The Columbia High School football team found itself in an early 14-0 hole at Wesclin on Friday night, but the Eagles defense settled in and the offense got its ground game grinding in a 37-14 victory.

The host team Warriors came out strong, scoring two touchdowns in the opening frame. Columbia gathered itself and countered with running back Lou Isringhaus, who ripped off touchdown runs of 3, 26 and 41 yards and finished with 157 yards on 16 carries.

Eagles quarterback Jacob Hill, this week’s Republic-Times Athlete of the Week, threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Fields in the third quarter and ran for a 30-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to put things out of reach.

Hill also contributed an interception on defense for the Eagles in the Cahokia Conference win.

The Eagles (3-1) will host another conference foe, Carlyle, next Friday in their homecoming game.