Nosworthy's night

COEUR d’ALENE — Colbey Nosworthy made big play after big play on offense all night for the Coeur d’Alene Vikings.

But perhaps his biggest play — the one that clinched the victory — came on defense.

With Trent Elstad providing the pressure on the quarterback, Nosworthy picked off an underthrown pass by Keegan Thompson at the goal line with 1 minute, 5 seconds left, sealing Coeur d’Alene’s 31-26 victory over the Rigby Trojans in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Viking Field.

Nosworthy, a two-way starter, had 13 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

“Nosworthy was pretty exceptional today, making plays all over the field,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said.

It was the second year in a row the Vikings edged the Trojans in the opener. Last year, Nosworthy caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with less than a minute remaining as Coeur d’Alene rallied from 15 points down to win 29-26 at Rigby.

“Being a senior, you’ve just got to step it up a little bit, show some leadership,” Nosworthy said.

The speedy Thompson was phenomenal for Rigby, mostly with his legs. He ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, including a 68-yard dash with 8:43 remaining that pulled the Trojans within five points. Rigby forced a Viking punt, took over at its 22 and marched to the Coeur d’Alene 12 — converting two fourth downs along the way — before Elstad and Nosworthy teamed for the deciding play.

“That’s two years in a row, I’m not sure we deserved to win that game against Rigby, ” Amos said. “Rigby’s tough; Rigby’s going to be a handful. They gave us all we wanted — and a little more than we wanted.”

Junior quarterback Jack Prka, in his first varsity start for the Vikings, passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Two of those scores went to Nosworthy, the third on a swing pass to sophomore Gunner Giulio, part of a trio of running backs on this night, who took it in from 10 yards out for an 18-7 lead early in the second quarter.

Giulio also scored on a 20-yard burst early in the third quarter to make it 24-13.

The Vikings never trailed after the first quarter, but Rigby, which outgained Cd’A 480-399, made enough plays, mostly by Thompson, to keep within striking range.

“Honestly, it’s the perfect scenario,” Amos said. “We win the game, but there’s obviously a lot we can learn from that film. I think our kids played hard, but it’s always a bit of a wakeup call when you survive something like that — we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Nosworthy made several leaping catches, including on the second touchdown of the game that put the Vikings ahead 12-7 late in the first quarter.

On Prka, “We spent a lot of time in the offseason, since January, throwing, getting to know him better,” Nosworthy said. “I feel like he’s one of the smartest QBs I’ve been around. I’m proud of him.”

Coeur d’Alene scored on its first three drives, and four of its first five. On the first score, Nosworthy caught a bubble screen to the right. But instead of heading upfield, he cut back against the grain, cut down the far sideline and dove into the end zone to complete a 6-yard scoring play which covered way more yardage than that.

“The play wasn’t designed for that,” Nosworthy said. “I just saw a D-end and another D-lineman sitting right there ready to cream me, so I just bounced around them, and did what I could. It paid off, though.”

Rigby rushed for 301 yards, with Brigham Youngstrom running for 125 yards on 19 carries, including a 32-yard run that cut the Viking lead to 18-13 at halftime.

Coeur d’Alene plays at Gonzaga Prep next Friday in the Bullpups’ season opener.

Rigby 7 6 0 13 — 26

Coeur d’Alene 12 6 6 7 — 31

First quarter

Rig — Keegan Thompson 1 run (Trey Saathoff kick), 9:00

Cd’A — Colbey Nosworthy 6 pass from Jack Prka (kick failed), 3:34

Cd’A — Nosworthy 4 pass from Prka (run failed), :43

Second quarter

Cd’A — Gunner Giulio 10 pass from Prka (kick failed), 8:18

Rig — Brigham Youngstrom 32 run (kick failed), 3:50

Third quarter

Cd’A — Giulio 20 run (pass failed), 9:20

Fourth quarter

Rig — Thompson 2 run (pass failed), 11:03

Cd’A — Brennan Crawford 30 run (Eli Jolly kick), 8:54

Rig — Thompson 68 run (Saathoff kick), 8:43

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Rig, Thompson 24-164, Youngstrom 19-125, Falevai 4-12. Cd’A, Crawford 10-53, Elstad 7-46, Guilio 7-38, Prka 4-(minus 7), Nosworthy 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Rig, Thompson 15-27-2-179. Cd’A, Prka 27-38-1-270.

RECEIVING — Rig, Edwards 3-57, Fredricksen 7-60, Larsen 2-41, Youngstrom 1-11, Falevai 2-10. Cd’A — Nosworthy 13-135, Brown 4-49, Elstad 2-9, Garitone 1-19, Guilio 3-35, Crawford 1-8, Schueller 1-8, Brett 1-2, Cummings 1-5.