Colfax holds off DeSales
Irish were defending champs
KENNEWICK – At first, Colfax’s fumbled handoff on fourth-and-1 at the DeSales 14-yard line looked like the break the Fighting Irish needed.
But instead, Bulldogs quarterback Alex Teade used it to break DeSales’ back.
The 6-foot sophomore recovered his botched handoff to fullback Ethan Smith with 9 minutes left in the game and scampered around left end for a touchdown to cap Colfax’s 14-6 win over the Irish in the State 2B quarterfinals Friday at Lampson Stadium.
The Bulldogs (11-0) will advance to the semifinals to play Asotin (11-1), a 41-20 winner over White Swan.
“I’d like to tell you I drew it up that way. The old fumble-rooskie,” Colfax coach Mike Morgan said.
DeSales, the defending state champion, held the Bulldogs’ triple option scoreless in the first half and managed to grab a 6-0 lead on its final offensive play of the half.
Irish quarterback Pat Richard dropped back with 23 seconds remaining in the second quarter and connected with Bryce Hayunga in stride on a post route.
Hayunga was well-covered but still managed to haul in the pass over his shoulder and run in for the score.
“Both defenses played very hard,” Irish coach Mike Spiess said. “They did a good job stopping our run. If we could have executed our passing game better, I like our chances.”
Colfax tailback Joe Cammack rushed for just 39 yards on seven attempts in the first half but picked up steam after halftime. The 5-10 senior burst off right tackle on the Bulldogs’ second play from scrimmage just 2:29 into the third quarter and scored on a 49-yard run to give Colfax a 7-6 lead.
Cammack finished with 135 yards on 16 attempts.
“Tyler McNannay did a fantastic job getting us field position,” Morgan said after the sophomore punter pinned DeSales inside its 5-yard line three times, including one on the 1-foot line after Colfax’s first drive.
Colfax’s second touchdown came after McNannay had pinned the Irish on their 5. After a three-and-out by DeSales, Teade drove his team down to the Irish 14 to set up the winning score.