Wahkiakum Mules blank Bulldogs in NE-SE game

Embarking on their first football opener against a non-league foe, the Colfax Bulldogs Saturday afternoon sustained a 0-14 loss to the Wahkiakum Mules at Cathlamet. The game was one of two booked between NE and SE leagues.

Colfax and Liberty headed to the coast Friday for one of four non-league games which will start the season for both teams in the SE South Division.

The trip involved a nine-hour bus ride, lodging on air mattresses in the hosts’ gym and dinner and breakfast served by the local booster club.

Coach Mike Morgan marked it down as a cultural experience.

For Colfax, the season opener went down as a pretty solid game on defense and a not-so much on offense.

The Mules rolled up a total of 284 yards on 57 plays, but they finished with just 14 points.

Morgan credited assistant Jason Cooper with rallying the defense to stop the Mules several times when they hit the red zone. Wahkiakum scored with 2:48 left in the first half on a 15-yard pass from QB Kaden Anderson to Quentin Nelson.

The Mules came back at the top of the last quarter to score on a six-yard plunge by Nelson.

Lucas Brown kicked both extra points for the hosts.

Colfax senior Augie Allenbach, who was moved to middle linebacker on defense, was credited with 9.5 tackles, including six solo stops.

Coach Morgan credited Allenbach with doing a solid job of reading the key on the Mules offense and making the right reactions.

Jacob Brown was credited for eight tackles, with seven solos.

Colfax offense rolled up the 86 yards on 42 plays. They hit 11 of 22 passes for 46 yards in the air.

Morgan noted the Bulldogs made it into their red zone three or four times, but just fell short of collecting points.

Colfax coaches rotated players during the game to get an idea on how each player could perform for the upcoming season.

Sophomore Layne Gingerich hit 10 of 20 passes for 40 yards, and junior Gunnar Aune hit one of two for six yards.

Jacob Brown led the rushing lineup with 20 yards in five carries, and Caden Noha booked 16 yards on three carries.

Liberty sustained a 7-47 loss to Napavine in the Saturday morning non-leaguer.

The Mules and Napavine are slated to travel across the state at the start of next season and play at either Liberty or Colfax. Matchups will be swapped.

Colfax will travel to Freeman Friday to play the Scotties in another non-leaguer game. The Scotties will host after sustaining a 27-41 loss to Timberlake in Idaho.

Morgan expects the Scotties will pass on possibly 70 percent of their offensive plays.

Colfax statistics: 42 plays for 86 yards. Passing: 11-22 for 46 yards; Rushing: 20 for 40 yards; Turnovers: 2 fumbles, one lost, 1 interception; Possession time: 19. 02; First Downs: 7 with 3 passing, 3 rushing, 1 on penalty; Passing: Layne Gingerich, 10 for 20 for 40 yards: Gunnar Aune, 1-2 for six yards: Rushing: Jacob Brown 5-20, Caden Noha 3-16, Cameron Hiatt 2-10, Gavin Hammer 3-8; Receiving: Gabe Ahmann 4-34, Hiatt 1-9, Mark Morgan 2-6, Nick Klaveano 1-4, Dakota Hall 1-minus 2, Noha 1-minus 3. Tackles: Augie Allenbach 9.5- 6 solo, Brown 8-7 solo, Hiatt 5-3 solo, Noha 4-1 solo.