The Cowboys will now take their 2-0 record on the road to play another 2A school, the Coal Ridge Titans, on Friday.
Last year, the Cowboys lost the game and their quarterback (Jake Phelan broke his leg in the game) and they played without their star running back T.J. Shelton. This year, Phelan was healthy, Shelton played and the Cowboys pounded the Rams from start to finish.
“It was a little different outcome this year,” Meeker head coach Shane Phelan said. “I was happy with how we came out with lots of intensity and a sense of urgency.”
Meeker started in good field position after senior Cade Rowlett returned the opening kickoff to the Ram’s 40 yard line. Phelan ran for a first on fourth down, then completed a pass to Raul Lopez before Shelton ran it in for Meeker’s first touchdown. Phelan completed a two-point conversion to Tristin Pelloni and the Cowboys led 8-0, needing less than three minutes to get on the scoreboard.
The Rams drove the field and were 11 yards from scoring when Lopez intercepted a pass in the end zone.
The Cowboys marched back the other direction and Shelton scored again, this time from 27 yards out. Phelan connected with Devon Pontine for the extra points and Meeker led 16-0.
Meeker scored two times in the second quarter, the first a touchdown by Phelan after senior running back Dillon Frantz pounded the ball to the goal line. Lopez caught a pass from Phelan for the two extra points, then Shelton scored again from 27 yards out. Phelan ran in for the extra points and Meeker led 32-0 at halftime.
The Cowboys started the running clock early in the third quarter, after Shelton broke away for a 93-yard touchdown.
Meeker’s defense continued to dominate the Rams, whose defense couldn’t stop the Cowboys, even when freshman Logan Hughes earned varsity experience by replacing his cousin under center. Hughes’ first varsity completion was for a touchdown to Lopez (Maxpreps gave Hughes a quarterback rating of 177).
“I was pleased with our focus and effort in the second half,” Coach Phelan said. “We talk about effort a lot and I think we are headed in the right direction.”
Shelton carried the ball 14 times, gained 183 yards and scored three touchdowns. Phelan completed nine of 17 passes for 103 yards, including one for a touchdown. He rushed for another.
Sophomore Casey Turner led the Cowboys on defense with 12 tackles, including several punishing blows. Phelan finished with nine tackles and Shelton was in on eight. Pontine and Cody Stickler each finished with seven tackles and senior Matt Frantz recorded five tackles, one for a sack.
The kickoff for the game against Coal Ridge is scheduled for 7 p.m.
