Panthers swamped by ’dogs

RANGELY — Lightning struck very close to the field in Hotchkiss about a half-hour prior to kickoff but that was the only event that disrupted the Bulldog’s homecoming game.
Hotchkiss stormed over the Panthers 59-20. Rangely had a decent game through the air with 160 yards, but it gave up 407 yards on the ground. It’s tough to beat anyone without stopping the ground attack.
Hotchkiss opened up the scoring with a touchdown from Ethan Coe, who moved from Rangely during elementary school. Coe capped a nice drive with a four-yard touchdown run.
The Panthers were forced to punt on their first series, but then the Panther defense caught a couple of breaks.
First, a long run was called back due to a block in the back. Next, the center sent a snap over the punter’s head that Rangely recovered on the two-yard line.
Kanden Brady put up the first Rangely score on the first play with an inside run. The score was 7-6, and Rangely was excited.
On the next play from scrimmage, Hotchkiss fumbled the ball and turned it over. The Panther offense was on the field again and worked the ball to the one-yard line where they were stopped.
Ron Urie couldn’t keep his balance after a great, fourth-down catch on the sideline. The Bulldog offense took over and Coe scored his second touchdown of the first quarter on a 99-yard play. Instead of going ahead, Rangely trailed 13-6.
Before the first quarter ended, Coe broke another one. He went 44 yards on another play up the middle for his third score of the game. Rangely scored in the second quarter on a nice 14-yard pass from Brady to Adam Dahl. At the half the score was 32-12.
In the second, Rangely was determined to stop the run, but that was not to be the case. Hotchkiss scored three more ground touchdowns; two more by Ethan Coe which brought his total to five TDs and 286 yards rushing. He is an excellent runner who hits the holes very fast. Needless to say, the Panthers had a very disappointing defensive night.
Rangely will retool and be ready for their next match against Hayden this Friday. The game is at Hayden starts at 7:30 p.m.