Colfax gridders wrap 7-3 season at award night

Colfax football banquet Tuesday began with a lineup of all team members and presentation of varsity certificates to all players. Coach Mike Morgan explained under state WIAA rules, teams which advance to the state finals can present varsity letters to all team members, including junior varsity players.

Assistant coaches handing out the certificates were Todd Kinley for the freshmen, Phil Morgan for the sophomores, Jason Cooper for the juniors and Mark Brown for the seniors.

Colfax this year compiled a 7-3 record. They bagged the first league title since 2011 with one league defeat to Reardan at the end of the run, earned the Bulldogs' first state entry since 2013 by topping the league and defeating LRS in the crossover round and again won the state's fall sports academic award.

Morgan credited the team's eight seniors with providing outstanding leadership for the group dating back to spring workouts and the summer camp trip to Western Washington University.

Morgan noted the team's 7-3 run included a non-league loss to Heppner, Ore., a team which will play in Oregon's state championship game for their division this week.

Special awards for varsity, voted on by the team, went to Anthony Becker, most improved; Gunnar Aune, inspirational, and Jacob Brown, most valuable teammate.

Brandon Lustig received the coaches award, and Caden Brown and Jacob Brown received the team's scholastic award. Caden Brown won the award three times in his high school career.

Junior varsity awards went to JD Peterson, most improved; Damian Demler, inspirational and most valuable teammate, and Wyatt Bodey, scout team player of the year.

The scout team player for the year was selected by varsity team members who prepared for each week's game with matchups against the scout team.

Team captain recognition went to Blake Holman, Gunnar Aune, Nick Klaveano and Jacob Brown.

Gage Aune and Caleb Lustig were credited for their contribution to the team as ball boys.

The eight seniors on the team this year were Blake Holman, Nick Klaveano, Gunnar Aune, Matt Hockett, Gavin Hammer, Caden Brown, Jacob Hahn and Brandon Lustig.