9/9(TH)
Freshman: Colton 36 Chaffey 0
JV: Chaffey 0 Colton 35
9/10(F)
Varsity: Colton 55 Chaffey 8
Article about Colton vs. Chaffey Football Game
ONTARIO - Who would have thought that Richard Bray, an assistant at run-oriented Colton High School for a quarter of a century, would win his first game throwing the ball.
With Jordan Mixon at the throttle, Colton opened its season with a spectacular 55-8 victory over Chaffey, spoiling the Tigers' debut in newly-renovated Graber Field. Mixon completed 8 of 9 passes, half for touchdowns, for 200 yards.
When's the last time the Yellowjackets accounted for that many yards through the air? Actually, the better question would be when was the last time Colton passed for more yards than it rushed for."
"I think we did it a couple of times under (former coach) Harold (Strauss)," said Bray, an assistant at Colton since 1984. "But we had to loosen them up and get them from playing eight in the box."
Mixon did just that, throwing three of his scoring passes in the second quarter as Colton ended the suspense before the band could warm up. Mixon hit Rodney Hardrick with a 8-yard in the end zone corner and followed four minutes later with a similar 35-yard strike.
Right before halftime, Mixon and Tyler Ervin connected on a 43-yard corner route to the end zone for a 34-0 Colton lead.
But it just wasn't offense that powered Colton against the Tigers (1-1). The 'Jackets held Chaffey's potent run game to a mere 106 yards, but only 10 in the first half. Furthermore, Colton also scored three defensive touchdowns.
Hardrick rambled 18 yards with a fumbled punt snap and Devan Hussey galloped 85 yards with an interception on Chaffey's lone pass attempt of the night. A play layer, Victor Quintero scooped and scored with a 16-yard fumble recovery.
"Outside the win, the thing I'm most pleased with was all our balance," Bray said. "We made adjustment by the end of the first quarter, we didn't wait until halftime.
"Our defense was tremendous, 11 kids playing their heart out."
The effort was not surprising to Mixon or Earvin.
"We were prepared for this," Ervin said. "Our game plan was to be more physical than they were. I think this sends a message that we're coming out stronger his year."
Mixon knew before the game it was Bray's plan to open the offense.
"That's the difference between he and Coach Strauss," Mixon said. "He wanted to open it up. I have to give thanks to my linemen, they did a wonderful job."
Mixon was seldom under pressure, which didn't set well with Chaffey coach Chris Brown.
"First, I want to congratulate Coach Bray on his first win after being an assistant for such a long time. I think that's great." Brown said. "I can't recall a loss like this in recent time, but it's all my fault.
"I didn't prepare my team. But the only good thing is that this wasn't a (Mt. Baldy) league game. We have some work to do."
