Hornets bring Eagles down to earth
Through the first three games of the season the Colby Hornets gridiron gang have out-scored opponents 127-7. Their latest victory, a 52-7 decision over Southern Door, was their best outing yet.
Colby took the long bus drive to Brussels to play the Southern Door Eagles (21) and their potent passing game. It was a perfect night for football, and Colby head coach Jim Hagen said the long ride only made his players more eager to play.
“The rain held off, and it was an absolutely beautiful night for football in Brussels,” Hagen replied. “You always wonder how a team will start after riding on a bus for 2-1/2 hours, but our players took the field ready to go.”
It didn’t take long for Colby’s offense to get rolling, and once it did, there was no stopping the Hornets.
Colby’s first touchdown came courtesy of senior tailback Mason Voss. Voss pounded his way into the endzone from five yards out with 8:22 to go in the first. Southern Door stopped the two-point conversion, but stops would be few and far between for the host team.
Colby scored again thanks to Brent Jeske. The Hornets senior signal caller made it 14-0 with 1:46 remaining in the first on a one yard QB keeper and the two point conversion.
Jeske then connected with junior Caden Healy with three seconds left in the first for a 44-yard catch and score. Voss’s two point conversion made it a 22-0.
“I felt our offense clicked in all areas and we were finally able to hit on some big plays for some long yardages,” Hagen stated. “We have the playmakers to do that, and we showed our explosiveness.”
Southern Door tried to make headway on offense with its ground game, handing the ball off to seven different runners, but Colby limited the Eagles to 125 rushing yards, with only one Eagle carrying the ball for more than 50-yards.
Colby’s own ground game was just getting started, and in the second half the Hornets scored three more times. The first touchdown was on the defensive side of things as Voss intercepted Southern Door’s Jack Peterson and brought it back 33-yards to make it 28-0.
The Eagles stopped the two point conversion, but continued to struggle to move the ball downfield as Colby allowed just 134 yards of total offense.
“Defensively, we went into the game worried about their pass game and we limited them to only 14 yards passing,’ Hagen noted. “Although, they did hurt us on the run a few times, which has been uncharacteristic of this defense up to this point.”
Brent Jeske snapped off the longest play from scrimmage of the young season a few minutes later, breaking tackles as he flew down the field for a 70-yard touchdown with 7:23 before halftime.
The two point conversion was stopped, but Colby’s lead swelled to 34-0. Colby wasn’t quite done for the night, with Voss scoring the third of his four touchdowns exactly four minutes later.
Voss plunged into the endzone with a 21-yard carry that made it 40-0 with 3:23 remaining in the second quarter.
“The offensive line did a great job opening some nice holes, and our backs did a nice job of cutting in space and making defenders miss,” Hagen stated. “Mason Voss had a big night scoring three touchdowns on offense and then taking an interception to the house.”
Colby’s defense continued to frustrate and swarm the Eagles, and with a running clock, the first half came to a quick close. The Hornets defense led to another quick strike at the start of the second half when they forced a fumble and recovered the ball on the Eagles 27yard line. Voss took the handoff from Jeske and sprinted away from a group of Southern Door defenders for his fourth touchdown of the night.
The two-point conversion was stopped, but with 11:09 to play, Colby was up 46-0. The Hornets scored once more late in the third with a Braxton Meyer run from one yard out. The two point conversion was no good, and Colby led 52-0.
The Eagles scored with 8:59 remaining off a 10-yard reception. The extra point made it 52-7, and as the seconds ticked away, Colby remains perfect in 2021.
Mason Voss and Brent Jeske led the way on offense. Voss toted the ball for 96-yards off ten carries, and Jeske had 83-yards on just seven carries. Jeske had his best passing game of the year, throwing for 136 yards and one TD, completing three of five passing attempts.
Brody Decker had one reception for 58-yards. Healy added another for 44-yards and Brandon Voelker had one recption for 34-yards. Colby will see a more difficult opponent this week when they host the Edgar Wildcats.
“This week coming up will be a great test for us with Edgar coming to town for our Homecoming game,” Hagen said. “It will be a great Marawood Conference match-up, and I hope we get a big crowd to help support our team.”
ELECTRIFYING PLAYMAKER -Caden Healy dives forward and extends the ball to break the plane for a touchdown during the Hornets game with Spencer/Columbus Catholic. Healy scored on a 44-yard catch and run against the Eagles last Friday.STAFF PHOTOS/ROSS PATTERMANN
GREAT HANDS -Brandon Voelker hauls in a reception during Colby’s game with the Rockets on Aug. 28. Voelker had 34 receiving yards against Southern Door last Friday.
