How much have Colome's 'Super' sophomores grown since August
Colome QB Layton Thieman talking to his offensive coordinator during Monday's game with Hamlin.
By Rich Winter
Standing on the sidelines of the Colome vs. Hamlin game last night and I was sorta semi-visiting with a fella about some of the players on the Colome football team.
While I didn't need said fella's help to take one look at Will Cahoy running the football to realize THAT GUY is a load, I did need a little clarification on some of that sophomore talent.
Wanted to hear and see a little more about sophomore QB, Layton Thieman, who was the starting QB in Colome's only setback, a 14-12 loss to Corsica-Stickney on Aug. 26. If memory serves that was the first varsity start at QB for Thieman and while his Cowboys carved out an early lead, they eventually fell, 14-12 to Corsica-Stickney, the same team they'll face on Saturday.
I can't recall Thieman's production in that opener, but man the kid looked all grown up in commanding his troops in a 38-8 win over Hamlin that lifted the Cowboys record to 9-1 heading into that semi-final match.
Sophomores and high school football are an interesting beast. They start the season game, but young and inexperienced. Put ten games under their belts and by November they are almost juniors in terms of their football acumen. Thieman throws a good ball, plays within himself, handles that read-option pretty well and will be a big factor in Saturday's game.
So, there I am, visiting with the same guy on the sideline and I asked him about Jackson Kinzer who was lined up deep to take a punt. "He's already scored once and he's pretty slippery and dangerous," was basically what the guy said. On cue, Kinzer took the punt, dodged a couple of defenders and took it to the house.
OOOOOHHHHHH!!
Jackson Kinzer is a sophomore playing some grown man football.
Kinzer carried the ball four times on the evening, but took two of them for touchdowns. In addition, Kinzer also ran back a second quarter Hamlin punt for a touchdown to give Colome a 30-0 lead before halftime.
Kelly O'Bryan was the leading rusher for the Cowboys, tallying 80 yards on eight carries. Will Cahoy chipped in 71 yards on 11 carries. Layton Thieman threw two touchdowns on the night, as he passed for 20 yards total in the contest.
It's hard to get a complete read on a team based on first sight appearance but Colome is big and stout up front. Matt Campbell, Kolton Salonen and Beau Bertram had seven tackles each for Colome. I've seen Mr. Campbell in the shot and discus ring and he was downright disruptive as a pass rusher last night, taking the swim move to a completely different level against less talented athletes trying to block him.
Really like the emotion of the Colome sideline that was into the game, and went nuts when the team recovered a fumbled Hamlin punt late in the first quarter. People can make fun of the sideline being involved as being important all they want but when a team is together and playing for each other that's when you see the younger kids active and engaged in every play that is being made, and that's crucial to the success of a squad.
Did get a little vibe from some of the guys, not players, on the sidelines that this 2016 team has far exceeded expectations. I think the thought was 5-3 during the regular season, so to be sitting there on the doorstep of the dome with a chip on their shoulder....Go get em Colome!
Oh, and the sunset....Freaking crazy good last night!
