CFNN Reporters Grace Sherbert & Gracie McLaurin

Last Friday September 23rd, the Colts played their second home game of the season. The Cape Fear Colts defeated the Purnell Swett Rams 48-0. The win put the Colts at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in United 8 Conference play. They are now in a 3 way tie for first place in the U-8.

The Colts received the opening kickoff to start the game. The kick was out of bounds, giving the Colts the ball at their own 35 yard line.  The offense had a tough time getting started and was forced to punt after going three and out on their opening drive.

The Colts’ defense was more than up to the task, though. Purnell Swett  was stopped for a loss on three consecutive plays, forcing a punt. The fireworks would start at this point.

Wide Receiver Devonte Hill grabbed the ensuing punt at midfield and cut through the Rams defense, scoring on a 52 yard punt return. The Tyler Buckley extra point was good, putting the Colts up 7-0 early in the first quarter.

After both offenses traded punts on unsuccessful drives, Linebacker Bryan Charles took advantage of an errant Rams pass and scored on a 27 yard interception return for the touchdown.  Buckley’s extra point was on the money, putting the Colts up 14-0 midway through the first quarter.

“Scoring my first touchdown is great; grinding all summer with my team really paid off,” said Charles.

Staying charged up in the first half, Quarterback Cole Wilson scored on a 2 yard run to cap a 40 yard touchdown drive on the next possession. Buckley’s extra point was good once again, and the Colts now led 21-0 toward the end of the first quarter.

The opportunistic Colts defense was not ready  to let off the gas, as Cornerback Mekhai Coleman jumped on a short route to intercept the Rams again, taking it to the house for another 27 yard interception return for the touchdown. Another Buckley kick (his leg must have been tired by now) made the score 28-0 at the end of the first quarter. 

The Rams had trouble getting anything going on offense. Multiple three and outs kept them backed up in their own territory most of the night. In all the Rams ended the night with -27 total yards, although there were a few bright spots with 3 completions for positive yardage on the night.

Another interception by linebacker Landon Hunt gave the Colts the ball at the Ram 35 yard line, and the offense was happy to oblige the defense. 

The Colts offense decided they wanted in on the action as Wilson connected with wide receiver Ricardo McDonald for a 17 yard touchdown pass. Another Buckley kick brought the score to 35-0 by halftime.

The Colts, determined not to let up in the second half, came into the 3rd quarter ready. After kicking off to the Rams and pinning them inside their own 20 yard line, Mekhai Coleman intercepted another pass and returned it straight in for his second 27 yard interception touchdown of the night, and the Colts THIRD defensive score of the evening. 

“Watching film before the game lets us read the offense. We picked up some tendencies and felt like we had a good game plan,” said Coleman after the game. We wanted to be the most physical team on the field, and we wanted to capitalize on some of their tendencies. I think we did, and we made this a defensive victory.” 

Another touchdown pass from Wilson to Wide Receiver Jacary Lightsey for 24 yards on the next drive on a 4th and long put the Colts 48-0 after yet another Buckley kick. 

The Colt fans knew this was going to be a huge victory for the Colts when they saw the running clock in the second half, but the Colts didn’t give up until the very end. All players in uniform worked diligently together to succeed. When the clock struck 0, the score was 48-0 in favor of the Colts.

Odd stat for the night: All three Colt interception returns for touchdowns were 27 yards. Unbelievable!

“I think our satisfactory defense was pretty spectacular tonight,” said Defensive Backs Coach Joe Grates. “I felt like we had a good game plan in place, and the guys went out and executed. I just want us to keep improving and get better each week. We have a tough conference schedule that will require us to be at our best every Friday.” 

Come join us this Thursday, September 30, for a huge United 8 Conference matchup with defending champions the Seventy First Falcons as they trek into Colt territory