Colfax gets crossover slot, but it's a matchup mystery

Colfax Bulldogs Friday rolled up four TDs in the first 20 minutes of the league clash at Springdale on the way to a 44-8 win over the host Chargers. The win advanced the Bulldog’s to 5-3 in the NE League race with Kettle Falls slated to visit here Friday for the last home game of the season.

Friday’s win left Colfax at 5-3 in the league race which saw undefeated Liberty stop Davenport 22-14 to remain at the head of the pack. The Gorillas are now in the number-two slot at 6-2, and Colfax remains in a three-team knot at third with Northwest Christian and Asotin.

Northwest Christian bumped Asotin 31-28 to drop the Panthers into the 5-3 group. Reardan was bumped down to 4-4 in last week’s round with Wilbur Creston posting a 14-6 win.

Colfax Friday will host a winless Kettle Falls team which has battled through the NE run with a small roster this year. Kettle was dropped 52-14 by the Ritzville Broncos in the Saturday action.

Kettle expects to make the trip here with as few as 15 players.

The league’s matchups in the crossover tourney Nov. 3 will go to the top six finishers which now include Liberty, Davenport, the three 5-3 teams and Reardan.

Coach Mike Morgan noted matchups this Friday which can stir the pot one more time will be Reardan vs. LRS, Northwest Christian vs. Davenport and Asotin vs Wilbur/Creston.

Colfax figures to be in the top six, but they won’t know where until the league results shake out late Friday night.

The Bulldogs have not been in the state playoffs since 2013 when they advanced as far as the quarterfinals.

Friday at Springdale, Colfax rolled up 424 yards against the Chargers in the 44-8 win. The Bulldogs booked 381 yards rushing and completed just two passes for the night.

Again the efficient Colfax offense racked up the points while their foes actually booked more possession time as they attempted to make up ground.

Ben Ahmann hit the first Colfax score with a 37-yard punt return after the Colfax defense kept the Chargers deep in their own end zone after the kickoff.

Christopher Jones ripped a 26-yard TD run with 1:41 left in the first quarter.

Dane Hall booked the next score on an unusual play that made the top five on the national “Huddle” site. Hall snagged the ball which was launched after a would-be Charger tackler hit the end of ball which his helmet. The ball was launched like a missile from Ahmann’s hands, Hall snagged it and ripped 52 yards for the third Colfax TD.

Ahmann, who finished with 129 yards on 19 carries, scored the last Colfax TD with 7:57 left in the first half on a one-yard plunger.

Springdale booked its lone score at the start of the second half on a 35-yard pass from Wyatt Edwards to Dusty Collins.

Matthew Neu scored for the Bulldogs by blocking a Charger punt, picking it up and taking it to the endzone with four minutes left in the third quarter. Ahmann capped a Colfax drive with 10-year TD run in the last quarter.

Colfax statistics: 424 total yards, 47-381 rushing, 2 for 11 for 43 passing, 18 first downs, 1 penalty for 5 yards; 2 fumbles-1 lost, 22:39 time of possession. Passing: Nick Klaveano 1-1 40 yards, Brett Kincaid 1-10 9 yards; Rushing Ben Ahmann 19-129, Christopher Jones 13-99, Matthew Neu 6-64, Dane Hall 1-26, Kincaid 8-11. Receiving: Bodey 1-40, Jones 1-3. Tackles; Dane HalL 10, Jones 7, Bodey 5, Klaveano 4, B. Ahmann 3.

Mary Walker statistics: 203 total yards with 42-168 rushing, and 2-6 for 35 passing, 11 first downs, 25:21 time of possession; Passing: Wyatt Edwards, 2-6 for 35 yards; Rushing; Jaybren Bunce 12- 74, Tyrell Crossley 16-65, Evan Kitt 6-21 Edwards 7-12, Andrew Matherley 1-minus 4. Receiving: Dustin Cates 1-35, Kitt 1-0.