Shadow Ridge quarterback Coen Coloma (8) celebrates after his team defeats Arbor View, 17-14, during a football game at Arbor View high school Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | 11:40 p.m.
Shadow Ridge football coach Travis Foster had a lot of confidence in his players entering Thursday night’s playoff game at Arbor View.
The Mustangs reached the state championship game the past two seasons, meaning many of his contributors had six playoff games of experience.
“They’ve played a lot of football over the last two years,” Foster said. “That’s like two-thirds of a season in playoff games alone.”
That experience was paramount in Shadow Ridge’s 17-14 victory, when the Mustangs had a goal-line stand in the first half and closed the game with an interception in the final two minutes to seal the win.
Quarterback Coen Coloma, a three-year starter, rushed for a pair of touchdowns. He also had the game-clinching interception.
Keau Hadley also had a few big plays, including an interception in the first quarter that led to Shadow Ridge’s initial touchdown. Later in the game he had a long rush to set the table for another score.
“Without No. 5 (Hadley) we would have been in a world of hurt,” Foster said.
Shadow Ridge advances to play Liberty in the Class 5A-Division I semifinals. Last week, the Mustangs lost by just three points to Liberty.
“Our kids believe,” Foster said. “They are playing extremely well.”
