Colby Rallies Late but Falls to Hugoton

HUGOTON - A late rally gave Colby a chance to steal a road victory Friday night, but the Eagles could not complete the comeback in a 21-16 loss to Hugoton.

Colby fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Great West Activities Conference. The Eagles trailed 21-0 entering the fourth quarter before scoring twice in the final eight minutes to make things interesting.

The Eagles struggled to create offensive momentum early, turning the ball over on downs twice in the first quarter. Colby’s first possession ended when Neale Morrison was sacked for an 11-yard loss on fourth-and-1 at the Eagles’ 29-yard line.

Hugoton needed only two plays to capitalize, with Isai Guardado scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead.

Colby put together another promising drive later in the quarter, reaching the Hugoton 24-yard line before a Jack Nordquist fumble ended the possession. Hugoton fumbled on the next play, but Nordquist fumbled again on Colby’s first play, giving the ball back to the Eagles.

Hugoton added to its lead in the second quarter after backup quarterback Isaai Betance entered the game. Betance, making his first career pass attempt, was intercepted by Sean Wederski, but the Eagles could not take advantage.

Betance settled in from there, connecting with Miguel Fajardo for a 39-yard completion before finding Fajardo for an 8-yard touchdown on fourth down. Another Betance-to-Fajardo touchdown, this one from 29 yards, extended Hugoton’s lead to 21-0.

Hugoton threw another interception late in the first half, with Nathan Cates coming up with the pick, but Colby again failed to turn the turnover into points.

The Eagles’ offense struggled throughout the third quarter, finishing with minus-20 yards of offense. Colby’s defense did keep Hugoton off the scoreboard, including a fourth-down stop at the Colby 45-yard line.

Colby finally broke through in the fourth quarter.

After the Eagles drove 69 yards from their own 2-yard line, they were stopped on fourth-and-2 at the Hugoton 31. Colby got another opportunity when Hugoton fumbled on the following play.

Two plays later, Morrison found Gage Krohn for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Krohn broke a tackle on his way to the end zone, cutting the deficit to 21-8.

After another Hugoton possession ended with a punt, Colby quickly struck again. Morrison connected with Cates on a 6-yard touchdown pass, and Morrison added the two-point conversion on a run to make it 21-16 with 2:24 remaining.

Colby forced another Hugoton punt and got the ball back with 43 seconds left. The Eagles could not finish the comeback, turning the ball over on downs after four straight incomplete passes.

Morrison finished 10 of 23 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Julian Salcido had four catches for 72 yards, while Krohn carried nine times for 24 yards and added the 30-yard touchdown reception.

Colby finished with 192 total yards, including 156 through the air. Hugoton had 237 total yards, led by Betance, who completed 8 of 14 passes for 99 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Fajardo caught four passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Colby will return home next Friday to host No. 4-ranked Holcomb at Dennen Field.