Football: Coleville will play for state title

Coleville coach Will Sandy has said several times that the sting of last year's season-ending 128-74 loss to Pahranagat Valley in the state semifinals has been a driving force behind the Wolves resurgent defense this year.

On Saturday, Coleville will get a chance a vengance as the Wolves will meet up with Pahranagat Valley in the state championship game at noon at Damonte Ranch.

Coleville clinched its spot in the game with an impressive 76-0 win over Tonopah over the weekend.

It'll be the Wolves first trip to the state finals since 1992. They haven't won a state title since 1971.

Buh Hamilton scored on Coleville's first offensive play Saturday when he raced up the middle for a 54-yard touchdown run.

Coleville's defense came up big on Tonopah's next offensive possession when Emmi Sandoval intercepted a pass and raced 52 yards for the Wolves second touchdown.

After taking over on downs, quarterback Jason Peters took only one play to score Coleville's third touchdown when he found a hole behind center Steven Koelling and guard Patrick Burgan and ran 71-yards for the score. Coleville's big play offensive and smothering defense had taken total control of the game in less than a quarter.

Quarterback Peters was Coleville's leading rusher for the day with 107 yards on 8 carries including four touchdown runs. Peters also threw for three touchdowns and ended with 137 yards passing.

Hamilton added 68 yards on five carries and found the endzone twice. Shane Parker had two carries, including a 62-yard run in the 4th quarter.

Cody Clark led Coleville's balanced receiving effort with four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown. Jay Clark had 33 yards on four receptions with a touchdown and Emmi Sandoval added 26 yards on three receptions and also had a touchdown reception.

"Obviously our offense had a great day, but I was most impressed with the play of our defense. The entire team had a chance to play today and they all made significant contributions," said coach Will Sandy.

Making especially strong contributions were Sandoval with five solos and three assists, Jay Clark with four solos and eight assists, Mat Randal with two solos, seven assists and 2.5 sacks and Tyler Summers with two solos and seven assists.

Lucas Vasquez had four solos and a sack and one fumble recovery, Steven Koelling with two solos, three assists, and a sack, and David Sandoval with one solo, two assists, and a fumble recovery also played very well for the Wolves.

Pahranagat Valley enters Saturday's title game as the defending state champions. Both teams are undefeated for the 2009 season and feature strong defenses and high-scoring offenses.