The sound of musket fire signaled success for the first time this year for the Skyhawks.
After losing close in each of the first two games of the season, Fort Lewis College traveled to Adams State in Alamosa for the annual rivalry football game between the two teams. At stake was the traveling trophy, a Springfield .45-70 military issue rifle. The Skyhawks retained the musket for a second consecutive season with a 21-16 victory Saturday. It was the 16th time FLC (1-2, 1-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) has won the musket in the 51 games it has been put on the line.
FLC head coach Ed Rifilato had a big decision to make going into Saturday’s game when it came to his quarterback. After Larry Cutbirth III, a Division I transfer from Southeastern, struggled in a 39-36 home loss to Black Hills State last week, Rifilato decided to start Albuquerque’s Bo Coleman, a redshirt sophomore. Coleman didn’t let his opportunity pass by. He ran for two first-half touchdowns on the way to 79 rushing yards. Coleman was 11-of-14 passing for 155 yards and one touchdown pass to Arealous Hughes on a big 63-yard connection in the third quarter to answer a run of 10 consecutive points to end the first half and start the second for Adams State (0-3 RMAC). It proved to be the game-winning score, giving FLC a 21-13 lead.
“We had two games under our belt, and we wanted to get a chance to look at Bo,” Rifilato said. “I’ve always had faith in Bo because he runs well. We will commit to Bo for next week.”
Coleman brings more speed to the position and showed it with shifty runs throughout the game. He came up with big first down conversions and showed off a few finesse moves running outside the tackles.
“Both of our quarterbacks are different style guys,” Rifilato said. “We really have to commit our offense to one style or the other. Cutbirth has a better arm, but when we saw him throw he wasn’t that accurate. Bo, we know what we are getting with his speed and running ability.”
The Skyhawks’ rushing attack couldn’t be stopped. PJ Hall ran for 157 yards on 20 carries for his best performance of the young season, and Drake Griffin added 121 yards on 19 carries, as the Skyhawks totaled 359 yards on the ground. Griffin lost one fumble, but the FLC defense was strong all day and didn’t let it cost the Skyhawks.
“That’s what we try to do,” Rifilato said. “We’re gonna get better passing of course, but we have to dominate the fronts. Our offensive and defensive lines dominated.”
FLC did it without All-RMAC left tackle Kenny Shinley and the team’s best defensive end in Kohlton Tegeler.
Special teams continued to be a sore spot for FLC. Kicker Joseph Cavale missed two first quarter field goals, having both kicks blocked. FLC didn’t dare try a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to make it an eight-point game. But a turnover on downs wouldn’t cost FLC, as the defense again came up big.
“We’re dong good on offense and defense right now, so I just wanted to control the game and force them to drive and score on us instead of letting anything get away from us,” Rifilato said. “We’re letting guys through the line on kicks. It’s something we need to look at.”
Adams State quarterback Jorge Hernandez went 27-of-50 passing for 313 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked twice and hurried repeatedly. The Skyhawks held the Grizzlies to only 28 rushing yards.
Preseason All-RMAC linebacker Andrew Ike led the FLC defense with seven tackles, including a sack for a 12 yard loss. Cornerback Dre Cortez had the other sack for a nine-yard loss.
FLC will face its biggest test so far this season next week when it hosts No. 23 Colorado Mesa at noon Saturday. The Mavericks upset No. 10 Colorado Mines 41-40 in double overtime Saturday.
“We were hoping Mesa would win,” Rifilato said. “I’d rather them come in here after a big win like that. We will be ready to play.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
