RANGELY I The Rangely High School football team currently has a record of 1-1, after a 6-0 loss on Friday and playing the first two games of the season on the road. The Panthers will host Dove Creek this Friday on Yeager Field.
The Panthers lost in Mancos after the Blue Jays scored a touchdown on the game’s opening drive.
“We kicked off and allowed a 48-yard return, which they capitalized on two plays later with a 36-yard run for a touchdown,” Rangely head coach Paul Fortunato said.
“We played solid defense again to keep Mancos out of the end zone for the remainder of the night, but, on the other hand, for a second week, we fizzled on offense inside the red zone, with three fumbles on crucial drives.”
Rangely senior quarterback Kaulan Brady completed passes to five different receivers, including three each to classmates Jimmie Sherman, Jesse Powell and Kiki Ruiz while junior Troy Allred and freshman Devin Ramirez caught one. Ruiz also carried the ball 17 times for 42 yards.
Powell and senior classmate Nakoma Bailey, led the Panthers on defense, each recording 12 tackles.
Ruiz finished with 11 tackles and Allred recorded eight. Sherman had seven tackles, Brady and Ramirez were each in on five, while freshman Robert Osteen was in on four.
“The encouraging part of this young Panther team is the aggressive defensive play,” Coach Fortunato said. “We have always had a strong offense and I feel the adjustments are small but really crucial. We will continue to work on finishing on offense this week, as we prepare for Dove Creek.”