EPHRAIM — Eighth ranked Snow College coasted to an easy victory yesterday in its season opener at home against Columbia Basin 80-6.
The Badgers were taking on a team that is a start-up program which made its debut yesterday, and its roster size is only 43 players compared to Snow's 125. Snow, however, was excited to just get a game under its belt.
"Positive is our players got to get out on the field and get some live reps," said coach Steve Coburn. "Really none of the guys out there were ones we really relied on last year and now we have that to build on."
Most of the Badger offense hasn't started a game since 2007. Sophomore quarterback Colter Smith (Ogden High School) was making his first start in six years dating back to when he was in high school.
The offense had 570 total yards and 398 came from the running game. Travis Zacharie led the running game with eight carries for 123 yards and added three touchdown runs and Smith completed nine of his 16 passes for 136 yards with four touchdowns.
"We still have some things we got to work on," said Smith. "Overall we got the passing game going and the run game and just got the jitters out mostly."
The Badger defense only allowed 75 total yards to Basin and had four sacks for a loss of 27 yards. Defensive lineman Al Lapuaho (West Valley) led the way with four tackles and linebacker Jordan Riveria contributed three tackles.
"I liked the way the our defensive line played, even though it's a young group," said Coburn. "Other than that the touchdown we kept them out of the end zone."
Snow will have its bye week next Saturday and will be preparing to play 17th-ranked Georgia Military on the road on Sept. 11 at 11 a.m.