From Deseret News archives:
4A high school football semifinals: Colts' Sofele too much for Panthers
With just over three minutes to play, and after fighting back from a 19-0 deficit, the Panthers were faced with a fourth-and-2 from the Colts' five-yard line. Quarterback Justin Ence faked a handoff and raced toward the left sideline. He turned the corner and cut up field. Cottonwood linebacker Jason Bilanzich grabbed Ence and hauled him to the ground as Ence extended the football, reaching for the first-down marker. After the officials spotted the ball, brought out the chains and stretched them taught, Pine View came up about eight inches short of a shot at four more downs to punch it in from the 3.
"It made me nervous when we lost contain right off the bat on the line of scrimmage, but our linebackers really stepped up and made the stop," said Colts coach Cecil Thomas. "That was huge. I don't know what happens if we don't stop them there."
In all likelihood, Pine View would've punched it in with the way Ence was running the football in the second half. After gaining only 33 yards on nine carries in the first half, he finished with 144 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns — he had a 12-yard TD run and a 39-yard scoring burst within three minutes of each other in the last part of the third quarter.
"I thought their offensive line did a good job of knocking us off the ball," added Thomas. "I was surprised at how well they controlled the line of scrimmage."
Of course, before the Pine View comeback, it was all Cottonwood.
The Colts opened the scoring in the first quarter as Isi Sofele capped a 13-play, 63-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. Before the half ended, Cottonwood put together an eight-play, 69-yard drive, with Sofele again finishing it for the touchdown. Although he was slowed for most of the opening half — Sofele gained 38 yards on 10 carries — each time he neared the end zone, he found a way to get that extra yard or two and get in for paydirt.
"He is going to find a way every time," said Thomas. "I never doubt the kid. He's got that warrior mentality, and he brings it everyday. He is exactly what you want."
Sofele again provided a big burst in the second half, when he was much more effective. He finished with 139 yards on 21 carries and added a third touchdown on a 48-yard run. Sofele now has 32 rushing touchdowns on the season, but he said it certainly hasn't been all about him.
"I am just really grateful for my O-line," said Sofele. "I have the best guys up front of any back in the state. I may get the long runs and the touchdowns, but without them, I can't do any of it."
Ultimately, the game was decided by eight inches. Cottonwood's defense made the play when it mattered most, and the Colts are moving on to the 4A championship game next Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Rice-Eccles.
"I had complete faith in my defense," said Cottonwood quarterback Steve Romero. "I had a little nervous feeling that I can't really explain, but in my heart, I just knew they were going to get it done."
E-mail: mblack@desnews.com
