I-S faces defending state champion

By Holly Neumann

It didn’t take long for the Colby Hornets to make a statement in their nonconference game with Iola-Scandinavia.

The Hornets, the defending WIAA Division 6 state champions, had five first-quarter touchdown runs in a 56-20 win over the Thunderbirds Sept. 2 at Thunderbird Field.

Caden Healy and Mateo Lopez found the end zone twice for the Hornets on runs of 30, 28, 45 and 35 yards in the first quarter, while Nathaniel Robida scored from 35 yards out.

Colby added to its lead in the second quarter on Lopez’s 45-yard punt return and Gavin Voss’ 65-yard run to take a 49-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Parker Gullixon scored on a 78-yard run for Iola-Scandinavia in the third quarter, but Colby answered with Ivan Haemer’s 1-yard run.

Jensen Rice also scored for the T-Birds in the third quarter on a 68-yard run and added a 31-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Healy finished with 100 of Colby’s 417 rushing yards, while Gullixon led the T-Birds with 153 yards. He also completed seven of 13 passes for 39 yards.

Iola-Scandinavia fell to 0-3 and will face another Marawood Conference team, as the T-Birds head to Abbotsford Friday, Sept. 9, for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Falcons.

The team’s Central Wisconsin Conference-Small opener against Assumption is set for Friday, Sept. 16, in Wisconsin Rapids.