EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK FOUR by Kerry Sherman

EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK FOUR

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

We get one match-up of ranked opponents in week four, and three of the top-10 teams in the latest MHPR Coaches and Media poll have byes. As such, there are only six games involving ranked teams on the docket.

FRIDAY

#2 AKRON (3-0) AT HOLLY (0-3)

Last week… After leading 8-6 midway through the first quarter, Akron blew things wide open against Fowler, scoring on a pair of TD runs longer than 50 yards to end the first quarter up 22-6. The Rams would roll to a 46-6 victory. Jace Curtis romped for 138 yards and three touchdowns on four carries, Jakzon Livesay scored on a 51-yard run, and Kolten Randel completed a 69-yard TD pass to Mason Porteus. Randel led the defense with 17 tackles and an interception, one of three by the Rams. Livesay and Curtis had the others. Holly had to forfeit its game with Custer County.

Series history… Akron has won two in a row and five of eight. Last year, Randel ran for 161 yards with a TD, and threw for 124 and another touchdown in a 55-7 victory. Curtis added 91 yards and two scores on the ground. Defensively, Randel picked off two passes. For the Wildcats, Jessie Pizarro caught six passes for 82 yards and the lone touchdown. Dryvor Hatcher forced and recovered a fumble.

#4 SANFORD (2-1) AT FOWLER (1-2)

Last week…Trason Gartrell ran for 110 yards and the lone touchdown in Sanford’s 36-8 loss to top-ranked Haxtun. JD Faucette added 76 rushing yards, but the Mustangs were hampered by a pair of turnovers in the loss. Gartrell led the defense with a dozen tackles. Brock True rushed for 77 yards and threw for 74 in Fowler’s 46-6 loss to Akron. He ran for the only touchdown scored by the Grizzlies. Bronson Damgaard added 66 yards on the ground.

Series history… Sanford has won the last three meetings and five of the last seven. In last year’s 42-28 victory, Gartrell had 191 on the ground and 105 through the air, with two touchdowns each way. Faucette also topped the century mark in the rushing game, picking up 109 yards and scoring a touchdown. True ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns, and threw for 118 yards for the Grizzlies.

#5 SEDGWICK COUNTY (1-1) AT HOEHNE (1-1)

Last week… Sedgwick County was on its bye week, following an 18-16 win over #6 Mancos in week two. Owen Harris (183) and Brady Mollendor (115) combined for close to 300 yards and three touchdowns in that win. Hoehne came off its bye and downed Sargent 50-6 last week. Brody Silvey rushed for 200 yards and four TD, and Jake Magninat added 156 yards and two scores for Hoehne.

Series history… Sedgwick County owns a 9-0 lead, including a 40-6 decision last season. Mollendor and Nathan Gonzales had a rushing touchdown apiece for the Cougars, while Antonio Cantoria scored the lone TD for the Farmers on a reception.

#8 PLATEAU VALLEY (3-0) AT VAIL CHRISTIAN (1-1)

Last week… It was another close call for Plateau Valley, who got 286 yards and four passing touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown, from Colter Ralston in a 40-36 win over Norwood. London Mitchell caught 12 passes for 214 yards and three TD. Austin Grundy led the Cowboy defense with 14 tackles. Vail Christian bounced back from a season-opening loss to Norwood to beat Lyons 42-20. No stats were available for the Saints.

Series history… Plateau Valley broke an 11-game losing streak in the series last year, beating the Saints 50-34. Vail Christian still leads 11-3. Ralston threw for 311 yards and six touchdowns.

SATURDAY

#1 HAXTUN (3-0) AT CROWLEY COUNTY (0-2)

Last week… Zach Statz (137 yards, 1 TD), Coleman Firme (122 yards, 1 TD), and Colin Cone (120 yards, 2 TD) all went for more than 100 yards on the ground in Haxtun’s 36-8 win over Sanford. The defense racked up five sacks, three by Seth Seger, and picked off two passes. Coming off a bye, Crowley County got outscored 22-0 in the second half by Calhan, who beat the Chargers 42-28. Julian Marquez threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, with Donaven Bell catching four balls for 104 yards and a TD.

Series history… This is just the second meeting between the two, with Haxtun winning 62-0 last year. Cone ran for 93 yards and a touchdown for the Fightin’ Bulldogs. The Chargers were held to minus-17 yards of offense, with Bell accounting for 15 total yards.

#7 DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN (3-0) AT #10 LAS ANIMAS (3-0)

Last week… Dayspring Christian raced for more than 450 yards and six touchdowns in the running attack in a 56-6 win over Hayden. Hawkins Flanagan ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns, and Luke Martin added 90 yards and two scores. Max Krehbiel and Elijah Martin had two interceptions apiece, with Martin returning one for a TD. Las Animas pitched its second straight shutout, blanking Soroco 42-0, with Jerome Ethridge catching two touchdowns and intercepting a pass. Orion Martinez ran for three scores and 135 yards on just five carries.

Series history… Dayspring Christian leads 3-0 after beating the Trojans 28-18 last year. E. Martin ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles, while also recording an interception. Jackson Polk led their defense with 18 tackles. The Trojans returned two fumbles for touchdowns, one by Logan Servaes covering 98 yards.