Late TD propels Onaga to huge district win over Jackson Heights

It was a monumental district matchup between the Jackson Heights Cobras and the Onaga Buffaloes, with Onaga winning 12-6. 

The Cobras got the ball to start the game and marched down the field, but were turned away by the Buffs defense, forcing a turnover on downs. The Jackson Heights Cobras defense did the same though as both teams traded turnover on downs. Onaga did have a TD pass taken off the board for an illegal man down field penalty. 

On the Cobras third drive of the game, junior quarterback Kolby Bowhay raced down the middle of the field for a 58-yard touchdown to put Heights up 6-0. That would be our halftime score. 

Onaga got the ball to start the 2nd half and marched right down the field, with junior running back, Luke Poell capping the drive with a 6-yard TD run to make it 6-6. 

That would be the score until about 2:00 minutes to go in the game. The Cobras had the ball 4th and 2 on their own 28 yard line, but would turn it over on downs. The Buffaloes took full advantage, with sophomore quarterback Ryder Kolterman rushing from 1-yard out to put Onaga up 12-6 with 27 seconds left. 

Jackson Heights had one last chance, but were tackled at the Onaga 15 yard line as time expired. Luke Poell and Ryder Kolterman of Onaga were named co-players of the game, with Poell rushing 19 times for 116 yards and a TD. Kolterman had 18 carries for 104 yards and a TD, he also was 2-6 passing for 30 yards. 

In the loss, Kolby Bowhay had 14 carries for 78 yards and a TD. Tatum Eisenbarth had 13 carries for 59 yards and over 15 tackles defensively. 

Jackson Heights falls to 3-3 on the season and 0-2 in district play, they are home for Centralia next week. Onaga moves to 5-1 and 2-0 in district play, they are at Valley Heights next week. It was the first time Onaga beat Jackson Heights in football since 2014, tying the all-time series at 18 apiece. It's Onaga's best start to a season since 2001.