Colby Shuts Out Southwestern Heights in Home Opener

COLBY Kan. — One week after letting a 23-point lead slip away in its season opener, the Colby Eagles left little doubt Friday night.

Colby scored three touchdowns of 64 yards or longer and forced multiple turnovers on its way to a 31-0 victory over Southwestern Heights in the Eagles' home opener and homecoming game.

The win gave first-year head coach Dakota Breuer his first victory as Colby's head coach and improved the Eagles to 1-1 on the season. Colby entered the game looking to bounce back after a 27-23 loss at Holyoke, where the Eagles surrendered a 23-0 lead.

Friday's game began as a defensive battle.

Colby turned the ball over on downs on its opening possession after driving 28 yards. Southwestern Heights then moved into the red zone before Colby defensive back Julian Salcido intercepted quarterback Manny Mendoza in the end zone to keep the game scoreless.

Neither team found the end zone in the first quarter.

Southwestern Heights threatened again early in the second quarter, converting a third-and-15 with a 44-yard pass to Orlando Espinoza. The Mustangs eventually turned the ball over on downs, however, giving Colby the opportunity it needed.

The Eagles capitalized two plays later.

Quarterback Neale Morrison hit Nathan Cates on a slant route, and Cates took it 74 yards for the game's first touchdown. The score gave Colby a 7-0 lead.

The Mustangs suffered another setback when Mendoza left the game with an injury and did not return.

Backup Hayes Saucedo entered at quarterback and was intercepted by Cates on his second pass attempt.

Colby again turned the turnover into points.

Morrison connected with Cates on a deep pass over the Southwestern Heights defense for a 64-yard touchdown, extending the Eagles' lead to 13-0 heading into halftime.

The Eagles' defense continued to make plays in the second half.

Southwestern Heights opened the third quarter with a promising drive to the Colby 38-yard line, but a dropped backward screen pass resulted in a fumble recovered by the Eagles.

After Colby's offense was forced to punt, the Eagles struck again on another explosive play. Morrison kept the ball on an option play and raced 70 yards for a touchdown, giving Colby a 19-0 lead.

Cates added another score early in the fourth quarter in an unusual fashion. A Southwestern Heights punt bounced loose, and Cates recovered the ball before sprinting to the end zone for a touchdown and a 25-0 Colby lead.

The Eagles put the finishing touches on the victory with an eight-play scoring drive that helped run down the clock. Morrison found Jadyn Sporing for a 9-yard touchdown, the first career catch and touchdown for Sporing.

Morrison led Colby's offense, completing 6 of 11 passes for 184 yards and three touchdowns while adding 84 rushing yards and another score. Cates caught three passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns, while also recording an interception and a punt return touchdown.

Colby finished with 319 yards of offense and held Southwestern Heights to 255 yards.

The Eagles will look to carry the momentum from their first win into next week's GWAC opener at Dennen Field against Cimarron.