Knights run past Lathrop to stay undefeated

PALMER — Last week, the Colony Knights slipped out of Fairbanks with a slim 10-7 victory over West Valley. The Knights scored the win to stay undefeated, but Friday night, Colony was looking for something a bit more definitive.

And that’s exactly what the Knights got.

Colony rolled to a 42-0 Railbelt Conference victory over Lathrop at Colony High School.

“We had a good week of practice this week. We were ready to execute, ready to turn that corner,” Colony senior Jake Hessinger said. “We’ve had a couple of rough weeks. We were ready to come out and show everybody we’re still legit.”

Hessinger was one four players to rush for touchdowns as the Knights improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Railbelt. Senior quarterback Parker Kizer rushed for three scores. Junior Eric Christy added a touchdown. Senior Cody Gamble scored late for the Knights.

Colony head coach Rhett Manger said the close call at West Valley was an eye-opener.

“Luckily we snuck out with a win, but I think that put things in perspective,” Magner said after the Lathrop win. “We took a step back and re-evaluated what it is to play Colony football. That’s what we talked about, and that’s how we expected them to play.”

It’s a simply formula, Magner said.

“Let’s go back to the basics. Hit hard. Play fast. Play for each other,” Magner said.

The Knights rushed for 363 yards, their most since the opening week of the season. Hessinger led the Knights with 112 yards and a score. Christy added 110 yards and touchdown on only nine carries. Kizer chipped in 41 yards and scored three times.

“Jake Hessinger played great today. It’s falling on him, falling on Parker to run the ball effectively,” Magner said. “They made plays when we needed them to make plays. Eric Christy stepped up again. He’s a quarterback playing running back for us. He played his heart out.”

Colony also pitched its third shutout of the season and second in the last three weeks. The Knights, who also blanked Wasilla 18-0 two weeks ago, have allowed only seven total points in three Railbelt games this season.

Lathrop senior quarterback Josh Hernandez threw the ball 36 times in the loss, and was held to only 14 completions and 119 yards passing.

“We practiced for that all week,” Hessinger said. “We were ready for that.”

Senior Zach Kosa led Lathrop with seven grabs for 55 yards. Colony also held Lathrop to -12 yards rushing. Lathrop’s longest rush of the game was fullback Deondric Henderson’s 8-yard rush in the first half.

With Colony leading 22-0 late in the first half, the Malemutes had a chance to put points on the scoreboard. Kicker Zach Kosa attempted a 36-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half, but the kick was blocked by Colony senior defensive lineman Jarek Schultz.

Lathrop dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the Railbelt, but the Malemutes are still in the hunt for a spot in the postseason. The Malemutes need a win over West Valley next week to clinch a playoff spot.

Colony clinched home field advantage in the first round of the Division I postseason with the win Friday.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@fontiersman.com.

Colony 42, Lathrop 0

Friday, Colony High School

First quarter:

Colony — Kizer 2 run (Krozel kick) 4:08.

Second quarter:

Colony — Christy 27 run (Kizer pass to Hessinger) 8:24.

Colony — Kizer 23 run (Krozel kick) 2:48.

Third quarter:

Colony — Kizer 2 run (Krozel kick) 4:04.

Colony — Hessinger 57 run (kick blocked) 0:20.

Fourth quarter:

Colony — Gamble 1 run (Krozel kick) 5:09.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Lathrop: Hernandez 6-(-30), Story 6-3, Wonser 3-7, Henderson 1-8; Colony: Hessinger 12-117, Kizer 12-41, Christy 9-110, Jimenez 9-64, Leavitt 6-20, Raval 2-7, Gamble 2-4.

PASSING — Lathrop: Hernandez 14-36-1—119; Colony; Kizer 2-5-0—61.

RECEIVING — Lathrop: Kosa 7-55, Reed 3-39, Zadra 2-16, Wager 2-9; Colony: Wyche 1-49, Kizer 1-12.