Hornets stalled in CWC match up against L/G

Touchdowns in each quarter and a lockdown defense pushed Loyal/Greenwood past Colby when the two football squads went head-to-head last Friday evening. There wasn’t much room to operate for the Hornets as the hosting co-op held them to just 126 yards of total offense and a single score in a 32-6 final.

It was a long evening for the visiting Colby squad. Outside of a big play from quarterback Luke Hannula in the second quarter, Loyal/Greenwood’s defense was stifling. The Hornets picked up just three first downs and, not including Hannula’s long run, averaged just 1.3 yards per carry. The difficulties extended to the passing game, where they completed just one pass for six yards.

While the Hornets were able to hold the Loyal/Greenwood air attack in check, giving up no yards on two completions in seven attempts, the co-op got enough production from their ground game to pull away. Opposing quarterback Jake Lindner carried Loyal/Greenwood by racking up 139 of the co-op’s 272 rushing yards and scoring three of their four touchdowns. The home team finished with 13 first downs and averaged 8.5 yards per carry.

After a pair of three-and-outs opened the contest following a weather delay, Loyal/Greenwood was able to take advantage of a fumble on Colby’s second possession, quickly jumping out to an 8-0 lead. After another quick punt, the Hornets were able to retake possession after Oliver Steen recovered a fumble by the home team at midfield. Unlike their foes, however, Colby was not able to take advantage of the turnover and instead turned the ball over on downs.

Still, the defense held and on their next possession, and an electrifying play from Hannula gave the Hornets a boost.

Down 8-0 after the first quarter, the Colby quarterback broke away from the pack on a lengthy touchdown run early in the second. Facing a second and long, the Hornets line opened up a hole for Hannula, who rushed through to get past most of the Loyal/Greenwood defense. A cutback across the field allowed him to avoid the final two defenders and find the end zone for the 77-yard scoring run. Although the Hornets could not tie the game, failing on their two-point conversion, the touchdown looked like it might give the offense a spark in what had largely been a defensive affair up until that point.

Unfortunately for Colby, the touchdown was not a sign of things to come. The Hornets were instead held scoreless for the next two and half quarters. Loyal/Greenwood quickly answered Colby’s touchdown with one of their own to enter halftime up 16-6 and then took a three-score lead with a quick touchdown from Lindner to start the second half. A big kick return for Hannula put the Hornets well within Loyal/Greenwood territory, but after a first down to get into the red zone, they could only go backwards and turned the ball over on downs.

Lindner’s third score of the game came in the fourth quarter and delivered a dagger to put Loyal/Greenwood up 32-6.

The Hornets defense held its own at times, forcing three punts in the first half and ending six Loyal/Greenwood drives without points. However, short drives for Colby continuously put pressure on the defense to come through, an order that proved too difficult to meet.

Key Moment

Following Hannula’s touchdown, two big runs for Lindner and Loyal/Greenwood’s Jerome Buchanan sparked an immediate response for the home team. Driving deep into Colby territory, Colton Sandelier’s three-yard touchdown and a subsequent two-point conversion not only provided an immediate response to the Hornets’ touchdown, but also put them up by two scores. Any momentum gained by Colby on Hannula’s big run quickly shifted back to the home team, who seemed to hold on to it for the rest of the contest.

Statistics

Hannula led the team with 95 yards on 21 carries. Chase Heeg was Colby’s second leading rusher with four carries for 16 yards. Brennan Geiger had the only reception for the Hornets for six yards as Hannula finished the game 1-for-4 passing.

What’s Next?

Colby will look to break its three game losing streak this Friday, September 19, when they invite the Marathon Red Raiders into town for another conference matchup. The Red Raiders are also 1-3 this season and in the midst of a three game losing streak. In their most recent contest, Marathon struggled to keep up with Amherst, falling 44-6 to the Falcons. Marathon’s offense largely flows through senior quarterback True Thurs, who has 512 yards passing and three touchdowns while being second on the team in rushing with 120 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Garrett Bracewell is Thurs’s favorite target, collecting 20 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns and senior back Javier Pintor is the leading rusher with 172 yards and two touchdowns. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. for the matchup between the two conference rivals looking to right the ship.