One hundred sixty seven all-purpose yards and three touchdowns collected by running back Robert Columbus, senior, boosted the varsity football team past Rockwood Summit under the lights of Lyons Memorial Stadium Friday, Sept 26.

Columbus said that practice days are key to the Pioneer’s success. He knows his effort in practice can lead to 167-yard games.

“We always work on hitting the right holes and completing our practice assignments,” Columbus said. “If we do these things in our games, we can produce yards.”

In the last game against Rockwood Summit, Columbus had a positive impact that helped the team pull out the victory, head coach Matt Irvin said.

“He had a lot of impactful plays on defense, special teams, but especially on offense,” Irvin said. “ One particular long run, a great individual effort, help put us in a position to win the game”

According to Irvin, Columbus’ efforts are not a rare occurrence and he has had a multiple games like the Rockwood game.

“A couple weeks ago against Lafayette, he had three sacks, 100 yards rushing, and a blocked kick,” Irvin said.

As a senior captain, coaches notice the leadership he brings to the field that reflects his character, Irvin explains.

“He’s a veteran player that understands how you practice and prepare,” Irvin said. “He has this competitive maturity that reflects how focused he is.”