Coahulla Creek knocks off Ringgold 34-27 at The Creek
Under the bright Friday night lights for the last time this season, the Colts closed out their season in unforgettable fashion. Defeating Ringgold in a thrilling final game will be one that is remembered for years to come. The energy in the stadium was electric as fans packed the stands to celebrate senior night and our final game. From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, the Colts played with heart, determination, and pride. Ending their season on the ultimate high note with a hard-fought victory over the Tigers. Head coach Drew Carter explains how he felt about winning the final game of the season and he says “I don’t know how to put it into words. You know not many people get to finish the season with a win, because there’s a lot of them that finish with a loss, and being able to do that, going into the offseason, that good taste in your mouth. It is just a sweet way to do it.”
The Colts started off strong in the first half game. After falling behind 7-0 to Ringgold, Brody Howell caught the ball for solid yardage, helping move the chains and keep the momentum on the Colts side. With 4:04 minutes left of the first quarter, Tyler Douglas powered into the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. Just a few minutes later, LB Branson Lowery made a huge defensive play by recovering a fumble, keeping the Tigers from gaining ground and giving the Colts another chance to control the game. The defense continued to dominate with 1:21 left in the 1st when LB Luke Turner added to the scoreboard with a safety, giving the Colts an early and confident 9-7 lead to close out the first quarter.
Carter tells us the energy “has been good the last few weeks, but I think that tonight, it was an awesome combination of the energy and focus because we finally saw all those things come together and we made the plays we needed to make.”
Continuing their momentum into the second and third quarters, we saw even more impressive dominance being done. During the second quarter at the 8:40 mark we saw senior DL Colby Ewart force a fumble on the Tigers leading it up to LB River Choate to scoop and carry the ball to the end zone for a touchdown. That gave the Colts a 16-7 lead.
The defensive energy fueled the offense more, as QB Waelyn Baliles followed with a strong quarterback sneak making great yardage and kept the Tigers on their heels. The Colts teamwork and intensity were on full display as they battled it out with the Tigers. To start the 3rd Senior Kicker Edward Alvarez made good on a field goal to give the Colts a 19-13 lead. Later in the 3rd quarter, Tyler Douglas got in on the ground again, this time from 26 yards out, to extend the Colts lead to 26-13.
In the final quarter of the game, the Colts refused to let up. Finishing their season with the same intensity they started with. Tyler Douglas continued his standout performance by snagging a pick six early in the fourth quarter, and intercepting a pass by the Tigers to finish the win off strong. Tyler Douglas was an outstanding, and recognized as player of the game. Coach Carter stated “Golly, its hard not to talk about Tyler Douglas, he had a couple of rushing touchdowns and was explosive in the passing game.” The crowd erupted as the Colts celebrated their final win of the season. A perfect ending to senior night and a game that highlighted teamwork, resilience, and heart. Coach Carter gives a bunch of credit to our seniors as he says “I think they set the tone from the word go. You can go right down the list of all those guys and I don’t know if I can tell those guys ‘thank you enough’ for doing that because that’s the legacy that they’re going to leave.”
Overall, this season was one to remember for the Colts. A year filled with growth, determination, and unforgettable moments on and off the field. From battling through tough opponents, to finishing the season strong with a win on Senior Night, the team proved their commitment and heart every step of the way. The seniors led with pride and set the tone for what it means to wear the Colts uniform, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and grit. Coach Carter tells us “The progress they made, and just being able to send these seniors out the way that it’s supposed to be, finishing with that legacy that they talked about with a win.”
As the program looks ahead to next season, there’s a strong sense of excitement and confidence. With talented underclassmen ready to step up and the experience gained this year, the future looks bright for the Colts. The team is hungry to build on this momentum and ready to work hard in the offseason and make next year even more successful!
Dear Colts Country, being the Colts football article writer this season has truly been a blessing and an experience I will never forget. Stepping up last minute to take on this role turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being a part of the Coahulla Creek Football team has been one of my favorite memories of being a Colt. From being in the student section all three years of high school to making my way to the field my senior year and experiencing the atmosphere of the game on the field has been my favorite way to spend a Friday night. From the excitement of Friday Night Lights to the energy of the crowd and pride of capturing each game’s story, every moment has been special. Writing about this team, their hard work, determination, and heart has been an honor and joy. The community support and the bond shared by everyone who loves the Colts have made this season unforgettable. I would love to say thank you to Coach Carter for taking me in and letting me be a part of his team. Also, thank you to our Colt Country for all the support on my articles. As this chapter of my life comes to a close, I’ll always be grateful for the memories and proud to say that once a Colt, always a Colt. Sincerely Kylie Lyttle.