Columbia (3-3) scored 19 unanswered points over the final 14 minutes of action to break open a close game and take a 47-27 win over the Wesson Cobras (4-3) on Friday night in the region opener for both teams.

The Cobras controlled the game early after going up 13-7 on a 45-yard scoring pass from Dell Thigpen to Shemar Dickerson. Columbia would steal momentum though with two quick scores only minutes apart that gave them a 21-13 halftime lead. Junior running back JaQuavion Harris scored the first Wesson TD of the night with a 15-yard run in the first quarter.

Thigpen would pull Wesson to within one, 28-27, late in the third quarter with an 85-yard rushing touchdown, but the Cobras would get no closer. Thigpen would also score on a 3-yard run earlier in the same quarter.

“We had too many turnovers and penalties in bad situations,” said Wesson head coach Jeremy Loy. “We have got to learn how to fight a hard fight on every play, not just pick and choose when we want to fight,” said Loy.

Wesson hosts Seminary next Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.