COLUSA, CA (MPG) – A long JV game combined with homecoming festivities resulted in late start to the varsity football contest between the RedHawks and the Willows Honkers last Friday night at Larry Yeghoian Field when despite a slow start, a strong second half propelled Colusa to a 31-13 victory, its first against Sacramento Valley League competition this season.
With neither team gaining much traction in the first quarter, it appeared as though the hometown crowd might go home disappointed as the Honkers drew first blood midway through the second period, capitalizing on a RedHawk turnover that led to an eight-play scoring drive.
Yet on the ensuing possession, Colusa narrowed the deficit with a 45-yard field goal from kicker Ricardo Hernandez that completed the first half scoring in addition to being one of the longest made for Colusa in quite some time.
Hernandez, who was also perfect on his four PATs, was equally impressive on kickoffs, consistently showing an ability to drive the ball into the end zone which earned the senior praise from Coach Mason Niccum.
“Number one, he is a great kid,” said Niccum. “We knew he had a leg last year, but he has worked really hard in the offseason and it’s definitely paid off. He never misses a day of practice, never misses a lift and I can’t speak more highly of him.”
Nonetheless, coming out after halftime the RedHawks changed the complexion of the game for good when Emi Guzman returned the kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown to give Colusa the lead at 10-7.
Just over a minute later, the RedHawks were back in the end zone, as they recovered a Honker fumble inside the red zone at the 16 and needed one play for Nick Alvarez to scamper in for the touchdown.
From that juncture the rout was on as a frustrated Willows squad was assessed 12 second half penalties including six personal fouls.
Using the added yardage to its benefit, Colusa extended the advantage to 24-7 near the end of the third quarter when quarterback Carson Cain threaded the needle to find Asa Selover in the end zone from 22 yards away.
In the final period, Cain scored on a keeper from two yards out, before Kayden Burtleson capped the scoring with a three-yard plunge.
In the aftermath of the game, Niccum was pleased with his team’s defensive effort and additionally liked the way his offense adjusted in the second half saying, “I thought defensively we played well throughout, but we had to block things differently on offense because they gave us a different look. As a result, we were able to run the ball more effectively. Our guys just kept hammering away.”
Alvarez shouldered the load carrying 18 times for 109 yards, Cain completed nine of 12 passes for 87 yards and Selover caught two balls for 42 yards.
Burtleson led the defensive effort with seven tackles, while Haiden Parnell chipped in with four.
Although the win made for a happy homecoming, the RedHawks (3-4, 1-3) face a significant challenge this week when they travel to Trowbridge to square-off against unbeaten East Nicolaus on Friday night.