STAFF PHOTOS/KEVIN O’BRIEN getting started ….
STAFF PHOTOS/KEVIN O’BRIEN
getting started flexing its muscles.
The Hornets forced a quick three and out, and Colby needed just two plays to find paydirt once more. Brent Jeske took the ball and put Eagle defenders on skates, weaving in and out downfield for a 72-yard scoring run that made it 12-0 with 1:28 left in the first.
“I think the difference in the game was our physical play on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Hagen The Hornets took over at the 50-yard line, and runs from Brent Jeske and Mason Voss carried Colby across into Eagle territory. Colby looked to make it a two score lead again, but Jeske was intercepted on the 13-yard line after trying to connect with Kaden Wiese.
The Hornets defense came up with another stop, and Colby’s offense returned to its punishing ground game, going 41-yards that culminated in a three yard score from Brent Jeske that made it 18-7. Jeske scored one more before the half was through, diving in on a one yard pick up that made it 25-7 at the half.
“I thought our players came out with good focus and intensity, but give Auburndale credit, they played well for most of the game, and kept it a tight score up until just about half-time,” Hagen stated. “In the end, our athleticism and depth were the big keys in the game.”
The Hornets heaped more misery on Auburndale in the second half. Jeske added his fourth TD of the night after he bounded into the endzone from five yards out with 8:59 to play to make it 31-7.
The Eagles passing game led to another score to make it 31-13, but Lucas Karl scored on a great reverse from five yards out to make it 37-13. A PAT by Tucker Brost put the game at 38-13 just before the remarked.
“Our offensive line of Derek Jeske, Tristen Stange, Brayden Boyer, Andrew Jeske and Corey Steen, along with backups Cristo Lopez and Logan Stuttgen, don’t get enough press, but they have done an outstanding job all year long as we average 307 yards rushing per game.”
The Eagles found a spark on offense with their passing attack, and made it a one score game with a 68-yard scoring drive. Weber connected with Willfhart on a 33-yard in the closing moments of the first half, and the Eagles carried that momentum into the second quarter.
Weber found his all-conference tight end Tim Schmitt for a 25-yard pass on the first play of the second quarter, and two plays later Weber found Schmitt again for a 17-yard touchdown that went over the hands of Colby’s secondary to make it a 12-7 game with 10:54 to go before the break.
