Borah High football opened the Chester Grey era Thursday night with a 41-12 victory over Columbia at Bronco Stadium.

And fittingly, the game turned into a track meet for the coach who led Borah's track and field teams to a combined eight boys and girls 5A state championships over the past five years.

"We knew these guys would break through tonight," said Grey, who celebrated a state title with the girls track and field team on the same field four months ago.

Abraham Naway and Daniel McSurdy, who both sprint for Borah in the spring, stole the show on the blue turf with a combined 289 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Naway scored on three consecutive carries in the second half that covered 21, 37 and 44 yards. McSurdy scored once in the second quarter on a 12-yard carry and added a 31-yard TD run in the third.

"We're just excited," said McSurdy, who finished with 137 yards on 15 carries and caught three passes for 45 yards. "Usually we're on the other side. But we really just came together like a family and the O-line did a great job. All we had to do is run."

Borah fell behind early as Columbia's Hayden Walters took a handoff on the first play from scrimmage and ran 80 yards to give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead after they missed the extra point.

The Lions couldn't gain any traction on their first possession and were forced to punt. But on the ensuing Columbia drive, defensive lineman Laramie Bryan picked off a pass from Wildcats quarterback Doug Christoph and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.

Borah led 7-6 with 9 minute, 9 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but Columbia running back Spencer Hall put the Wildcats back on top with a 66-yard TD run on the next play from scrimmage.

The 12-7 lead was the last for Columbia, however, as Borah's defense settled down and Naway and McSurdy ran wild.

"It was just all about the defense giving us the ball, the offensive line, the wide receivers, the fullbacks and the coaches telling us it's time to step up," said Naway, who ran for 152 yards on eight carries. "All the work in the summer was for this."

Borah outgained Columbia 426-311 in total yards and ran for 371 yards against Columbia's 214.

TODAY'S MOST READ STORIES

• Boise man charged with DUI, leaving an accident after hit-and-run crash in Eagle Sunday
• Boise man accused of taking pictures under women’s skirts Sunday arrested for video voyeurism
• Man found dead in pool at Mountain Home residence Saturday identified
• Winstead Park residents want off-leash hours for dog in select city parks
• 36-year-old Boise woman and 30-year-old half-brother arrested, charged with incest
• University of New Haven decides to go blue, too
• Testimony: Roberts confessed to 2003 murder of Nampa couple
• One of three Boise peregrine fledglings dies on a power pole
• 2 boys injured when shot during parade
• Man drowns at Fourth of July party in Mountain Home