Colfax wraps year at 5-3; offers ‘all the best’ to TOR

Colfax Coach Mike Morgan credited the Nighthawks with bringing all the goods to Schmuck Park Friday night for their 36-14 win in the NE-SE crossover game. Morgan before the game said he rated TOR as a number-one contender, and the guests proved up in the all-county scramble.

“They’re a big, strong, physical team, and they ran all over us that night,” Morgan commented. “They just had too many weapons.”

Morgan said the Colfax charts credited the ‘hawks with stacking up 460 yards during the game. Colfax finished with 160 yards against the solid Nighthawk defense.

Colfax knew before the game that TOR Coach Kaleb Madison and crew would arrive with a quarterback change after Ryan Maley was hurt, but they didn’t know who would get the call. He credited Micah Pittsley, the senior QB who led the ‘hawks, with turning in a solid game.

The two teams battled to a standoff in the first quarter Friday at Colfax, but TOR activated the scoring clock with three TDs before the half.

Pittsley hit Max Mueller on the 45-yard TD pass play for the first TD on third-and 12 play. Colfax answered with a pass to freshman Keith Gfeller on a fourth-down play.

Two more TOR plays, one on a run by Clay Shelton and the other on a 72-yard scamper by Craig Nelson put the ‘hawks up 22-8 at the half.

After the break, Colfax came within a TD, 22-14, after Levi Hardy picked off a ‘hawk pass and took it all the way to paydirt. The score turned out to be the final points for the Bulldogs’ season.

Pixley bounced right back with a 33-yard escape run on a keeper and then threw to 6-8 Max Mueller for the next TD on a fourth and eight play.

Pittsley struck again with 8:30 left when he intercepted a Colfax pass. Clay Shelton bagged the score on a counter play. A pitch to Nelson for two more points ended the scoring at 36-14.

Coach Morgan predicts the Nighthawk-Bronco collision Friday at Ritzville will be a battle. Both teams feature power lines, and the team that can sustain that power can expect to advance to the quarter final round the following week.

LRS will host after dropping Asotin 40-7 with Dylan Hartz scoring twice. The Broncos were the lone NE contender to advance to the playoff rounds.

DeSales, the only team to defeat TOR this year, stopped Davenport 44-6, and Waitsburg/Prescott, the defending champs, hammered Springdale 47-6.

Morgan also expects Morton/White Pass, last years’ number-two team, could leave a few marks on the playoff trail before it’s all over.

Morgan added despite the early shutdown this year, he and the rest of the Bulldog staff rate the season a success. Members of the Bulldog team again Friday played down to the final buzzer. During the season, the crew has remained competitive and fun and easy to coach.

“We’re very proud of all of these guys. They did a great job, but now its time to go on to the next thing,” Morgan commented.

Colfax will honor seven seniors at the Nov. 29 football banquet.