The Redskins took their first few steps in league play in their fourth game of the season on Friday September 25 at home, welcoming Quincy after they just had a long two hour drive. Colusa like any other team wanted to start off league with a win. After a devastating loss last year in Quincy only losing by 3, this game would not only be a big win for the record but also would be a big win mentally for the seniors who were on the team last year.
Colusa didn’t start the game off how they would have liked to. After the first two quarters the Redskins could not get their offense in a rhythm going into half time with putting nothing on the score board, and the defense stood their ground by only letting one touchdown go by them.
But fortunately for the Redskins it was a different story for them the entire second half. They were off the ball quicker, the offensive line was blocking much better, and the running backs were running with passion. But the entire game came down to one play, there were 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Redskins needed one score to win the game with the score tied 20-20. But all it took was one simple pass with Jeremy Hernandez finding an uncovered Geoff McPherson in the end zone for the winning touchdown. The Redskins dominated the fourth quarter scoring 20 points and sending Quincy home on a long bus ride serving them with their first loss of the season.
Jeremy Hernandez finished the game off 4-7 with 42 yards passing and a touchdown. Carlos Gutierrez dominated the field with a huge game of 28 carries and 207 plus touchdown. The other touchdowns for Colusa were scored by Vicente Gutierrez, Hayden Myers, and Geoff McPherson with the Redskins 3-1 in season and 1-0.
The next week the Redskins welcomed the Esparto Wolverines as their guests in their second league bout at home. Colusa was looking to stay perfect in league while Esparto was still looking to get there first win of the season. The game started off in favor of the Redskins with their defense stomping on Espartos offense to get the ball and then scoring on their first drive with Carlos Gutierrez running hard for a touchdown. With another quick defense of stop by the Redskins they put the ball back into their offense’s hands and were looking for another score. But because of a bad snap the Redskins fumbled the ball and Esparto scooped it up and returned it for a touchdown, but because of a Esparto player clipping QB Jeremy Hernandez who was trying to tackle the ball carrier the play was called back to the spot of the penalty. But the play still put Esparto in good scoring position. But because of a wall that Colusa’s defense set up it wrecked the offense stopping Esparto’s only chance to score in the first half.
From then on the game was owned by Colusa. With four different players on Colusa with touchdowns and safety by the defense and Carlos Gutierrez with 140 yards rushing with two touchdowns the offense dominated. But the defense also played a big part with Hayden Myers leading it with 11 tackles and Benji right behind him with 9 it all contributed to Colusa’s 4-1(2-0) second with in league over Esparto 0-5.
Losing is never an enjoyment, especially when you suffer a loss to a league matchup. Colusa was a little rusty having their first away game in three weeks against Hamilton City. With the speculation high considering that Colusa and Hamilton City were two of the teams tied for first place in the Mid Valley League, there was a lot to live up to. But the game didn’t start out how they hoped it would with the Redskins down 14-0 not very far into the first quarter. But Colusa’s offense kept the first half from being scoreless with two field goals kicked by kicker Luis Benitez. But field goals weren’t going to win the Redskins the game with only scoring one touchdown compared to Hamilton City’s five with the final score 13-35 with Colusa’s 4-2 (2-1) second league loss. Because of a scary neck injury suffered by Vicente Gutierrez in the second half the game had to be stopped. Vicente was carried off the field in a stretcher and because it was a neck injury the paramedics were cautious. But it was not a serious injury and Vicente was back at practice the next week.
Colusa’s playoff berth was rejected until further notice. Homecoming game was definitely a disappointment for the entire town as Colusa had high hopes that this game would be there ticket for playoffs. The game definitely didn’t start out had they wanted as on the games kickoff East Nicolas returned the kick for a touchdown, and with Colusa’s offense struggling on their first drive it gave the Spartans the ball back to get them another quick score. But Colusa decide that they weren’t going to stay off the score board for long as junior Dillon Boggs rushed the ball in the end zone for a short run and the game went into the half 16-7.
The second half was more of a stalemate if anything with both offenses only putting up one touchdown each which ended the game 24-13. Which gave the Redskins 4-3 (2-2) there second loss in league. Colusa was not at full strength going into the game with two starting running backs sitting on the side lines because of injury who were Carlos Gutierrez and Vicente Gutierrez. Hayden Meyers led the defense in tackles with 12and sophomore Bre’on Jones was right behind him racking up 9.
On October 23 the seniors on the Colusa high school football team came to realization. They faced their last regular season home game at Colusa stadium. In tribute to the seniors, parents from the football team put some money together and bought all the seniors on the team a game jersey with each of their names on it and they wore this jersey as they ran out on the field in their last home game.
The football team ended their home season in style dominating their country rivalry Williams. The game really wasn’t much of a contest for Colusa’s offense from the beginning, with Hayden Meyers running the ball in end zone for the first touchdown of the game before his night ended from a recurring ankle injury. But fortunately for the offense they had a few more weapons with RB’s Dylan McPherson and Darren Smith racking up a rushing touchdown along with QB Jeremy Hernandez two rushing touchdowns. On the defensive side Dylan McPherson also had a touchdown after returning an interception for a touchdown and Geoff McPherson had pick for six but was called back after a block in the back. And reliable kicker Luis Benitez also kicked two field goals.
The game couldn’t really have gotten much better for the Redskins 5-3 (3-2) as they finished off the yellow jackets 48-14. With this win the Colusa football team has once again beat every team in their county with the exception of Princeton and have earned the right of the county cup.