COLUMBUS – Given how stingy the defenses of Columbus West and Columbus South had been heading into a City League South showdown Friday night, one could have easily guessed that the outcome would be decided by either a big play or a costly turnover.

“Regardless of who won, we came in expecting a slugfest … a real fight for yardage and big plays,” West junior receiver/defensive back Bradley Binion said. “When they say that defense wins ballgames, we proved that to be right tonight.”

Binion landed the first of precious few big blows in this disjointed, penalty-marred battle of unbeatens and the visiting Cowboys came away with a gritty 14-0 victory to gain at least a share of their first City title since 1975.

Late in the first half, Binion fielded a low line drive punt and raced 75 yards down the sideline for a touchdown to end a scoreless stalemate. The Cowboys made it 8-0 on a two-point conversion pass from Del’Navon Bailey to Jayshawn Hall.

Binion was so excited he forgot which sideline he danced down during the game-changing return.

“We were just in a position where we had to make something happen,” he said. “I remember grabbing that punt and seeing two people coming my way so I made a cutback then turned it back to the sideline and saw nothing but green. I wasn’t thinking it won the game or anything but it sure turned the momentum our way.”

West (9-0, 6-0) pulled off the win with just six first downs and 134 total yards, but capitalized on three South turnovers. The Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) moved the ball more effectively but couldn’t convert key third- and fourth-down plays and often were their worse enemies with ill-timed mistakes and penalties.

In fact, the teams combined for 220 yards in penalties.