Colfax coach calls quarterback ‘best kept secret in the Foothills’ following win over Galt

The two have decades of history together in football, small-ball programs in which the schools are named after the towns.

Colfax and Galt played every year from 1978 through 1993 as members of the Golden Empire League before realignment ended the rivalry. The series resumed in 2021, and it played out again Friday night just off Highway 99 in the southern tip of Sacramento County.

Colfax rolled 44-13 behind its 6-foot-5 quarterback River Roach to move the Falcons to 2-1 on the season and 3-0 against the Warriors since the rivalry resumed.

After a chippy matchup a year ago in Colfax that led to multiple ejections, including Warriors coaches who are no longer with the program, both teams were ready for an intense rematch. Just without the fisticuffs.

Galt opened the scoring with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Roman Tapia to Kayson Jones, but it went downhill from there for the Warriors. Roach passed for 200 yards and two touchdowns and the Falcons’ defense dominated. Colfax coach Jason Stowers called Roach “the best-kept secret in the Foothills.”

Roach had a 54-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Lombard and a 5-yarder to Austin Liden.

Roach is in his third year at the position for Colfax and his second year in the varsity ranks for a program that has trotted out fine passers for decades. Stowers said 2021 was a “growing” year for Roach. Roach grew more than five inches in the last year, maturing as an athlete and leader.

A native of Oakland, Roach moved to the Colfax area in the second grade. Roach said he initially considered giving up football his freshman year. He was at first a receiver. Then he got hooked, and then a growth spurt.

“Yeah, I grew a lot in the past year,” Roach said. “It’s been a big help in my development as a quarterback, and so far this year it’s definitely been a main part of how I’ve been able to change my game.”

Stowers had high praise for his emerging star.

”He’s the first to come to practice, last to leave, and just loves the game,” Stowers said. “Enjoyable to coach, humble, a team leader — and he can sling the ball.”

Roach said he hopes to continue his football career in college. Stowers said Roach will continue to get looks beyond a couple of junior colleges that have already looked into him.

“He’s had a little interest, but I expect that to pick up,” Stowers said. “The way that he’s matured, how he plays and how he carries himself has just changed a ton in the past year. He’s a top, top talent, and I expect him to continue to improve as the season goes along.”

The Falcons entered Friday with an opening 35-24 loss to Truckee and a 49-6 rout over Woodland.

Stowers is in his second season as the head coach of the Falcons, replacing one of the region’s all-time great coaches in Tony Martello, now coaching the Colfax girls flag football team. Stowers returned to the program after previously working as an assistant for nine years with stops at Del Oro and Woodcreek.

Stowers said his team has plenty to work on, but he thought they were moving in the right direction after the win.

Jack Massett had a kickoff return touchdown for Colfax, which also received short scoring runs from Malachi Thompson, Austin Liden and Dylan Gudino.

“We had a slow start tonight,” Stowers said. “But we were able to turn it around and end on the right note. Obviously, we have a long way to go, but I think for Week 3 it was a solid game for us.”

First-year Galt coach Jason Burgin said his small roster requires him to play a lot of players both ways. Burgin singled out senior Hunter Freeman, a running back, linebacker, punter and kicker. The Warriors are 2-1.

Burgin stressed his hope of building a new culture for a storied program working its way back to relevance. The team made a point of honoring veterans and any service personnel before the game. The program wants to start new traditions and create a winning mentality. Among their team’s quirks: A player takes a shot of syrup when the Warriors get a “pancake” block.

Colfax will face unbeaten Union Mine next week while Galt visits Natomas.

This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 12:12 AM.