Short-Handed Eagles Keep Fighting at Ulysses

ULYSSES — A short-handed Colby High School football team kept competing through a difficult road game Friday, Oct. 16, scoring twice in a 62-12 loss to Ulysses.

The Eagles entered the game with nine players unavailable and faced a Ulysses offense capable of producing points in a hurry. Even with a limited roster, Colby put together several sustained possessions and continued attacking until the final snap.

Colby’s opening drive offered an early encouraging sign. Sean Wederski carried three times, Neale Morrison converted fourth-and-1 with a quarterback run, and Morrison found Nathan Cates for a 12-yard completion that moved the Eagles into Ulysses territory. Colby reached the Tigers’ 29-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

Ulysses scored on each of its first three possessions, using touchdown runs of 14, 59 and 6 yards to build a 21-0 lead. Colby answered with another promising march late in the first quarter when Morrison connected with Jensen Barnet for 35 yards. Morrison then powered through the middle for nine more yards, moving the Eagles to the Ulysses 14 before a fumble ended the drive.

The Tigers extended their lead in the second quarter, but the Eagles continued to create opportunities. Morrison ran for first downs, while Wederski, Ethan Reinert, Julian Salcido and Cates all contributed to the offense.

Colby broke through late in the first half. Morrison completed an eight-yard pass to Cates and moved the chains with a short run. A 29-yard completion to Cates then carried the Eagles deep into Ulysses territory. After Salcido made another reception and drew a late-hit penalty, Morrison found Cates for an 11-yard touchdown with 53.2 seconds remaining.

The scoring drive showed what Colby could do when it protected the football and stayed on schedule. Ulysses answered with a touchdown on the final play of the half, sending the teams to the locker room with the Tigers ahead 48-6.

Colby opened the second half with another big connection. Morrison recovered a difficult snap, escaped the pocket and completed a 25-yard pass to Barnet. The Eagles’ defense then delivered one of its strongest series of the game, forcing Ulysses into its first punt.

Ulysses added one touchdown in the third quarter and another early in the fourth. Colby, however, continued looking for ways to move the football. Wederski broke a 21-yard run into Ulysses territory during the third quarter and later added a 14-yard gain on the Eagles’ final possession.

That closing drive became Colby’s best sequence of the second half. Morrison converted fourth-and-2 with a 12-yard run before Reinert took a pitch and threw downfield to Cates for a 46-yard gain. Wederski’s 14-yard run moved the ball to the Ulysses 4.

With only seconds remaining, Colby used its final timeout and returned to the field for one more play. Morrison completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Salcido as time expired, allowing the Eagles to finish the night in the end zone.

The final score reflected Ulysses’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and create explosive plays, but it did not erase Colby’s effort. The Eagles produced two long touchdown drives, converted multiple fourth downs and kept playing aggressively despite their depleted lineup and a large deficit.

Cates finished both scoring drives with key contributions, Barnet supplied two long receptions, Wederski remained productive on the ground and Salcido’s touchdown gave Colby a positive final moment. For a team navigating injuries and a demanding portion of its schedule, the Eagles’ willingness to compete through the last play was an encouraging takeaway.