UNION CITY, CA - The James Logan Colts stopped the Liberty Lions two yards short of completing a comeback, moving on to round two of the NCS playoffs with a 14-7 victory.
Down 14-7 with a fourth and goal from the Colts' two-yard line, the Lions called a run play to the outside. Defensive back Tino Mafi sniffed out the play and took down the running back short of the goal-line, effectively ending the game. Chants of “Mafi!” came from the Logan sideline, and the crowd went wild as the score remained 14-7.
"It felt good to make that block, it put a lot of pressure on the d-line, and fortunately I was able to make the tackle," Mafi said.
On the offensive end, the Colts' converted running back and Nevada commit Ahki Muhammad dominated the Lions with a total of 125 rushing yards and both of the Colts' touchdowns.
“Ahki is a great player out there with me, together we are able to just get things done for our team," said Colts quarterback Christian Leota.
Muhammad put the Colts on the scoreboard first with a 24-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter for a 6-0 lead, and then brought the crowd to its feet with an electrifying 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half. After a two-point conversion, the Colts increased their lead to 14-0.
Liberty’s Alonzo Taylor scored the Lions' lone touchdown on Friday, a 2- yard rushing touchdown in the third. It was a heartbreaking loss for the team, the fans gathered around players on the field after the game showing their support as both teams played a hard fought game.
Taylor said, “We were ready and hopeful to get to state, we just couldn’t pull it off tonight. It was unfortunate, but we gave it our all.”
Logan will be moving on to play Deer Valley next week in the second round of NCS.
Looking ahead to Deer Valley, said: “The D-line is going to have work hard to contain their quarterback. He is very slippery and fast. We’ll be working hard this week in practice and be watching more film.”
