Bulldogs bested by LRS Broncos strong first quarter

COLFAX - The Colfax Bulldogs started their 2023 football season against the number three ranked team in state, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos.

The Broncos were all over the Bulldogs after a shaky start, putting up all 49 of their points in the first half.

"This has been their four year build up, and they proved that they were the number three team in the state tonight," head coach Mike Morgan said post game.

Morgan praised his opponents for playing a clean, respectful game, and giving the Bulldogs a hard fought match up.

"The thing you certainly take away from this is that our guys never gave up," Morgan said.

The Bulldogs jumped out to the early six to nothing lead thanks to a fumble recovery by the Bulldogs on the opening kick off. JP Wigen would catch a touchdown pass a few plays later to give the Bulldogs the early 6-0 lead.

The Broncos would the quickly answer with a touchdown run of their own and an extra point to lead 7-6.

The next possession for the Bulldogs was not a good one, forcing them to punt away to the Broncos, who only needed two plays to score a 60-yard touchdown run. Wigen would block the extra point to keep the lead at a touchdown.

After a second straight punt from the Bulldogs, the Broncos scored yet another quarterback sneak, scoring a 50 plus yard touchdown to take a commanding lead before the first quarter ended.

Seth Lustig, Colfax quarterback, threw a pass that was intercepted on the Bulldogs next drive, his first of the season. After the interception, the Broncos only needed two plays to score a 70-yard rushing touchdown, leading 27-6 after one quarter.

"This gives us a chance now to go back and look on film with this new team and go, you know, I made a mistake here, this next time against Chewelah I won't," Morgan said.

The Broncos added another 22 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 49-6 lead.

The Bulldogs had the clock against them fort the second half, the running clock made the second half breeze by.

After the first score from the Bulldogs and a final drive with three first downs to end the first half, the Bulldogs had nothing to take away from the game until the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.

After holding the Broncos scoreless in the second half, the Bulldogs would score a touchdown on a 4th and 15 thanks to a touchdown catch caught by Jaxon Wick.

The Bulldogs would give the ball back to the Broncos who ended the game and took home the 49-14 victory.

"If we can just stay positive as a group, not hanging our heads, just be tough, show a lot of character and come back and have a good work week," said Morgan post game about what he said to his team to get them ready for the next game.

The next time the Bulldogs take the field will be Friday, Sept.8, against the Chewelah Cougars. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Colfax high school.