2016 8:37 AM

After blowing through four straight unbeaten Cahokia Conference football seasons, the Columbia Eagles have amassed 24 straight league victories.

Their last conference defeat was a 34-20 loss to Red Bud on Oct. 14, 2011.

“That always keeps our kids motivated, without question,” said Columbia coach Scott Horner, whose team won its first 10 games last season before losing 45-22 to Mater Dei in the Class 4A state playoffs. “We’re extremely young and extremely unproven at this point. We’ve got some really good talent and I really like our skill positions on offense and defense.

“But we’re extremely inexperienced and young on the offensive and defensive lines.”

Offense

Columbia took a big graduation hit on the offensive line and lost its quarterback and top running back. Only one starter returns on offense and four on defense.

We’ve got some really good talent and I really like our skill positions on offense and defense. But we’re extremely inexperienced and young on the offensive and defensive lines.

Scott Horner

Columbia head football coach

“If you’ve got a huge junior class behind them that are just biding their time, then you can fill in. We don’t really have that,” said Horner, who has only 35 players sophomores through seniors. “I usually dress anywhere from 55 to 60. Just a couple small classes, it’s not as if a bunch of great football players are walking the hallways that have quit.”

Senior Greg Long and junior Jordan Holmes are battling for the starting quarterback job to replace Drew Huebner (1,796 yards, 23 touchdowns).

“Regardless of who gets the job, the other one will play somewhere on the offensive side,” Horner said. “They’re both playmakers. They both throw the ball pretty well and the ultimate decision will come down to poise and football IQ.”

Holmes was the Eagles’ top receiver as a sophomore with 44 catches for 554 yards and four TDs. Long (231 yards, two TDs) averaged more than 10 yards per carry.

Defense

Senior Colton Byrd (375 yards, six TDs) also returns at running back and will handle outside linebacker duties as well. He’s small at 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, but piled up 63 tackles and two sacks last season.

“He’s gained at least 20 pounds since last year,” Horner said. “He’s 180 but he plays like he’s 200 or 210.”

The receivers will be Long or Holmes, juniors Mitch Daniels, Dylan Hildebrand and Jared Germain along with Liam Knox.

Senior all-state and all-area linebacker Owen Suedkamp (163 tackles, one interception) returns to anchor the defense and also will start at right guard. Byrd also return at linebacker, while Long (60 tackles, one sack) moves from defensive back to linebacker. Jarrett Allscheid will man another linebacker slot.

Senior Cole Napier (6-4, 210) is the top defensive lineman.

Holmes (51 tackles) and Knox are the cornerbacks with Daniels at safety. Long is also one of area’s top kickers and had five field goals and 51 extra-points a year ago.

Southwestern Conference

ALTON: Redbirds young, but looking to improve

GRANITE CITY: Warriors looking for improvement

COLLINSVILLE: Kahoks trying to take the next step

Cahokia Conference (Mississippi Division)

CARLYLE: Good depth of talent for Class 2A

COLUMBIA: Eagles set the standard in conference

FREEBURG: Coaches have a lot of decisions to make

RED BUD: Improvement depends on speed, defense

Cahokia Conference (Kaskaskia Division)

DUPO: Final year in Cahokia Conference

Mississippi Valley Conference