A field goal attempt in overtime to knock off your county rival. A dream scenario for any kicker played out exactly like that in Columbus Junction on Friday and the Wildcats’ Yahir Ayala was up to the challenge. The senior and first year varsity kicker calmly knocked down a 27-yard field goal in overtime for a walk-off 9-6 victory over Louisa-Muscatine in week one. 

The Louisa County rivalry was a complete 180 turn from last year where Columbus snapped a nine game losing skid by upending the Falcons 34-28 in an offensive shootout. This time around both defenses controlled their opposition for the entire game and the only score of the first half was a L&M touchdown in the second quarter. Trailing 6-0, the Wildcats scored their only touchdown of the night halfway through the fourth quarter when Jeff Hoback found pay dirt on a 14 yard rush. The 6-6 tie sent the game to overtime where the Wildcats started on defense, stuffed the Falcons on four plays, and Ayala did the rest for their second consecutive win in the series. Columbus did not complete a pass offensively, but did rack up 258 yards on the ground led by Andrew Gonzalez carrying the rock 23 times for 146 yards. Cole Storm paced the defense with 8.5 tackles and recorded an interception. 

Head Coach Dave Lekwa tells KCII Sports it was a storybook ending. “You couldn’t have scripted a better ending to a game in week one against a huge rival. There is a lot of emotion that goes into this game from both sides. It was fun and exciting. Certainly not the prettiest game from either team, but it was enough for a win and we will take that any time.”

Columbus starts up the season 1-0 and they get back on the gridiron Friday hosting Highland (0-1).