EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK FIVE by Kerry Sherman

EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL REPORT – WEEK FIVE

BY: KERRY SHERMAN

It’s a light slate in eight-man when it comes to games involving teams ranked in the top 10 of the CHSAA Selection and Seeding Index, but we still get two games where both teams are ranked. In many cases, this is the last week of non-league play, while a few other leagues have already started their divisional schedule.

FRIDAY

#2 HAXTUN (4-0) AT FRONT RANGE CHRISTIAN (0-3)

Last week… For the third time in four games, Haxtun held an opponent to one score or less, beating Crowley County 68-6. The Fightin’ Bulldogs led 38-0 after one. Colin Cone ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns on only five carries, and Zach Statz added 72 yards and one score. Seth Seger racked up 11 tackles, including a sack. The defense got to the QB six times overall, with Baron Starkebaum getting a pair of sacks. Statz recorded two of the unit’s four interceptions, taking one back for a score. Chase Goddard also had a pick-six.  Front Range Baptist gave up more than 330 passing yards in a 48-12 loss to Elbert. The Falcons allowed five sacks, and also turned it over five times, four on fumbles.

Series history… Haxtun led 50-0 at halftime of last year’s meeting, the first between the two programs, and rolled to a 58-6 win. Statz ran for 105 yards and two TD, and the Fightin’ Bulldogs picked off three passes and blocked a punt. Lawson Edwards both forced and recovered a fumble for the Falcons, and Brody Mullins also tallied a fumble recovery in the loss.

#5 AKRON (4-0) VS #4 DAYSPRING CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (4-0)

Last week… Akron found a variety of ways to score in last week’s 53-0 shutout of Holly, getting one passing, three rushing, two on interceptions, one on a fumble, and one on a punt return. Jace Curtis and Jax Kusel had three apiece. Akron’s defense forced eight turnovers, with four fumbles and four picks. Kolten Randel had two of the interceptions, one a pick-six. Kusel picked a pass and recovered two fumbles. Dayspring Christian trailed Las Animas 6-0 after one quarter, but then took a 28-6 lead into the fourth, eventually handing the Trojans their first loss of the year. Owen Crust ran for 94 yards, Hawkins Flanagan tallied 68, and Elijah Martin added 67. All three scored a rushing TD. The Eagles held Las Animas to just over 200 yards of offense.

Series history… While these two are Plains division rivals, they have also met occasionally in the non-league portion of the schedule. That”s the case in this match-up. Akron has won four straight, but DCA owns a 10-7 lead overall. The Rams picked up wins of 36-8 and 32-14 last year.

#10 MANCOS (2-1) VS #7 DOLORES (3-0)

Last week… Mancos had a bye following a 50-8 week three victory over Merino. Jonah Ritter amassed 222 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries in that win. Michael Resner threw for one score and ran for another. Dolores was also on a bye after beating Rangely 28-0 the week prior. River Wickstrom threw for one TD and ran for one, while Devin Winter and Michael Rantz had two interceptions and a fumble recovery apiece.

Series history… Entering this Mountain division opener, Mancos has won all three eight-man meetings with the Bears, all by shutout. Last year, Ritter ran for 76 yards and a touchdown for the Bluejays. Rantz had one of the few highlights for Dolores in the loss, as he recovered a fumble.

#3 PLATEAU VALLEY (4-0) VS #20 WEST GRAND (3-1)

Last week… It was another close call for the Cowboys, who eked out a 28-26 win at Vail Christian. All four of their victories are by 14 points or less. Colter Ralston threw for 153 yards and three touchdowns, and also had 83 yards and a TD on the ground. Hunter White caught two of the touchdowns, and London Mitchell snagged the other for the game-winner. Vance Sheffield led Plateau Valley with 120 rushing yards. Austin Grundy paced the defense with 13 tackles. Like the Cowboys, West Grand got its Northwest slate started with a win last week, as the Mustangs dropped Lake County 42-0. It was their second straight shutout. Blake Terryberry threw for 176 yards and three scores, one apiece to Sanjay Geffers, Ethan Barr, and Jake Trail.

Series history… Last year’s 38-36 win by West Grand was the ninth in the last 12 meetings for the Mustangs. That game was decided in overtime. Terryberry threw for two scores and ran for two, but was also intercepted three times. White, Ralston, and Grundy each had a pick for the Cowboys, White’s going back 98 yards for a TD.

#6 SEDGWICK COUNTY (2-1) VS #15 SIMLA (2-1)

Last week… Sedgwick County came off its bye week and outscored Hoehne 50-28. Owen Harris stacked up 202 yards and three touchdowns in the ground attack, and Brady Mollendor added 115 yards and two scores. Mollendor and Hudson Peterson both added a pick-six to the scoring. It was a timely bye week for Simla, after the Cubs lost to #1 McClave 41-0 in week three. They were held to 151 yards of offense in that loss. Tatum Kochera and Logan Rayfield had an interception apiece.

Series history… Each team has had a three-game winning streak in the six previous meetings. Simla enters on the winning side, having earned a 30-20 victory last year. Kochera caught six passes for 77 yards for the Bear Cubs, while Harris (two) and Mollendor (one) combined for three rushing touchdowns for the Cougars.

BYE WEEK

#1 MCCLAVE (4-0)

#16 BYERS (3-1)

#13 SANFORD (3-1)