The Colome Cowboys defeated the Langford Area Lions 42-23 in the 9B state football championship on Thursday evening from the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, SD.
Both defenses started the game strong, stalling the opposing offenses. However, after Colome went three and out on offense, a low, skipping snap on the punt led to a safety. This gave Langford an early 2-0 lead, plus the ball back.
The Lions capitalized next on offense with Chance Olson finding Peter Fazekas for a 28-yard touchdown. A missed extra point kept this a one-possession game at the 7:24 mark of the first quarter with a score of 8-0.
Langford had an opportunity to extend the lead on their next offensive possession, but Colome intercepted an Olson pass in the end zone.
End of 1st Quarter: Langford Area 8 Colome 0
With seven minutes to play in the half, Colome got on the board after a one-yard plunge by Will Cahoy. The two-point conversion was good tying the game 8-8.
Late in the second quarter, Colome took the lead when Layton Thieman connected with Kolton Salonen for a 20-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good, but with 1:14 to play in the half, the Cowboys led Langford Area 14-8.
Halftime: Colome 14 Langford Area 8
The Cowboys extended the lead on their first drive of the second half when Thieman threw a pass to Jackson Kinzer for a 15-yard score.
Langford answered right back with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Olson to Harley Gibbs. And at the 7:30 mark in the third quarter, Colome led by just one possession – 22-16.
The Lions took a 23-22 lead with 2:32 left in the third quarter, courtesy of a 38-yard pick-six return by Ryan Punt.
End of 3rd Quarter: Langford Area 23 Colome 22
Kinzer gave the Cowboys back the lead, 30-23, when he snagged an 11-yard pass from Thieman with 9:56 to play in the game.
At the 4:20 mark in the fourth quarter, Cohoy ran in a one-yard touchdown, giving Colome a 36-23 lead over Langford.
The Cowboys got the ball back with under a minute to play, and Chase Dufek broke free for a 19-yard touchdown run. This extended Colome’s lead, 43-23, over Langford Area.
Final: Colome 42 Langford Area 23
Layton Thieman of Colome wins the 2016 9B Joe Robbie MVP Award. He had 189-yards passing and three passing touchdowns in the game.
