EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK ONE by Kerry Sherman

EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK ONE

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

The defending state champion, Haxtun, got a huge Zero Week victory over the two-time defending champion from New Mexico, beating Melrose 46-0. The Fightin’ Bulldogs are off this week, but almost everyone else in the MHPR Coaches and Media poll will be in action. Here is our quick look at the games involving those teams in Week One.

THURSDAY

#2 AKRON (0-0) VS CALHAN (0-0)

Last year… Kolten Randel had a break-out game in his first varsity contest, completing eight of 12 passes for 198 yards and five touchdowns, as Akron raced to a 40-0 victory. Jakzon Livesay caught three of the scoring passes, and Jace Curtis snagged one. Randel and Curtis each had an interception to lead the defense to the shutout. Riley Cochran led the Bulldogs with 35 rushing yards, and Jeremy Billington topped the Calhan defense with six tackles.

Series history… Akron leads 3-0 in the MaxPreps era.

FRIDAY

#3 SANFORD (0-0) VS #9 WEST GRAND (0-0)

Last year… West Grand jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead, only to see Sanford grab a 22-14 halftime advantage. West Grand regained control with another 14-0 frame in the third, and held on to take the Battle of Mustangs by a 28-22 score. Blake Terryberry ran for two scores and threw for another, leading West Grand on offense. Trason Gartrell scored on a run and a punt return, and stood atop the tackle board for Sanford with 14.

Series history… West Grand has a 3-0 lead.

#4 MANCOS (0-0) VS MELROSE, NM (0-1)

Last year… Melrose racked up more than 400 yards of offense, and used a defensive effort that included three takeaways to beat Mancos 50-22 last season. Evan Woody and Michael Resner had a rushing TD apiece for the Bluejays, and Resner finished with 10 tackles and an interception. Jacob Martin added seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

Series history… Melrose holds a 3-2 lead.

#5 MCCLAVE (1-0) VS ELBERT (1-0)

Last week… Trailing 12-8 early in the fourth quarter, Drew Howe tossed a go-ahead TD to Tuff Kelley, and the McClave defense sealed the 16-12 victory with a pair of fourth down stops down the stretch. The defense had four tacklers in double figures, led by JR Mungaray with 16. Kelley tallied 15, while Mason Barr and Cope Meston added 14 and 11, respectively. There wasn’t as much drama for Elbert, who rolled Belleview Christian 51-0.

Last year… Barr ran for 162 yards and a touchdown, and Kelley added another TD on the ground, as the Cardinals pulled away for a 40-12 win on the road. Barr contributed an interception on defense, while Kelley and Ryan Steinbrunn each added a sack. Ethan Tesman threw for 117 yards, with a TD pass to Eli Cornell, and Kaleb Morano returned an interception 53 yards for Elbert’s other score.

Series history… McClave leads 2-1.

#7 DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN (0-0) AT DENVER CHRISTIAN (0-0)

Last year… A second quarter scoop-and-score by Hawkins Flanagan helped Dayspring Christian build a 12-0 halftime lead. They would add to it in the second half and notch a 38-12 victory. The Eagles had a big game on the ground, with Elijah Martin gaining 232 yards with two touchdowns, and Jackson Polk scoring two more. Polk also had one as a receiver. Denver Christian’s Quinn Barkema led all players with a dozen tackles. Nine of those were solos.

Series history… Dayspring Christian has won both prior meetings.

#10 HOEHNE (0-0) AT #11 SIMLA (0-0)

Last year… Simla’s defense made a number of game-changing plays in last year’s match-up, recording six takeaways, returning three for scores. Hayden Pfost racked up six tackles, and Ethan Kissam had five for the Bear Cubs. Jake Magninat ran for a touchdown for the Farmers, and Anthony Sandoval led all runners with 93 yards.

Series history… Simla has won three straight and leads 4-3 overall.

#12 BYERS (0-0) AT ROCKY FORD (0-0)

Last year… Byers jumped out to a 24-0 first quarter lead and the Bulldogs had the mercy clock rolling by the intermission, leading 40-0 in what would become a 52-8 victory. Parker Ebert and Logan Hielscher tallied a fumble recovery apiece, and Benjamin McPherson returned a kick-off for a TD. Shayne Gonzales caught two passes for the Meloneers, including their lone touchdown.

Series history… Byers leads 4-3, but last year was the first meeting between the teams in eight-man.

#13 NORWOOD (0-0) AT HAYDEN (0-0)

Last year… Defense was the name of the game last year, as each came up with three interceptions. Carson Campbell had two for the Tigers, while Owen Tackett and Holten McCluer had one each for Norwood. Brycen Rummel and Cole Bray connected on a pair of touchdown passes to help the Mavericks eke out the 12-8 victory.

Series history… Norwood has a 3-1 lead.

#15 LAS ANIMAS (0-0) VS SANGRE DE CRISTO (1-0)

Last week… After trailing Holly 14-8 in the second quarter, Sangre de Cristo exploded to open the season with a 36-14 victory.

Last year… Las Animas ran out to an 18-0 halftime advantage and pulled away for a 49-24 win. Braydon Ortiz only completed one pass for the Trojans, but it went for a 56-yard touchdown to Orion Martinez, who also ran for 243 yards and two TD. Nicholas Duran scored three times on the ground for Las Animas.

Series history… Las Animas leads 2-1.

#16 MERINO (0-0) VS CROWLEY COUNTY (0-0)

Last year… Merino had three backs over 100 yards, including Jacob Frank (122 yards, two TD), as the Rams rolled up more than 500 rushing yards in a 60-14 victory. Bouxe Smith added 53 yards and a touchdown. Seth Schulz threw a TD pass to Donaven Bell, and Derreck Buford returned one of his two fumble recoveries for a Charger touchdown.

Series history… Merino leads 2-0, including a 44-38 win in the 2021 playoffs.

#18 FOWLER (0-0) AT SWINK (0-0)

Last year… Brock True threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns, one to Bryce Froman, and added 88 yards and another TD on the ground for Fowler, who edged the Lions 33-22. True was also one of six Grizzlies to record double digit tackles, finishing with 12. Wade Clemmensen also had a dozen. Kyler Lagergren had five stops, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for Swink. Logan Marshall added five tackles for the Lions.

Series history… Fowler has won 10 of the last 12 and 14 of 19 overall.

SATURDAY

#8 DOVE CREEK (0-0) VS #14 PLATEAU VALLEY (0-0)

Last year… Dove Creek piled up 385 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, as the Bulldogs went on to a 36-12 win over the Cowboys. Josh Kibel amassed 202 yards with four touchdowns, and Nicholas Aragon added 168 yards and one TD. Trevan Ivie notched 14 tackles and four sacks for the Bulldogs. Colter Ralston threw for 189 yards and a touchdown, with London Mitchell on the receiving end of the scoring toss. Hunter White led all tacklers with 15.

Series history… Dove Creek has won six straight and 16 of 18.