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Miami, FL — Today started a new era for the Columbus Explorers. The 8A state runner-ups are looking to get back to the state championship game with a new head coach. After 18 years, Chris Merrit decided to step away from the Columbus program and become the head coach at Bryant University, a Division I school in Rhode Island at the end of last season. Merrit posted a 172-45 record while head coach at Columbus making it to two state finals in 2014 and 2018.
The new head coach is a familiar name to the program. Coach Dave Dunn returns to the program after almost a two-decade hiatus. Merrit replaced Dunn back in 2000 and Dunn is doing the same with Merrit in 2019. Dunn went 17-4 in two seasons at Columbus in 1999 and 2000. Columbus gets it done in the new Dunn era in game one defeating Belen Jesuit (Miami) by the final score of 41-7 behind a big day from senior running back Henry Parrish Jr.
“I want to give it up to my [offensive line] that pushes me to be the best back in Dade,” said Parrish after his 17 carry 324-yard three-touchdown performance in what is known as the ‘Bishop Bowl’ Wednesday night at Tropical Park. “They make things happen for me.”
The 5’9″ 173 pound Pittsburgh commit woke everybody up early scoring on the first play from scrimmage. Parrish took to the outside and exploded down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown run to start things off.
On the first play from scrimmage @DoubleTay_21 takes it 80 yards for the touchdown! Great way to start the season if you’re a @ColumbusFtball fan. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/em13TxVVRq
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 21, 2019
Parrish also caught three passes for 17 yards.
“I just had to set the tone. We spoke to the defense they set the tone. We just had to come out with a bang.”
The senior running back remains solid with Pittsburgh but did mention that South Carolina could be in the mix as Thomas Brown has continued to recruit Parrish since he was the Miami running backs coach.
The Columbus defense contained Miami commit Don Chaney Jr. on the other side of the football. The 2020 running back struggled to get it going but did get the edge right before the half on a five-yard run for the Wolverine’s only six-pointer of the game. Chaney finished with 61 yards on 17 carries.
A high snap to the Belen punter that was eventually recovered by Explorer Keenan Toomer, led to the second score for Columbus. A pair of turnovers by Columbus quarterback Brandon McDuffey stalled potential drives in the first half. Sean Luc Beaubien intercepted a McDuffey jump ball over the middle and Nicholas Gonzalez pounced on a fumble from the Columbus quarterback. Columbus would take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
“We had a slow start but all the captains made sure we talked to the team to make sure our heads were in the right place,” said Miami commit Elijah Roberts.
Roberts remains solid with Miami and plans to take an official visit in November. He has no other visits planned.
Mid-third quarter, Chaney went down with cramps and Columbus went up on the scoreboard. Parrish ripped off a 76-yard touchdown again bouncing to the outside and using his speed to get to the goal line. Later in the third, it was Parrish again breaking tackles and making his way to pay dirt for a 25-yard touchdown run. Chaney would not return.
The Explorers of @ColumbusFtball extend their lead to 3 TDs over Belen Jesuit as @Pitt_FB commit @DoubleTay_21 continues to have a monster day. Watch this beast mode type of run by the senior. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/9HQ89UZFAM
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) August 22, 2019
Columbus would add two more touchdowns in the fourth with Christopher Gibert and Maykel Solis going in for red-zone scores. This year’s Columbus team is centered around the running game which eventually broke the Belen defense.
“This year we got unfinished business,” said Parrish. “It’s a new scheme with new coaches. We just have to continue to prepare and just play the game.”
Columbus has now defeated their fellow Christian based private school rival 15 straight times. The Wolverines have never defeated Columbus.
Columbus travels to Kissimmee to take on Osceola next Friday night while Belen looks to get a W at Gulliver (Miami) next week.
