Columbus East High School

After a four-year drought, the Columbus East Olympian football team has brought the Hoosier Hills Conference (HHC) title back home. Traveling to Bedford North-Lawrence (BNL) Friday night, the Olympians had one goal in mind—reclaiming their place as HHC champions. They accomplished that in commanding fashion, closing out the Stars 44-7. The Olympians, who once boasted a streak of 96 consecutive HHC wins and 17 straight conference titles, saw their reign interrupted in 2021. But this year, Columbus East was determined to end that lull, and they did so in spectacular style. Starting strong, the Olympians executed a perfectly timed reverse play, with Keaton Lawson gliding 49 yards for the team’s first touchdown. Quarterback Kyson Villareal then found Lawson for another big play, setting up a 7-yard TD pass to Cam Herron, pushing the lead to 14-0. Lawson wasn't done, as Villareal launched a 75-yard bomb that found Lawson in stride for another score, making it 21-0 in the second quarter. As the Olympians methodically worked down the field late in the second quarter, running back Thomas Houpey capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, sending the Olympians into halftime up 28-7. In the second half, Columbus East’s defense and special teams stepped up. After a booming punt pinned BNL deep, the Olympians’ defense came through with a huge sack, forcing a punt. The Stars were called for holding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and extending the lead to 30-7. The momentum continued as Villareal connected with Jared Brooks for three consecutive passes, the last being a 1-yard touchdown pass to push the score to 37-7. Freshman quarterback James Scruggs capped the night with a 13-yard touchdown run, sealing the victory at 44-7 and initiating the running clock. With a perfect 6-0 record in conference play, the Olympians averaged 44.1 points per conference game while holding HHC opponents to just 10.8 points per contest. Playoffs on the Horizon: Columbus East now turns its focus to the IHSAA State football tournament. The Olympians will host the Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs in the first round of sectionals at The Fire Pit on Friday, November 1st, at 7 p.m. The Grizzly Cubs enter the playoffs with a 3-6 record but hail from the competitive Mid-State Conference, home to several of Indiana's top 25 teams in 5A. Key Stats: Passing yards: 208 (Kyson Villareal) Rushing yards: 215 total (103 by Thomas Houpey) Receiving yards: 124 (Keaton Lawson) Touchdowns: Kyson Villareal: 3 passing TDs Keaton Lawson: 49-yard reverse TD, 75-yard receiving TD Cam Herron: 7-yard receiving TD Jared Brooks: 1-yard receiving TD Thomas Houpey: 4-yard rushing TD James Scruggs: 13-yard rushing TD Defensive Highlights: Held BNL to 34 rushing yards and 159 passing yards Recorded a safety (holding call in end zone)