Columbia Football Returns Home to Face Atlantic-Delray

The Columbia Tigers (6-1, 1-1) look to bounce back from their first loss of the season on Friday, as they face a talented Atlantic-Delray Beach (4-2, 2-0) football team at home.

Disappointment Last Week

Columbia’s bid for an elusive undefeated season came t0 an end last week. The Tigers lost 27-21 in overtime at division rival Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville), in a game defined by miscues. Head coach Brian Allen expressed that, while painful to lose to a rival, his team’s missed opportunities and turnovers are something they can fix moving forward. However, losing to Lee means that the Tigers are likely to have to settle for a wild-card spot in the playoffs, making Friday’s tough non-conference game all the more important. Allen stressed the importance of scheduling this type of game in preparing his team for the postseason, as well as for the new RPI system’s strength-of-schedule metric.

Strength-on-Strength

Friday night’s game will largely be defined by the match up between Columbia’s offense and an opportunistic Atlantic defense. Though turnovers sunk Columbia’s effort at Lee, star quarterback Jordan Smith was still able to throw for over 250 yards, with fellow USF commit Marquez Bell on the receiving end of more than 100. This duo has driven Columbia all season, and Allen says the two seniors are motivated to put last week’s loss behind them and continue chasing a state title. They face a tall task, however, as Atlantic has stifled opposing offenses all year, allowing just 6.5 points per game. Atlantic’s unit is led by Henry Bryant, a 275 pound defensive tackle who is committed to Louisville.

What the Rankings Say

According to the FHSAA’s new RPI rating system, Columbia is still #37 overall in Florida, and fifth in class 6A. Atlantic is pegged #128 in the state and #22 in class 7A, having faced a schedule filled with talented South Florida schools.

Regardless of ratings, Friday’s game should be a good one between a couple of talented teams with postseason aspirations.

 

About Jake Lehman

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Moore

Florida Defensive Back Devin Moore ‘ready to turn loose’

With the increasing popularity of the transfer portal and hot new recruits, college football is …