Eagles' promising debut turns into 27-23 loss at Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Colo. — A new season, a new head coach and a new starting quarterback brought renewed expectations for the Colby High School football team.

For more than three quarters Friday night, the Eagles appeared ready to open that new chapter with an impressive road victory.

Colby built a 23-point advantage behind a productive ground game, several defensive takeaways and promising play from junior quarterback Neale Morrison. Holyoke, however, scored 27 unanswered points in the second half and rallied to defeat the Eagles 27-23 on Sept. 4 at Max Bernard Field.

It was the first game for Colby under new head coach Dakota Breuer and Morrison's first start at quarterback.

Morrison carried the ball 20 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a touchdown pass but was intercepted three times. Carter Gordon added 78 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Nathan Cates led the receiving corps with six catches for 119 yards and a score.

The Eagles led 16-0 at halftime and extended the margin to 23-0 early in the third quarter. Holyoke then turned three explosive passing plays and two fourth-quarter interceptions into a dramatic comeback.

Colby's defense provided the first points of the season. With Holyoke backed up near its own goal line late in the opening quarter, Connor Surmeier pursued the quarterback on a scramble. The ball came loose and rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead with 2.9 seconds remaining in the period.

The defensive score helped Colby overcome an uneven opening quarter. Morrison moved the Eagles deep into Holyoke territory on their first possession before the Dragons intercepted a pass near the goal line.

Colby continued to create opportunities through its defense. McCager Wright recovered two Holyoke fumbles in the first half, while Gordon intercepted a pass and returned it into Dragons territory.

Gordon also delivered Colby's first touchdown of the season. Morrison's 23-yard run put the Eagles at the Holyoke 4-yard line, and Gordon powered up the middle on the following snap for the score with 5:12 left in the second quarter. A mishandled snap prevented the extra-point attempt, leaving Colby ahead 8-0.

The Eagles added another touchdown on the final play of the half. Facing third-and-21, Morrison's pass was tipped before Jensen Barnett secured it for a 22-yard gain and a first down. Morrison stopped the clock with 4.9 seconds remaining and then found Cates in the corner of the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown as time expired.

Gordon took a direct snap across the goal line for the two-point conversion, sending Colby into halftime with a 16-0 advantage.

The Eagles carried that momentum into the third quarter. Gordon intercepted Holyoke on the second play of the half, his second pick of the game, and returned the ball to the Dragons' 24. After Gordon gained 10 yards on first down, Morrison kept the ball on a designed run and scored from 14 yards out. The extra point gave Colby a 23-0 lead with 10:06 remaining in the third quarter.

Holyoke's comeback began just over a minute later. Ryan Lee Powell caught a short pass, broke multiple tackles and raced down the sideline to complete a 50-yard touchdown play. The extra point reduced Colby's lead to 23-7 with 8:56 left in the quarter.

The Dragons struck again on the first play of the fourth quarter, completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to Elbin Padilla. Another successful extra point made it 23-14 with 11:52 remaining.

Colby had an opportunity to answer, but a fourth-and-inches quarterback sneak near midfield was stopped short. The Eagles' defense responded with a fourth-down sack to regain possession, and Morrison followed with runs of approximately 5, 5 and 22 yards to move Colby to the Holyoke 23.

The promising drive ended abruptly. On a broken play, Morrison attempted to get the ball to Gordon while under pressure. Hudson Luth intercepted it and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown. The extra point pulled Holyoke within 23-21 with 6:03 remaining.

Colby's next possession also ended in an interception. Padilla collected his second pick of the game and gave the Dragons the ball near the Eagles' 45-yard line.

After an offsides penalty against Colby, Holyoke capitalized immediately. Padilla got behind the secondary and caught a 39-yard touchdown pass, giving the Dragons their first lead of the night, 27-23, with 4:54 remaining. The extra-point attempt was ruled no good.

Gordon gave the Eagles hope with a long run on the ensuing possession, carrying Colby from deep in its territory to approximately the 45-yard line. The drive stalled there, however, and Morrison's fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 2:12 remaining.

Holyoke had a chance to close the game but missed a late field-goal attempt, allowing Colby one final possession with 17.9 seconds left. Morrison completed a pass to move the Eagles near midfield and stopped the clock, but Colby was unable to produce a winning score on the final play.

Kolton Miller led Colby's listed defensive totals with five tackles. Barnett and Jack Nordquist each recorded four tackles. The unit forced four turnovers, with Gordon making two interceptions and Wright recovering two fumbles.

Despite the loss, the Eagles displayed several encouraging signs in Breuer's debut. Morrison surpassed 100 rushing yards and produced touchdowns with both his arm and legs, Gordon contributed on both sides of the ball, and Cates emerged as a dangerous downfield target with a 119-yard receiving performance.

The opener also provided a difficult lesson for a team beginning a new era. Colby committed five turnovers, including two interceptions during Holyoke's decisive fourth-quarter rally, and could not protect a 23-point lead.

Scoring summary

First quarter

Colby — 0:02.9: Holyoke fumble out of the end zone for a safety. Colby 2, Holyoke 0

Second quarter

Colby — 5:12: Carter Gordon 4-yard touchdown run. Extra point unsuccessful. Colby 8, Holyoke 0

Colby — 0:00: Neale Morrison 24-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Cates. Gordon run for two-point conversion. Colby 16, Holyoke 0

Third quarter

Colby — 10:06: Morrison 14-yard touchdown run. Extra point good. Colby 23, Holyoke 0

Holyoke — 8:56: Ryan Lee Powell 50-yard touchdown reception. Extra point good. Colby 23, Holyoke 7

Fourth quarter

Holyoke — 11:52: Elbin Padilla 31-yard touchdown reception. Extra point good. Colby 23, Holyoke 14

Holyoke — 6:03: Hudson Luth 77-yard interception return for a touchdown. Extra point good. Colby 23, Holyoke 21

Holyoke — 4:54: Padilla 39-yard touchdown reception. Extra point unsuccessful. Holyoke 27, Colby 23

Final: Holyoke 27, Colby 23