Colby falls to Tigers in first round matchup

By Nathaniel Underwood

The seventh-seeded Colby Hornets had to make a long journey north to face off against Northwestern in the first round of the Division 5 WIAA playoffs. While the Hornets defense was able to keep them in the contest for part of the game, the second-seeded Tigers were eventually able to wear them down. Combined with a lack of production on offense from the Hornets, the game ultimately turned into a blowout as Northwestern bounced Colby from the playoffs 40-6.

There was not much going for the visiting Hornets in their first-round exit. Their rushing attack was held completely in check by a strong front from Northwestern, limiting what Colby could accomplish on the offensive side of the ball. The Hornets managed just 35 yards on 26 carries for an average of 1.3 yards per attempt.

While they found some late success in the passing game, Colby was not much more efficient through the air. They collected just 72 yards passing, barely getting them over 100 yards of total offense for the entire contest.

Meanwhile, the Tigers found their stride in the midgame. After the Colby defense managed to hold them scoreless in the first quarter, Northwestern was able to break through in the second. On a first-and-goal play, Tigers’ quarterback Ethan Harms was able to outleverage the Hornets’ defense on a bootleg touchdown that put the home team on the board.

Colby was unable to respond on their next possession, giving the ball quickly back to a Northwestern offense that had found its footing. The Tigers marched down the field and running back Bryce Ronchi capped off the drive by running in his first of two touchdowns from five-yards out.

The Tigers continued to roll in the beginning of the second half, scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter. Colby had no answers on either side of the ball, surrendering 40 straight points to Northwestern. Quarterback Tayt Smith and running back Brody Viegut finally got the Hornets on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter on a late throw and catch for a touchdown, but the game’s fate had long been decided.

Of the six Hornets to record a rushing attempt in the game, none exceeded 11 yards on the ground over the course of the game. Viegut, Gavin Voss and Dany Nunez all had 11 yards by the end of the game, but only Nunez

See COLBY FOOTBALL/ Page 15 Colby football

Continued from page 14

averaged more than two yards per carry.

Smith completed three of his 10 passes for 72 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Viegut caught two of those passes for 33 yards and a touchdown and Braiden Johnson had the longest play of the evening for the Hornets on a 39 yard reception.

The Hornets will finish the season with a 3-7 record including their playoff loss.