Late Colfax explosion zaps LRS in league start

Colfax Bulldogs and the LRS Broncos battled for three quarters Friday night at Schmuck Park before the Bulldogs zapped two unanswered scores, both keyed by long gains, to take control of the game. Final score for the Bulldog win was 29-13.

The win was the first NE-South league test for Colfax and ended a three-game stand on the home field. This week they will make the short trip north to Spangle to face Liberty in the second league round.

Friday, Colfax had scratched out a one point lead, 14-13 with more than 10 minutes left.

Junior Nick Klaveano gathered a Bronco kickoff at the 38-yard line and went all the way for a score to bump the score to 20-13, and Jacob Brown kicked the extra point for a 21-13 lead.

Colfax defense then fought off a Bronco drive, but found themselves in a third-and-16 hole and on the brink to turning the ball over to LRS. Instead, Cameron Hiatt, who finished with a 20-151 night rushing, went through a giant hole in the Bronco line and raced down the Colfax side of the field to the eight-yard line before he was caught by Conrad Ziemer.

Hiatt scored in a short run, and QB Layne Gingerich passed to Klaveano for two points for the 29-13 finish with 25 seconds left on the clock.

Coach Mike Morgan credited Assistant Todd Kinley with making a play call which launched Hiatt on the long run. Kinley nominated a counter play which opened the door after Bronco defenders loaded up on the wrong side of the field.

After close battles for the last two years, the two south side teams fought to a 0-0 standoff after the first quarter. Colfax broke the ice with Jacob Brown capping a drive with a short run in the second frame for a slim 6-0 Colfax lead for the first half.

After halftime, Ziemer scored on a 35-yard run and Shontz Yaeger kicked the extra point for a 7-6 Bronco lead late in the third quarter.

Colfax came back to score on a run by Hiatt, and Gingerich hit Klaveano for a two-point conversion for a 14-7 Colfax edge.

Ritzville early in the last quarter scored on a pass from Bryce Kelly to Austin Thompson, but Yeager missed the point kick to put the score at 13-14 before the Colfax fireworks went off in the last 10 minutes.

The refs logged a total of 12 penalties, with LRS called eight times for 90 yards and Colfax called four times for 45 yards. Colfax had two drives stopped on interceptions and two on fumbles.

Liberty this week will host Colfax after posting a 39-14 win over Davenport in non-league action last week. Colfax defeated Davenport 54-26 in a non-league game here three weeks ago.

The Lancers two weeks ago blanked Irrigon, Ore., 27-0.

Liberty rolls up yards behind big John Denney on the line and veteran Justin King as an all purpose back.

In the other NE-South battle this week, Reardan edged Asotin 30-26.

Colfax statistics: 64 plays for 307 yards, 10 of 16 passing for 91 yards, 2 interceptions; 48 for 216 yards rushing, 4 penalties for 45 yards, two fumbles-both lost, 29:40 time of possession, 22 first downs with 15 rushing 8 passing and 4 in penalties. Passing: Layne Gingerich 10 for 15 for 91 yards: , Gunnar Aune, 0-1; Rushing: Cameron Hiatt 20 -151, Jacob Brown 15-80, Gingrich 11 for minus 22; Receiving: Brown 3-36, Dakota Hall 3-30, Gabe Ahmann 3-16, Brandon Lustig 1-9;. Tackles: Brown 4 with 3 solos, Hall 4 with 3, Klaveano 3.5 with 1, Hiatt 3.5 with 3, Caden Noha 3.5 with 2.

LRS statistics: 45 plays for 269 yards, 12 for 23 passing for 139 yards , 22 for 130 rushing, 8 penalties for 90 yards, two fumbles, lost one, 9 first downs with 2 rushing 6 passing. one on penalty, possession tine18:20. Passing: Bryce Kelly-12 pf 23 for 139 yards; Rushing: Kelly 9-72, Ziemer 5-44, Austin Thompson 6-11, Spencer Gering 2-3: Receiving Thompson 8-124, Gering 1-8, Yaeger 1-7, Drew Kelly 1-4, Ziemer 1-minus 4. Tackles: Jay Harder-9 with 4 solo, Gering 7 with 5, Ziemer-7 with 5, Garrett Frederick 6 with 5, Yaeger 5.5 with 5, Ray Melvile 4.5 with 3, Bruce Hansen 4.5 with 3.