The Colts play defense, too.

Quarterback Steve Romero completed 20 of 36 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, but Cottonwood's under-publicized defense dominated Bonneville during the Colts' 44-7 quarterfinal victory.

The Lakers managed only 148 yards of total offense, including 36 on the meaningless final drive of the game.

Bonneville's only touchdown came after Cottonwood had built a 28-0 lead, and it capped a drive that was aided by two personal foul calls on the Colts.

The Cottonwood defense also scored the break-it-open touchdown.

Early in the second quarter, end James Washington read a Bonneville flea-flicker, stepped in front of a lateral pass back to Laker quarterback Todd Aubrey and rumbled 28 yards for a score that made it 21-0.

Washington's memory of his touchdown?

"I thought I was going to get tackled," he said.

Said Thomas: "That was a great play. Our defensive line is very young; he's only a sophomore. So that was a good bonus right there because it was huge - a score by the defense."

Referring to Cottonwood's 31-24 win over Orem in the first round, Thomas said, "Our defense really picked it up from last week. They did everything we asked them to do. . . . We're really happy with them."

Offensively, Romero was nearly unstoppable. So was Isi Sofele, who rushed 27 times for 134 yards and a touchdown. He gained 90 yards on 14 carries in the first half.

"When [Romero] makes smart decisions with the football, he's dangerous," Thomas said. "And today he was right on. . . . With him and [Sofele] back there, it's a two-headed monster."

luhm@sltrib.com