Placer High frosh running back Casey Sabins (45) tries to pull away from a Colfax tackler in Thursday's Pioneer Valley League football game played in Colfax. The Falcons notched a 28-7 win to improve to 4-1 in PVL action and 6-2 overall. obfoto.com

Nov. 7, 2008

Colfax's Big 2nd Half Too Much For Hillmen

A dominating second half performance paid off handsomely for the Colfax High frosh football team Thursday night.

Battling visiting Placer to a 7-7 standoff through halftime at Marson Stadium in Colfax, the Falcons were ignited by a 45-yard pass interception return for a touchdown by Nolan Karbowski early in the second half and never looked back on their way to a 28-7 win over the Hillmen.

With the win, the Falcons move their overall season record to 6-2 and upped their PVL slate to 4-1, taking over sole possession of  second place in the PVL.

“The kids showed up ready to play,” said Colfax co-coach Mondo Alonzo. “Placer is a tough, physical team but I thought we hit right with them the whole night.”

Placer, meanwhile, slipped to 3-2 in the PVL and 4-5 overall. The Hillmen end their season next Thursday by hosting league-leading Whitney while Colfax plays at Lincoln, a 14-12 loser to Bear River last night.

Colfax, giving up a decided size advantage to the visitors, out-gained the Hillmen, 259-161 in total yards and also won the turnover battle by a 3-0 count with Shawn Rawlins and David Mowbray also contributing fumble recoveries.

The Falcons started the scoring just three plays into the contest when the hosts drove 65 yards in three plays to draw first blood has Hunter Owens 36-yard run and Austin Young’s ensuing extra point kick gave Colfax a 7-0 lead before fans were able to get settled into their seats.

Placer, with the three-pronged running attack of Johnny Foley, Casey Sabins and Hayden Goodwin leading the way, tried to answer Colfax’s opening salvo by using a time consuming march but the drive stalled and the Hillmen came up empty when Goodwin’s 22-yard field goal try missed right.

Colfax picked up a pair of first downs on its next possession but Placer, with good defensive plays from Joe Magino, David Daniel, Tanner Jay and Lou Esway, stiffened and forced a Falcons punt.

Starting from their own 17-yard line, the Hillmen then strung together a 17-play, 83-yard scoring march that quarterback Jacob Callahan capped when he scored on a bootleg from two yards away on a fourth down and goal-to-go situation.

Goodwin’s extra point boot then tied the game 7-7 with just 1:03 to play in the first half.

The Placer scoring drive was highlighted by the running of Foley, Sabins and Jordan Ralls along with a big 10-yard pass pickup from Callahan to Alec Burnett. Colfax was also hit with a costly pass interference call on a fourth down play that gave Placer a first down at the Falcons’ 19-yard line.

Colfax kicked to the Hillmen to start the second half and on a third and nine situation, Karbowski stepped in front of a Placer pass in the flat and never broke stride in returning it 45 yards for the score that gave Colfax a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Placer then mishandled Colfax’s ensuing kickoff and Rawlins recovered for the Falcons but after the hosts couldn’t move, Young hit a fine punt that  pinned the Hillmen in at their own six-yard line.

The Hillmen moved out to the 30-yard line but a penalty and two losses forced a Placer punt that went out of bounds at the Colfax 46 leaving the Falcons with good field position.

The Falcons then pieced together a nine-play 54-yard touchdown drive with Owens doing the honors on a five-yard run with 9:07 to play that made the score 21-7.

Colfax’s key play in the scoring effort was a big 15-yard pass from Young to Owens on a fourth down and 11 yards to go situation that gave the Falcons a first down at the Hillmen 10.

Placer fumbled on its next possession at their own 37 with Mowbray recovering for the Falcons. Paced by a jaunt of 22-yards by Owens, the Falcons upped the count to 28-7 with Karbowski scooting in from five yards away with 6:22 to play.

Owens led Colfax in rushing with 112 yards on 14 carries while Rawlins added 27 on five packs and Karbowski 23 on seven trips.

Through the air, Young was 5 for 10 for 82 yards.

For Placer, Foley gained 71 yards on 17 carries while Sabins followed with 44 yards on 11 packs. Callahan was 4 of 13 in the air of 39 yards.

Playing well on the Falcons’ offensive line were Brett Fowler, Adam Etcheverry and Cory Rodgers while Zac Coffman, Roger Lillie and Sam Quinlan had strong defensive games.

Placer’s offensive line of  Tanner Anderson, Ralph Grandos, Alex Timewell, Thomas Belongie, Mike Stangland and Burnett also had a strong showing.

Placer  0  7  0  0  - 7

Colfax 7  0  7 14 – 28

Col – Owens 36 run (Young kick)

Pla -  Callahan 2 run (Goodwin kick)

Col -  Karbowski 45 interception return (Young kick)

Col – Owens 5 run (Young kick)

Col – Karbowski 6 run (Young kick)

Rushing – Colfax: Owens, 14-112; Rawlins, 5-27; Karbowski, 7-23; Young 1-8; Quinlan, 2-7. Placer: Foley 17-71; Sabins 11-44; Ralls 4-8; Goodwin 4-(-7);  Ralls 4x8; Goodwin 4-(-7); Callahan, 1-2.

Passing – Colfax: Young 10-5-0, 82. Placer: Callahan 13-4-1, 39.

Receiving – Owens 2-36; Saavedra 1-26; Karbowski 1-10; Quinlan 1-10. Placer – Goodwin 2-27; Burnett 2-12.