Like a bowling ball, Colgate keeps Nogales rolling

COY COLGATE

The rundown: Nogales, senior, FB/LB, 5-9, 215

Who he is: A human bowling ball, according to what some opposing coaches said. Colgate is heading into his fourth season as a varsity starter, and is hoping to rekindle some of the magic from his freshman year, when Nogales made an unprecedented run to the Division III state semifinals. Since that memorable 10-win season, however, the Apaches have won just eight games total, playing in Division II. But with the move back down a level because of the realignment and the experience Colgate brings to the field, the expectation is for the Apaches to at least qualify for the state playoffs.

The two-way starter and team captain prefers playing defense because he likes hitting people, but believes he’s more valuable to the team at fullback, getting blocks down and creating holes. Colgate, who also does the longsnapping, said he added roughly 20 pounds to both his bench press and squat, and can now hit 315 and 515 in the two lifts, respectively.

Proof he’s good: The numbers. Colgate led the Apaches with 13.2 tackles per game in addition to nine tackles-for-loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Furthermore, he was second on the team in rushing yards last season with 405. He also scored five touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry.

Second-year coach Kevin Kuhm voiced a desire to give his hard-nosed senior a much bigger role as a ball carrier compared to 2014, when he averaged just 5.7 touches a game. Kuhm also called Colgate the quarterback of the defense and said he’s like a coach on the field because of his experience.

“It’s nice to have an extra set of eyes on the field and someone who understands what we’re doing and helps relay that message to the rest of the players,” Kuhm said.

Season goal: Colgate wants to continue playing in college, but he hasn’t landed a scholarship offer. He has been in contact with NAU, Northern Colorado and San Diego State, and is hoping an offer could come during the season.

The goal from the team standpoint is to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time since 2012. Aside from that, Colgate doesn’t have any individual goals at this point, but said he will likely come up with something once the season gets going. “It’s not time to be focused on myself, it’s more time to be focused on the team,” he said.

He said it: “He is very physical; he plays through every block and runs through tackles. And when he has the ball in his hands, he’s running through arm tackles and running over guys, just like a bowling ball.” – Kuhm