Cottonwood football team makes it to playoffs
Colts’ football team heads to postseason
If you think watching Cottonwood High’s football team has been thrilling, you likely haven’t seen anything yet. The Colts, whose season has resembled a roller coaster of sorts, headed into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from Region 3. They were scheduled to face Northridge in the first round on Oct. 28.
While Alta claimed the region championship undefeated (5-0), Cottonwood, Jordan and Brighton tied for second place at 3-2. A coin flip was conducted to determine the Nos. 2-4 seeding for playoffs. Jordan earned the second seed, Cottonwood third and Brighton fourth.
After being shut out by Bingham 37-0 on Sept. 16, Cottonwood edged West Jordan 41-38 on Sept. 30 thanks to a last-second Hail Mary pass, lost to Jordan 49-35 on Oct. 7 and defeated Copper Hills 44-20 on Oct. 14. With a chance to lock up the No. 2 seed, Cottonwood lost 48-7 to Alta on Oct. 20.
As explosive as the Colts’ offensive has been this season, their defense has been fired upon often as well. Cottonwood is averaging nearly 29 points per game and allowing almost 33 this year. The Colts have allowed at least 13 points in every game, further illustrating their vulnerability.
Cottonwood trailed Bingham only 10-0 after three quarters before the Miners scored 27 points in the fourth quarter. Cooper Bateman threw for 113 yards and Gabe Hosea ran for 45, as the Colts (5-4 overall) were held to 162 total yards of offense. Luke Latteier made 15 tackles and Dorien Banks had 12 tackles and one sack for the Colts.
Things were much closer against West Jordan, which took a 38-35 lead with under a minute to play before Cottonwood’s late heroics. Sione Moli hauled in Bateman’s desperation pass and scored from 78 yards out to give the Colts the win. Bateman threw three touchdown passes in all, including one each to Hunter Hanks and Inoke Lotulelei. Hosea rushed for 190 yards and three scores, Bateman threw for 345 yards and ran for 66 more, and Lotulelei had 12 receptions for 168 yards.
Banks had 13 tackles and two sacks as Cottonwood, which trailed 14-7 at halftime, evened the game at 21-all entering the fourth quarter.
The excitement didn’t stop there, as Jordan and Cottonwood were tied 28-28 after three quarters in their playoff rematch from last season. However, the Beetdiggers scored 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to prevail. Bateman and Lotulelei connected on a pair of touchdown passes and each ran for another score. Hanks returned a fumble for a touchdown. Bateman threw for 173 yards, Hosea rushed for 163 yards, and Lotulelei had six catches for 93 yards. Latteier and Banks combined to make 26 tackles.
Cottonwood pulled away from Copper Hills in the second quarter to clinch a playoff berth. The Colts led 14-6 after one quarter, but increased the margin to 28-6 at halftime. Bateman threw for 244 yards and five touchdowns – three to Lotulelei. Hanks had a pair of scoring receptions while Kingston Liavaa returned a fumble for a touchdown and Hosea rushed for 193 yards.
The Colts couldn’t find an answer for Alta’s explosive offense in the regular season finale. The Hawks led 17-0 after one quarter, 27-7 at halftime and 41-7 after three quarters. Cottonwood’s lone score came on a pass from Bateman to Lotulelei.
Despite their defensive inefficiencies, the Colts are among the best in the state in many offensive categories. Hosea has rushed for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Bateman has thrown for 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. Lotulelei has 60 receptions for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Moli, Hanks, Siale Fakailoatonga and Alex Walton each have at least 200 receiving yards for the Colts. Hanks has four touchdown receptions on the season.
