Bulldogs battle at Homecoming game

COLFAX - Kicking off homecoming weekend for the Colfax Bulldogs was their third-straight home game of the season, with the Liberty (Spangle) Lancers the newest opponent for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs would put up 14 points in the first half, and the Lancers put up 15. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs neither team scored in the second half, and the Bulldogs fell to 0-3 on the season after the one point heartbreaking loss Friday, Sept. 15.

The Bulldogs were not without chances in the game to win. In the fourth quarter the Bulldogs got in the redzone twice, both times turning the ball over. One was due to a turnover on downs, the other a fumble from JP Wigen, recovered by the Lancers.

"We made far too many mistakes in order to win that ballgame," Colfax head coach Mike Morgan said post game.

The game started with Colfax getting the ball first. Their first drive would be a quick three and out. The Bulldogs would get a good defensive stop on third down against the Lancers, forcing them into a tough fourth down play, giving the ball back to Colfax after the turnover on downs.

The first play of the ensuing Bulldogs drive was a pick-six thrown by Colfax quarterback Seth Lustig. The Lancers would kick the extra point, and lead 7-0 early. After a quick second half of the quarter, the Bulldogs start the second quarter with the ball, trailing by a touchdown.

The first drive for Colfax in the second quarter was all about Ryker Reed. He had a huge run to put the Bulldogs on the 12 yard line.

After a pass interference called on Wigen, he would then score the next play for the Bulldogs. Colfax would convert the two-point conversion, and lead 8-7.

With eight minutes left in the half, the Lancers would make quick work of their next possession, scoring easily and converting their own two-point to regain the 15-8 lead.

After Colfax took over with two minutes remaining in the second quarter, John Largent would break off a 64 yard run for a touchdown to cut the lead to one. The Bulldogs would not convert after, and trail 15-14 at halftime.

Coming out of the homecoming rally and photo from the Bulldogs, they started the second half on the defensive end. After a quick drive from the Lancers, Colfax would move the ball all the way to the four yard line. They would then get stopped, and come up short, turning the ball over to the Lancers.

"We just didn't finish," Morgan said.

In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs moved the ball to the 10 yard line, within striking distance of taking the late lead in the game. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Wigen would fumble on the play after making a nice catch. The Lancers would recover the ball after a quick scrum to give the ball to the Lancers.

Liberty would punt away to the Bulldogs with four minutes left in the game.

Reed would have another strong run, but had the play called back for a holding penalty.

After a roughing the passer penalty the Bulldogs made it to the 12 yard line. On 4th and 13 the Bulldogs would throw an incomplete pass as Lustig was hit hard as he threw the ball, turning the ball over to the Lancers with one minute left.

Liberty would take two knees, and win the game 15-14.

"We're gonna have to play well... They're going to be tough on us," Morgan said in regards to their next game.

In the game, Colfax had 17 first downs, compared to the seven from Liberty.

Colfax had 196 rushing yards and 173 passing yards, where as the Lancers had 78 rushing yards and 83 passing yards.

Largent had 105 rushing yards for the Bulldogs, and Reed had 80. Wigen had eight receptions for 101 yards for the Bulldogs.

The next time the Bulldogs take the field will be their first away game of the season. The game will be in Reardan, against the Screaming Eagles, with kick off set for 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, due to a lack of officials across Whitman County.