Kinzer's pass completion helps keep Colome's game-winning drive alive

COLOME — Terrance Kinzer rushed for 74 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night, but the junior quarterback’s biggest play of the game came on his only pass attempt.

On 4th-and-8 around midfield in the closing minutes of a tie football game between Colome and White River, the Cowboys’ quarterback threw a pass on a wet and windy night that saw gusts of more than 60 mph.

The ball was hauled in by Lane Fawcett for a gain of 18 yards to keep the drive alive and Kinzer would eventually score on a quarterback sneak with 20 seconds remaining as Colome defeated White River 28-22.

For his efforts, Kinzer has been named The Daily Republic’s athlete of the week, an award voted on by the newspaper’s sports staff.

“That was his only pass of the game and I was comfortable with the choice,” Colome coach Kevin Keiser said. “He made an excellent throw in those windy conditions. We had the ball in the hands that we wanted to.”

Kinzer said the called play was a pass-run option and needing eight yards meant he would likely have to throw the ball.

“I was definitely nervous,” he said about having to make a throw late in the fourth quarter without having attempted a pass to that point, “but I knew I’d be ready. I had the option to run or pass it, but when I was rolling out I saw just that little spot where Lane was open and I threw it.”

Kinzer has completed 21 of 47 passes on the season for 401 yards, but his lone pass in Thursday’s win was arguably the toughest.

Kinzer has also rushed for 825 yards on the season — second on the team to Andrew Odden’s 961 yards — and leads the team with 17 touchdowns on the ground. He’s also the team’s leading tackler with 72 — including a team-high 15 in the final game of the regular season — and has five interceptions as a defensive back.

“He’s one of those safeties that can make plays on the line of scrimmage and get interceptions because he’s so fast and physical,” Keiser said.

After defeating the previously unbeaten Tigers, the Cowboys host a first-round playoff game against Bison at 6:30 p.m. today in Colome.

Colome (7-1) enters postseason play as the No. 2 seed in Region 4 and is ranked No. 2 in Class 9B. Kinzer believes his team’s six-game winning streak has given it the confidence it needs in the playoffs.

“I have confidence in my teammates and I know I just have to do my job,” he said. “We just have to look forward to playing Bison and we can’t dwell on the past.”

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