Coyotes send Wolfpack packing 54-6

BURBANK–From Columbia's first touchdown on the second play of the game, a 55-yard ramble by Abraham Garcia, the Wolfpack had the feeling it was going to be a long night. The Coyotes stomped on the gas pedal and didn't let up as they scored 35 points in the first quarter on their way to a 54-6 win over Dayton Waitsburg here last Thursday, March 25.

"We had a really hard time picking up their front five and when they brought even more via the blitz, they put us in some bad situations, pretty much eliminating our run game, said Head Coach Troy Larsen.

Dayton-Waitsburg scored in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard swing pass from Monte Pettichord to Mason Finney, who then battled his way through several Coyote defenders to pay dirt.

Pettichord completed 13 of 32 passes for 115 yards, and Finney caught four passes for 33 yards, and was joined by Shawn Evans, who received five passes for 41 yards and Colton VanBlaricom's two passes and 23 yards.

"Monte Pettichord did a good job scrambling to get some tight throws off with all their pressure," Larsen continued. "I give the Wolfpack football players a lot of credit for not giving up and continuing to battle for the whole game."

Coach Larsen credited the line for a "great effort up front blocking at times," which opened up the run game somewhat, allowing speedy Hudson Reser to squirt through defenders for yardage.

Columbia-Burbank's reputation is of a tough defense and DW's Pettichord to Finney touchdown was on of three that has been scored on the Coyotes this covid-shortened season.

DW's offense suffered from miscues and missed opportunities, drives' sustained progress tripped up by a fumble, errant snap, incomplete pass or ill-timed penalty. The Coyote defense held Dayton-Waitsburg to just two first downs in the first half.

Trailing 48-0 at the half, the running clock was in effect. DW's first possession was killed by a lost fumble, resulting in Columbia's final touchdown, a 15 yard run by Elijah Kinsey.

Both teams duked it out to a draw the remainder of the third with the Coyote drive stopped when Adam Puckett recovered a fumble. This change of possession started DW's 55-yard touchdown drive.

VanBlaricom punched out a five-yard gain, then Pettichord found Evans for a 20-yard pass reception into Coyote territory, first and ten on the 35 yard line.

Hudson Reser juked through the crowd for a 15-yard gain to the 20, followed by a short gain on the run-pass-option play by Pettichord.

VanBlaricom's short gain made it third and one, and Pettichord was stopped at the line of scrimmage, making it fourth and inches. Reser dove through for the first and goal, and Pettichord threw to Finney on the next play. DW's point after kick was blocked.

Columbia 54, Dayton-Waitsburg 6 (3/24)

DW 0 0 0 6-6

CB 35 13 6 0-54

CB-Garcia 55 yd run. Kick failed.

CB-Garcia 35-yard run. Pariera pass from Frimodt.

CB-Lenke 15 yd run. Gomez kick.

CB-Mullen 28 yd pass from Frimodt. Gomez kick.

CB-Hale 3 yd pass from Frimodt. Gomez kick.

CB-Garcia 3 yd run. Gomez kick.

CB-Hale 30 yd punt return. Gomez kick.

CB-Kinsey 15 yd run. Kick blocked.

DW-Finney 9 yd pass from Pettichord. Kick blocked.

Passing: Pettichord, 13-32-1-0 115 yards

Receiving: Evans 5-41 yards, Finney 4-33-1 TD, VanBlaricom 2-23 yards, Bryan 1-6 yards, Reser 1-12 yards.

Rushing: Reser, 6-29 yards.

The Wolfpack traveled to White Swan Tuesday night for a 6 p.m. league crossover game. Results will be reported next week.