No. 2 Colon holds off No. 5 Climax-Scotts in 8-player clash of perennial powers

Two of the top teams in the state in 8-player football took their undefeated records onto the field at Colon High School and the "Game of the Week"-type expectations lived up to the hype.

In a physical contest that was undecided until the final minutes, No. 2 Colon held off No. 5 Climax-Scotts, 25-20, in this Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League contest on Friday.

Here are five takeaways from the game:

All-Staters Step Up

In a game where one or two plays were going to make the difference, Colon was able to lean on its two All-Staters in quarterback Simon Vinson and receiver Justin Wickey.

Climax-Scotts defensive back Miles Shannon intercepted the ball at the goal line midway through the third quarter. The Panthers then went on a 15-play drive, before running back Luke Lawrence scored from 3 yards out with 2:16 left in the third quarter to cut the Colon lead to 18-14.

If the Panthers could get another stop on defense, it would have a chance to steal the game in the fourth quarter. However, Colon was able to drive the field on its next possession as Vinson completed six passes, with the final one being a 10-yard touchdown toss to Wickey, who high-pointed the ball in the corner of the end zone. The 25-14 lead with 9:17 remaining would make it tough for the Panthers to recover.

It was a play Wickey had been waiting to make all game as he was held in check throughout out much of the action by Climax-Scotts double teams.

"It was a little frustrating because I want the ball in my hands to help my team win," Wickey said. "On that play, I finally got a situation where there was some inside shade a little bit, so I called it out and he threw it up to me and I made the play."

Wickey, who had 55 catches through five games coming in, finished with six receptions for 102 yards and a score. Vinson finished 13-for-20 for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Contrasting Styles

Colon is a pass-heavy team. Climax-Scotts is the opposite side of that offensive coin with a run-dominant strategy.

Those two styles played out early.

After an early Climax Scotts interception by Chase VanMiddlesworth, the Panthers worked the clock with short runs and an 18-play drive, eating up almost the entire opening period before quarterback Daniel Matrau scored from 10 yards out on a keeper on a 4^th-and-7 play with 2:01 remaining.

That seemingly didn’t leave much time for the Magi to score in the first quarter, but Colon's quick-strike offense scored twice in those final two minutes. Vinson took the Magi down the field on short passes before Tucker Lafler scored from a yard out with :24 left. After a C-S fumble, Colon scored again on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Vinson to Owen Wilson for a 12-6 lead at the start of the second quarter.

"Climax-Scotts, their game plan was to pound the ball, keep the ball out of our offense's hands and that was a great game plan for them," Colon coach Robbie Hattan said. "But we did a great job of stepping up when we needed to. When we needed a drive, our guys stepped up."

Lafler finished with two rushing touchdowns for Colon, with Vinson leading the team with 62 yards rushing.

Nothing Easy

In a very physical game, neither team was able to get anything easy. That is a big contrast from how the rest of the season has gone for both. Colon had scored 40 or more points in each game this season and won by at least 28 points in all of them, except for a 40-24 victory over then No. 1-ranked Lenawee Christian.

Climax-Scotts had also dominated, winning every game this year by more than 30, except for its opening victory, a 28-26 win over Concord.

This game was nothing like those others. Climax-Scotts cut the lead to 25-20 on a short touchdown run by Matrau with 2:20 left, but time would run out before they could get the ball back. Overall, the stats showed how close things were with only a 298-277 advantage in yards for Colon.

Matrau finished with 80 yards rushing to lead the Panthers with two touchdowns, adding 75 yards passing.

"We like to hang our hat on being physical," Climax-Scotts coach Tyler Langs said. "And we were physical tonight. At the end of the night, our kids played hard, but they made more plays than we did.

"Give them credit. There is a reason they have been to the state championship game two of the last three years. They are a good team. But I have a feeling we may see them again in the playoffs."

Looking ahead

Colon has now clinched a share of the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League A Division with a game up on both Climax-Scotts and Lenawee Christian with only one conference game remaining for the Magi. Colon will take on Superior Central from the Upper Peninsula next at a neutral field in Gaylord. Climax-Scotts gets Pittsford next and then will see another state-ranked squad in Lenawee Christian in Week 8.

What they said ...

Colon coach Robbie Hattan: "This is the end of a three-game stretch where we played three very physical games and we are a little banged up because of it. But it's great for our team to have these three tough games, face some adversity and get us ready for the playoffs."

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.