Navy and Gold Took Over Bolden: Keenan Runs Columbia Off the Field, 46-8

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Everywhere I moved Friday night at Bolden Stadium, I saw navy and gold—and Keenan football gave its people plenty to celebrate.

It was perfect football weather. Keenan traveled well, and the band made the trip to back them up. It was senior night for Columbia, but it didn’t feel like a road game for long.

The Raiders scored first, jumped out early and never let the Capitals catch their breath. When it was over, Keenan football had a 46-8 conference win built on six touchdowns, five two-point conversions, five takeaways and four sacks. Keenan is 7-3. Columbia fell to 1-9.

Locked In: No. 50

Of course, some players have good games. Junior Conrad Hampton (#50) had one of those nights where he was just locked in.

He was tackling everybody and finished with 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. But his two fumble recoveries were the moments that stood out to me.

I was there for both, and you could feel the energy change each time. Hampton came up from both extra hype, and the Keenan sideline fed off it. After one, he didn’t just fall on the ball. Instead, he picked it up and ran 40 yards with it.

Still, he had help. Sophomore Kristian McQueen (#24) also had two sacks and 10 tackles. Meanwhile, senior Jaemon Benson (#2) picked off two passes and returned them 37 yards. Senior Jaden Moody (#4) also grabbed another interception.

In the end, Columbia scored eight points. On the road, on someone else’s senior night, that’s all Keenan’s defense allowed.

No. 5 Stayed Cool

Senior quarterback Dante Howse (#5) was poised and focused all night. Clearly, nothing rattled him.

He went 9 of 25 for 195 yards and two touchdowns with no picks. When the pocket wasn’t there, he took it himself for 51 rushing yards and a score. Altogether, that’s three touchdowns and 246 total yards.

In fact, he didn’t need to force anything. Senior Jordan Wilson (#6) caught one ball all night and took it 53 yards to the house. Senior Marcus Simpson Jr. (#7) was his go-to target, with four catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Junior Jamauri Johnson (#3) also went up and got one for 44.

Backfield by Committee, and It Works

First, senior Hunter O’Neal (#8) needed only six carries for 98 yards, including a 45-yard run, and a touchdown. Freshman Derrian Lowery (#10) ran six times for 54 yards and found the end zone. He also had eight tackles and a pass breakup on defense.

A freshman playing both ways and scoring in a conference game on the road. Lowery gave me another name to watch.

In addition, sophomore Daylin Casey (#1) punched one in, and Moody turned his only carry into 34 yards.

Then came the extras. O’Neal ran in two two-point conversions, Lowery ran in two, and junior Jalil Hall (#14) caught one. That’s ten bonus points.

Keenan Football Sideline: Fired Up, Focused

There was a lot of energy on the Keenan football sideline, especially after Hampton’s recoveries. The players were fired up, but I watched the coaches keep them focused.

Keenan Football Players of the Game

Offense: QB Dante Howse (#5). Poised all night and responsible for three touchdowns.

Defense: DE/MLB Conrad Hampton (#50). Two fumble recoveries, two sacks and a 40-yard return.

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