EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL PREVIEW – WEEK FIVE
BY: KERRY SHERMAN
Several of the top teams in the MileHigh Prep Report had byes last week, resulting in very little movement. There are a few league clashes on the schedule this week, but most of the 8-man teams across the state will be finishing up their non-conference slate. The action gets started with one ranked team playing on Thursday. Top-ranked McClave is on a second straight bye week.
THURSDAY
#6 MANCOS BLUEJAYS (2-1) AT DOLORES BEARS (2-2) 7PM
Last week… Mancos was one of the teams with a bye last week, so the most recent action for the Bluejays was two weeks ago when they eked out a 36-32 victory over #10 Merino. They ran for 345 yards in the win, led by Jonah Ritter‘s 138 and two touchdowns. Kaiden Wyatt added 112 yards and Brandon Vannest tallied 95 to go with 180 and two TD through the air. Dolores broke a two-game losing streak with a 48-16 win over visiting Whitehorse (UT), with Trayton Traweek running for three scores and passing for two more. Michael Rantz was on the receiving end of both scoring tosses and also ran for 150 yards and a TD. Defensively, the Bears recovered five fumbles, two by Jacob Stepp.
Series history…Dolores leads 5-2 in the MaxPreps era (2004-current), but since dropping to 8-man, the Bears have lost both meetings without scoring a point. Mancos has won 64-0 and 70-0 the last two years. This is the Mountain opener for both teams.
FRIDAY
#2 HAXTUN FIGHTIN’ BULLDOGS (3-1) VS FRONT RANGE CHRISTIAN (1-2) 6PM
Last week… The Fightin’ Bulldogs recorded their second straight shutout, blanking Crowley County 62-0, with the defense forcing four turnovers. Ryland Wolff had one on a pick-six. Grant Statz led with 10 tackles, and Ryan Davis blocked a punt. Overall, eight different players had a touchdown in the contest. Front Range Christian was on the opposite side of a shutout, as the Falcons were held scoreless by Elbert in a 56-0 outing. Torin Brautigam provided a bright spot on defense, racking up 10 tackles and a fumble recovery. Luke Jerome had a hand in 118 of the 157 yards the Falcons generated from scrimmage, including a team-leading 61 on the ground.
Series history… First meeting in the MaxPreps era.
#3 SIMLA CUBS (2-1) VS SEDGWICK COUNTY COUGARS (2-2) 7PM
Last week… Simla had a bye following its 58-52 triple OT loss to #1 McClave the week prior. Caston Cox threw for 326 yards and four TD, and also ran for 88 yards and two scores in that loss. Wyatt Stanko caught 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Trevin Kochera (9/94/1) and Tatum Kochera (7/98/2) combined for 16 catches, 192 yards, and three TD. The Cougars came off their bye and downed Hoehne 40-6. SedgCo’s defense held the Farmers to 111 yards of offense.
Series history… Sedgwick County leads 3-2, but Simla has won each of the last two years, including a 41-6 decision last season.
#7 DOVE CREEK BULLDOGS (3-0) AT MONTICELLO, UT BUCKAROOS (3-2) 7PM
Last week… The Bulldogs had a bye after beating Escalante (NM) 50-6 in week three. Dove Creek’s defense recorded a dozen sacks, four by Trevan Ivie, who also forced and recovered a fumble. Sheldon Gardner and Nicholas Aragon both had two sacks and a pick. Josh Kibel ran for two scores and threw for two. Monticello lost to Norwood, 32-14.
Series history… Dove Creek leads 2-0, winning 52-22 two years ago and 58-18 last year.
#8 WEST GRAND MUSTANGS (4-0, 1-0) VS PLATEAU VALLEY COWBOYS (3-1, 1-0) 7PM
Last week… West Grand built a 46-0 halftime lead at Lake County on the way to a 46-8 victory. Blake Terryberry threw five touchdowns, four to Joe Probst, who finished with five catches for 145 yards. Ethan Glave pounced on a fumble for the team’s lone takeaway. Colter Ralston was on fire for the Cowboys in their 50-34 win over Vail Christian, completing 20 of 26 passes for 311 yards and six TD. Three of those went to London Mitchell (7/170/3) with two more going to Hunter White. White and Virgil Kuper both recorded two interceptions.
Series history… West Grand leads 8-3, but Plateau Valley snapped a six-game losing streak with a 48-36 victory last year.
#10 MERINO RAMS (2-2) AT ROCKY FORD (1-2) 6PM
Last week… Merino broke a two-game slide with a 54-12 win at Lyons. The Rams defense was stout, holding Lyons to 127 yards of offense. Rocky Ford got its first win in 8-man, edging Walsenburg 24-20, as Isaiah Gallegos scored twice on the ground. Jake Baca got the defense on the board with a pick-six, one of three interceptions by the Meloneers. Zander Messick and Xavier Preciado had the others.
Series history… First meeting in the MaxPreps era.
SATURDAY
#5 AKRON RAMS (4-0) AT #9 DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN EAGLES (4-0) 1PM
Last week… Kolten Randel threw for 124 yards with a TD to Caleb Poss, and also ran for 161, including a 94-yard touchdown in Akron’s 55-7 win over Holly. Anderson Filla and Jace Curtis had two rushing scores apiece. Akron’s defense recorded four takeaways, three interceptions (two by Randel) and a scoop-and-score by Clay Axtell. Elijah Martin rushed for 141 yards and two TD for the Eagles, and Peyton Coleman scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the third quarter of the 28-18 win over Las Animas. Jackson Polk registered three sacks in his game-high 18 tackles.
Series history… Dayspring Christian leads 10-5, but Akron’s won the last two. This is the Plains opener for both sides.
RANGELY PANTHERS (3-1, 1-0) AT VAIL CHRISTIAN SAINTS (2-1, 0-1) 1PM
Last week… Rangely picked up its second straight win, topping Soroco 48-6 in the Northwest opener for both teams. The Panthers erupted for 32 first quarter points. Jordan Irwin ran for 126 yards and two scores, while Gage Fielder added 76 yards and two touches on the ground. Braden Lucas blocked a punt and Marcos Quintana recovered a fumble as the Panthers beat Soroco for the fifth straight time. Vail Christian turned the ball over five times in the 50-34 loss to Plateau Valley, four coming on interceptions. The Saints struggled on pass defense, allowing more than 300 yards and six scores through the air.
Series history… Vail Christian leads 5-3, with wins in each of the last three years.
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