Colfax roars past Asotin in hunt for title

Colfax roared for 25 unanswered points in the second half Friday on their home grid to defeat Asotin and remain on top of the NE-South race. The Bulldogs' 39-7 win ended a string of Panther grid decisions which seemed to serve as derailments at the end of Colfax football seasons.

Coach Mike Morgan noted the Bulldogs again went into an early recovery mode which surfaced the prior week when they stopped Liberty.

Asotin had a strong drive on their way to their first score, but after that the Bulldogs dug in and the Panthers had trouble moving the ball.

Morgan made a decision early to give the ball the Gavin Hammer who finished with 136 yards in 13 carries. Hammer got the call because Jacob Brown, who had two prior 200-yard games, figured to be the number-one stop assignment for the Asotin defense.

Brown later collected his carries and finished with a 16-95 night.

Colfax defense also put eight sacks on Panther QB Ethan Fugate. Anthony Becker had two of the drops, and Jacob Hahn had two.

Morgan noted Colfax defensive backs applied quick coverage on would-be Asotin receivers, and that slowed down Fugate's release time enough to allow the linemen to get to him.

Colfax blockers also put a mark on Dylan Landrus and Brayden Barnes, two.

Asotin linebackers, who each had 44 tackles to their credit going into Friday's game at Colfax.

Junior QB Layne Gingerich finished with a 9 for 12 passing night for 101 yards.

Asotin booked a brief 7-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, but Colfax added the lone TD in the next quarter and took a 14-7 lead at the break.

The Bulldogs scored two TDs in each of the last two quarters for the 39-7 finish.

Colfax seniors, who have never defeated Asotin, had a special reason to celebrate the win, the first over Asotin since the Panthers joined the NE lineup.

Asotin last year defeated Colfax in the south side round, and that sent Colfax up against Chewelah in the crossover.

In the previous two season, Asotin topped Colfax once in regular league play and again at the state qualifier round to also shut down Colfax short of a state playoff entry.

Colfax now stands at 3-0 in NE-South play and could lock a top slot with a win at Reardan Friday.

A 4-0 run on the south side would put them up against the number four team from the north side in this year's crossover. Kettle is now in the number four slot with Northwest Christian in the number three slot.

Reardan figures to be Reardan with a power line and a yard grinding offense out of the Y formation.

Colfax defense will be assigned to slow down or stop the Indians' ground attack and let the offense get to work

Colfax 39-Asotin 7: 6/7 8/0 12/0 13/0:

Colfax stats: 45 plays for 361 yards with 34 for 260 yards rushing, and 9 for 12 passing for 101 yards, 9 penalties for 70 yards, 1 fumble-one lost, 16 first downs with 12 rushing, 3 passing 1 on penalty; 19:33 time of possession. Rushing: Gavin Hammer, 13 for 136 yards; Jacob Brown 16 for 95 yards, Layne Gingerich 3-22 yards. Receiving: Matt Hockett 2-41; Trentin Ensley 1-25, Nick Klaveano 3-16; Brown 2-13; Hammer 1-4; Solo tackles; Brown 5, Anthony Becker 4, Braeden Rogers 3, Mason Gilchrist 3, Jacob Hahn 3, Garrett Dingman 2.

Asotin stats: 55 plays for 162 yard, 5 for 13 passing for 57 yards; 42 rushing for 105 yards; 3 penalties for 20 yards, 1 fumble; 28:27 time of possession. Rushing: Dylan Landrus 11 for 77 yards; Payton High 15- 22; Zach Thummel 5-15, Receiving: Joe Bailey 2 for 40; Landrus 2-14. Tackles: Jonah Goeckner 4, Landrus 4, Bailey 3, Gilmore 3, Mason Hurlbert 3, Braydon Barnes 3, Fugate 2 .