The HFL C Team Youth Cougars were able to go on the road and take care of business in a 25-0 rout of host Marcus Whitman on Sunday. The Cougars were dominant in every aspect of the game from start to finish.

The opening 4 and out series for MW would be an omen of what was in store on the day. After forcing the ball over on downs, the Cougars would use a quick-striking running attack of Peter Romig and Patrick Lustyk to drive the ball down the field. HFL scored on a long dash by Romig, capped by an extra point conversion run by Mason Wanzenried to go up 7-0.

The swarming HFL defense quickly made things worse for MW by strip-sacking their QB, and recovering the fumble on the next series. The Wildcats returned the favor by stoning the Cougars on their next drive. Again, a ferocious Cougars defense led by Colt Green, Patrick Lustyk, and Matthew Blythe would shut down MW’s attempts at moving the ball. HFL would get the ball back, but this time they were able to move the ball. Following a MW pass interference penalty committed on a wide-open Christian Coler, the Cougars would see a long Wyatt Hayes TD run called back on a holding penalty. That would not stop the HFL scoring train for long, however. The very next play was a 15 yard scoring strike from Wanzenried to a once again wide open Coler in the end zone. The Cougars lead extended to 13-0.

HFL’s dominant defense was unrelenting in its pursuit of MW ball carriers. Big hits made by Nolan Yates and Jason Hofmann set the tone. Once again, HFL got the ball back on downs. The Cougars “Lightning” offense was able to move the ball effectively. A balanced attack featuring Andrew Childs, Benjamin Carson, Colt Green, and Hayden Meehan kept the chains moving until Childs streaked into the end zone on a 15 yard reverse play making the lead 19-0 for the Cougars. Great blocking on the offensive line included notable efforts by Jack Graney, Mitchell Greer, and Justin Blodgett.

In the second half, the HFL defense continued to dominate play. Following an impressive tackle by Patrick Lustyk, the game was all but guaranteed on an interception by Riley Wall. The Cougars continued to move the chains and eat valuable time by converting a 4^th and long play on another 15 yard reverse run by Andrew Childs. The run was made possible by an impressive pancake block made by Mason Bulling. The third quarter would end 19-0.

Shortly after switching ends of the field, Benjamin Carson would punch the ball into the end zone on a QB keeper, extended HFL’s lead to the final score of 25-0. The day would end the way it started, with dominant play by the Cougars defense. Wanzenried, Yates, Coler, Cade Ratliff, and Preston Huff would all make notable stops on MW to guarantee a shutout for the visiting Cougars.

The Cougars finished the season 5-2-1 on the year. We wish a talented group of players who will be headed up to the HFL B team next year good luck, and we look forward to having the younger C Team players from this year step up into leadership roles on next year’s C Team. Thanks for a great season coaches, players, officials, and parents!