Redskins hope to bag some Wolves
Making their first playoff appearance in a decade, the Colusa High football team faces some tough obstacles in tonight's Division III championship against the Trinity Wolves in Weaverville.
The Redskins will have plenty of time to discuss strategy on the 156-mile trip north, but weather should not be much of a factor, with the forecast calling for partly cloudy conditions and a low of 36 degrees.
Trinity is the top seed, advancing to the title game with wins over Mt. Shasta (26-16) and Live Oak (33-6). Sixth-seeded Colusa defeated Pierce (31-21) and Durham (28-27). During the regular season against common opponents, the Redskins fell to Live Oak 28-14, while the Wolves bested the Lions 24-20, but Colusa blanked Pierce 21-0 while Trinity lost to the Bears 18-13.
The Wolves hold a huge advantage in the passing game, with Justin Jeangerard throwing for 934 yards on 61 completions during the regular season, including seven TDs. Colusa's Jeremy Hernandez, on the other hand, completed eight passes for 22 yards and two scores. Trinity undoubtedly knows this and realizes that there are two ways to move the ball offensively, and if passing is a non-factor, then they know they can focus on the run.
The Redskins have averaged 270 yards rushing per game despite the opposition knowing they were run-heavy, but Trinity yielded just 210 yards per game on average. Colusa is going to need outstanding line play to win the battle in the trenches, and to open the holes for the brothers Gutierrez and Darren Smith.
The defensive line will be contending with Luke Curran — the Wolves' 6-foot-1, 213-pound running back — who amassed 1,377 yards on 165 carries — along with 5-foot-210, 172-pound fullback Jacob Hymas, who tacked on 638 yards in 86 attempts.
It's about pride, it's about seniors playing their last football game, and for the Redskins' first playoff experience in 10 years, it's about time. And only time will tell.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Craig Purcell is sports editor for Tri-County Newspapers. Contact him at 824-1036 or sports@tcnpress.com.
