Eagles Fight to the Finish, Fall One Point Short in Season Opener

Friday night at Dennen Field reminded everyone why high school football captures the heart of a community. The Colby Eagles kicked off their 2025 campaign in dramatic fashion against the Ulysses Tigers, a contest packed with big plays, emotional swings, and a finish that had fans holding their breath until the final seconds.

When the dust settled, Colby came up just short in a 47-46 loss. The result stung, but the game revealed the Eagles’ resilience, their offensive firepower, and the promise of a season still wide open.

The opening minutes foreshadowed the fireworks to come. After both teams exchanged turnovers on downs, Ulysses drew first blood with a short rushing score. The Eagles quickly responded, as quarterback Maxson Smiley connected with Sean Wederski for an 11-yard touchdown. Moments later, Ulysses struck deep on a 45-yard pass, only to see Colby answer immediately when senior Cody Wright electrified the home crowd with an 80-yard kickoff return to the end zone. That sequence lit up the stadium and set the tone for a high-scoring battle.

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By halftime, Colby had weathered penalties, miscues, and defensive lapses, yet still led 30-27. The edge came courtesy of a safety forced by McCager Wright and a 46-yard touchdown strike from Smiley to Gage Krohn. The scoreboard showed a narrow lead, but Colby fans sensed momentum was fragile.

The third quarter proved both thrilling and heartbreaking. Ulysses capitalized on an early interception to reclaim the lead, then added another score off a muffed punt to go ahead by 11. Just when it seemed the Tigers might pull away, Smiley and senior receiver Nathan Cates turned the tide. First came a 65-yard bomb down the sideline. On the very next possession, Cates hauled in a 23-yard touchdown in traffic, putting Colby back on top 46-41. The roar of the home crowd echoed across Dennen Field as the Eagles reclaimed belief.

But Ulysses had an answer of their own. A deep corner route slipped through Colby’s coverage for another Tiger touchdown, leaving the Eagles trailing by a single point late in the third. Despite a final push on the ground in the fourth quarter, Colby’s drives stalled, and Ulysses managed to hold on for its first victory in over a year.

Smiley led the offensive showcase, throwing for 274 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Cates (87 yards, 2 TDs), Krohn (75 yards, 1 TD), and Wederski (37 yards, 1 TD) all found the end zone, while Wright contributed 74 receiving yards and the unforgettable kickoff return. On the ground, Talon Wark powered his way to 68 tough yards.

Defensively, Colby fought to contain Ulysses’ passing attack. Wark anchored the unit with 11 tackles, while McCager Wright tallied two sacks and eight tackles. Bryndon Powell added eight stops, and Tage Sullivan chipped in a sack.

Afterward, Head Coach Ryan Mosier pointed to both the excitement and the lessons of the opener. “Our ability to run the ball allowed us to maintain momentum and open passing lanes throughout the game,” Mosier said. “There were a lot of positives to take away, but we need to clean up things we can control like penalties, tackling, and mental mistakes.”

For the players and the hometown crowd, the narrow loss was a reminder that football can be cruel, but also exhilarating. The Eagles may not have walked away with a win, but they showed the fight, speed, and firepower that can carry them through the weeks ahead.

This Friday offers another chance—and Colby fans will no doubt be ready to pack the stands again, eager to see their Eagles soar.