Colome defeated Sully Buttes 48-42 in an overtime thriller on Friday to win the Class 9B state football championship.
The Cowboys got the ball to start the game, and on the second play from scrimmage, quarterback Jackson Kinzer broke free down the sideline for a 49-yard touchdown scamper. The two-point conversion failed, but with only 34-seconds into the game, Colome took an early 6-0 lead.
Sully Buttes then had an opportunity on offense. After a few big plays, the Chargers found themselves threatening to score. Quarterback Nick Wittler took a shot at the end zone, but threw into double coverage it was picked off by Calvin Ringing Shield. The ball was then placed at the one-yard line.
The Cowboys would go three and out, backed up against their own goal line.
Sully Buttes would find success on their next offensive possession when Wittler found running back Morris Hofer for a 23-yard score. The two-point conversion was no good, and with 5:34 to play in the first quarter the game was tied 6-6.
Colome struggled on their ensuing possession as the drive stalled near midfield, which forced the Cowboys to punt. The Chargers would capitalize on 74-yard drive that was capped off with a 8-yard touchdown from Wittler to his tight end Grant Johnson.
End of the first quarter: Sully Buttes 14 Colome 6
With 8:20 to play until halftime, Colome tied it up at 14-14, courtesy of a one-yard touchdown run by Beau Bertram and then a successful two-point conversion.
Sully Buttes retook the lead four minutes later when Wittler found his tight end target Johnson once again, this one from nine-yards out. The two-point conversion was no good, so the score read a 20-14 lead for the Chargers.
At the 52 second mark, late in the second quarter, the Cowboys tied it up on Bertram’s second rushing touchdown of the game – this one from two-yards away.
Halftime: Sully Buttes 20 Colome 20
Sully Buttes opening drive of the second half was halted by a holding penalty. Colome hit gold on their first offensive play from scrimmage when Kinzer found Bertram for a 77-yard arial touchdown. This gave the Cowboys the lead back 26-20 with 10:05 to play in the third quarter.
It was then another three-and-out for Sully Buttes, followed by another scoring drive for Colome. Quarterback Kinzer got the touchdown on a seven-yard keeper. The two-point conversion was good making it a 34-20 game.
With 1:02 to play in the third quarter, Chargers quarterback Wittler found space up the middle for a 15-yard score. And after a successful two-point conversion, the defecit for Sully Buttes shrunk to just six-points.
End of the third quarter: Colome 34 Sully Buttes 28
Colome added an insurance score within the first minute of the fourth quarter. Chase Dufek took it in from the one-yard line. The Cowboys added another two-points with a successful post-touchdown conversion to give Colome a 42-28 lead.
Desperately needing points, Sully Buttes rose to the occasion. Wittler found tight end Cameron Ogle down the middle for a 40-yard score. With a successful two-point conversion, the deficit once again for the Chargers was tightened to just six.
Sully Buttes was able to get their hands on the ball one last time with less than 90-seconds to play deep in their own territory. Needing a prayer, Wittler found Johnson on a desperation heave that went for a 96-yard touchdown. A failed two-point conversion left the game deadlocked at 42-42 with half a minute remaining in regulation.
End of Regulation:
Colome got the ball first in the overtime period, and on the first play Dufek blasted straight ahead for a 10-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed.
Next it was Sully Butte’s turn… The chargers spent their first three plays going nine-yards, making it a fourth down and goal from the one with the state championship on the line. Wittler’s pass on fourth down was intercepted in the end zone by Jaikob Week, sealing the game for the Cowboys.
Final/Overtime: Colome 48 Sully Buttes 42
Joe Robbie: Jackson Kinzer (Colome)
Outstanding Back: Nick Wittler (Sully Buttes)
Outstanding Lineman: Beau Bertram (Colome)
