Anytime the Colusa RedHawks face the Durham Trojans, a physical battle ensues. Last Friday night was no exception, as the Trojans wore down the visiting RedHawks, besting them by a score of 48-21.
According to head coach Mikey Badaluco, the difference in the game was Colusa giving up the big play.
“We played well enough at times and then would give up a big chunk play,” said Badaluco, whose team is now 5-2 overall, but 1-2 in the Sacramento Valley League. “On both sides of the ball, we didn’t make plays we normally make. Making matters worse for the RedHawks was the fact that they were running out of available bodies, and thus played out of position most of the second half.”
Colusa was able to get on the board in the first quarter, after Nick Price caught a 15-yard pass from Emanuel Frias, then took it 22 yards to the end zone, although the RedHawks found themselves behind 14-7.
It was the same combination that produced the RedHawks’ second score, as this time Frias hit Price from 14 yards away for the touchdown to make the score 34-14 at intermission.
In the third period, Colusa got its final points of the game when Hayden McCarty made good on a seven-yard pass from Frias.
Colusa has its work cut out for itself this Friday night at home, when they take on SVL leader Paradise, a team that averages 330 yards per game on the ground and has outscored its opponents 181-90. ■
