Colfax aims at Lancer string after stopping NWC's string

Above: Nick Klaveano of Colfax puts the wrap on NWC receiver Gunnar Kuehl in the first half at West Valley on Friday.

Right: A Colfax defender reaches out to collect a Crusader fumble in front of the Colfax bench.

After ending Northwest Christian’s season-long win streak at West Valley Friday night, Colfax football players will face another tough assignment this Friday when Liberty brings an undefeated record to Schmuck Park for the homecoming game.

The Lancers, who graduated Chase Burnham and other key seniors off last year’s team which went to the state playoff, will bring a 5-0 record to Colfax. They are now on top of the league after Colfax stopped Northwest Christian’s string with the 14-0 win Friday at West Valley.

Liberty last year went all the way to the title game in the state finals and finished second in 2B.

Colfax Coach Mike Morgan noted the Lancers are a well-prepared team and make very few mistakes. They use a variety of sets with the aim of out-matching opponent on the play.

Liberty QB this year is Alex Fletcher, a grandson of former long-time Lancer Coach Rod Fletcher.

Mike Dewey is now the head coach for the school.

Against the Crusaders Friday at West Valley, Colfax offense dominated with 269 total yards compared to 130 for the Crusaders. The Bulldogs totaled 174 rushing yards and 115 passing on a 8-17 mark posted by senior QB Brett Kincaid.

After the Bulldogs and Crusaders locked up at 0-0 in the first half, Colfax scored on its first possession of the second half. Kincaid hit Nick Klaveano on a 58 TD yard pass play with 10:54 still on the clock in the third quarter.

Colfax started the half with the defense again coming up with big plays. The Crusaders returned the kickoff across the 50-yard line, but they were held to a fourth down, and their punter attempted to run for a first down and failed.

The ball went over to Colfax, and Kincaid hit the first shot to Klaveano.

The Crusaders moved the ball on the next series, but Colfax defense held on two straight plays when NWC fell just inches short of a first down.

The battle continued into the last quarter and the Bulldogs added their second TD in the last 1:26 of the game when Ben Ahmann ran a one-yarder and then ran a two-point conversion.

Coach Morgan noted the top aim for that last drive was to eat up the clock and eliminate the chances of NWC pulling out a win with a TD and an extra point.

Morgan credited the Bulldog line for leading the final campaign. Colfax kept the ball on the ground and ran off 13 plays to grind down the clock.

Zach Jarosh heads upfield after making a catch with Sila Perreiah in pursuit for the Crusaders. Dakota Hall is blocking another defender behind Jarosh.

The game started with NWC’s Silas Perreiah living up to advanced billing with some big gains. However, Colfax began to contain the NWC offense early in the game and launched a first quarter drive to the six-inch line and but short of a TD.

Perreiah finished the night with 111 yards on 25 carries, but the two other NWC running backs finished with minus-three net yards.

Colfax senior linebacker Dane Hall finished with 12 solo tackles, and Augie Allenbach had five.

Northwest had five complete passes, but their air game netted just 22 yards for the night.

Coach Morgan noted Hall might have set a record with the dozen solo stops. Hall’s skill as a wrester and his size make him able to get through the line quick and make the stops.

Colfax stats: 289 yards, 115 passing, 33-174 rushing, penalties 3-30, fumble 1 lost, first downs 17; possession time 25:49; passing: Brett Kincaid 8-17 for 115 yards; rushing: Ben Ahmann 30-134, Christopher Jones 12-46, Matthew Neu 4-6, Kincaid 3 minus- 12. Receiving: Klaveano 1-58, Dakota Hall 2- 24, Mason Miller 1-20, Zach Jarosh 2-12, Jones 1-1. Tackles: Hall 12, Allenbach 5, Blake Bodey 4, Neu 3, B. Ahmann 3, Jones 3.

NWC stats: 130 yards with 108 rushing 5-18 for 22 passing, penalties 2-15, first downs 9, time of possession 22:11; rushing: Perreiah 111, Brett McKenkzie 6-15, Eli Sander 2 minis 18, Passing McKenzie 5-18 22.

Tackles: Sander 8, Gunnat Kuehl 6, Levi Veenstrs 3, Keaton Carolus-Knutson 3.