Norse comeback hopes ended by weather
Brock Sluga ran up the middle for a Whitehall first down during their game against Colfax on Friday night. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
The Whitehall football team was driving for what could have been the tying score, but lighting flashed and that’s where the drive and the game ended.
The Norse trailed Colfax 14-6 at halftime, but received the opening kickoff in the second half. They picked up a first down near midfield when Brock Sluga ran up the middle for four yards. Before Whitehall could run another play, a flash of lightning lit up the field and the game had to be delayed.
As storms moved in, it was decided that the game would not be finished and Colfax would walk away as 14-6 winners.
All 20 points were scored in the first quarter. Colfax got on the board first with an 11-yard touchdown run. Whitehall responded on the next possession when Devon McCune hit CJ Johnston for a 40-yard touchdown pass. The point after was no good so Whitehall still trailed, 7-6.
Colfax went to the air in the next possession with a 57-yard touchdown pass. The point after put them ahead by the final score.
The touchdown pass was the only completion of the game for McCune on four attempts. He also ran for 79 yards and led the team with seven tackles.
Whitehall outgained Colfax, 164-136 and had more first downs — nine to five — but the visiting team won where it mattered most.
The Norse head to Arcadia for another nonconference game this Friday. It is the start of three straight road games as they’ll open Dairyland Conference play at Pepin/Alma in Alma next week before playing Augusta on Sept. 9.
WHS CHS
Passing 41 101
Rushing 127 35
Total 39/168 20/136
First downs 9 5
Turnovers 0 0
Penalties 1/9 2/10
Whitehall
Rushing (att./yds.) — McCune 17/79 Sluga 12/43 Johnston 4/2
Receiving (rec./yds.) — Johnston 1/40
Passing (comp./att./yds.) — McCune 1/4/40
Tackles (solo/total) — McCune 3/7 Sluga 1/1 Kleinhans 1/7 Matejka 1/1 Smith 0/2 Coburn 0/4
