Cottonwood started hot, stopping a fake punt by East, then feeding the ball to tailback Isi Sofele six straight times before quarterback Steve Romero scampered in for a 5-yard score to put the Colts up 7-0.

The second quarter brought even more offense for the Colts, who exploded for 29 points in the period. Sofele would run for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns, and Romero made an impact through the air, tossing a 20-yard touchdown strike to receiver Jason Lundquist. Cottonwood also forced and recovered two fumbles, one of which was run back by Lundquist, as the Cottonwood lead ballooned to a seemingly solid 36-0.

But after that, the Cottonwood offense sputtered, keeping its defense on the field for most of the time. As the Colts' defenders tired, they allowed the Leopards' offense to score 20 unanswered points quickly.

East's rapid-fire return startled the Colts to say the least, but coach Cecil Thomas said he was confident his kids would pull it out.

"The kids did a great job really executing in the first half," said Thomas, "I'm a little disappointed about the third quarter, but we were able to do what we need to do to get the win the end."

As it turned out, the Colts had no problem closing it out.

After Sofele punched in his third touchdown on the ground - this time shimmying and slashing from 69 yards out to bring his total to 166 yards on the ground - the game and Region 6's top spot belonged to the Colts.