MEEKER I The Meeker Cowboys football team has a bye this week after boosting their record to 3-0 with a crushing 52-6 defeat of the Coal Ridge Titans in New Castle on Friday.
The Cowboys will prepare for a trip to Denver, where they will meet Holyoke on a neutral field on Sept. 20.
Against the Titans, the Cowboys gained 243 on the ground and another 143 in the air, including five touchdown completions.
“We came out with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement, ready to roll,” Meeker head coach Shane Phelan said. “T.J. (Shelton) broke for a big run, then we went a little stale until the second quarter.”
Shelton has opened all three games with a “big” run, including one for 76 yards against the Titans.
The Titans tied to stop Meeker’s running game, leaving the air open for senior quarterback Jake Phelan to light up the sky with five touchdown passes to four different receivers.
Phelan completed 14 of 22 passes for 139 yards. Raul Lopez caught two touchdown passes, while teammates Devon Pontine, Cade Rowlett and Matt Frantz each caught one.
“You don’t do that without a good job from your lineman,” Coach Phelan said of his team’s offensive and defensive linemen.
Kash Atwood returned from injury to the offensive line, along with Noah Overton, Jake Henderson, Tyler Ilgen and Chase Rule, while Matt and Dillon Frantz, Ruben Roybal and Robby Jensen make up the defensive line.
“Those guys, for the most part, controlled the line of scrimmage,” Coach Phelan said. “Anytime that happens, good things are going to happen.”
Meeker’s JV team lost 24-20 to Rifle at Starbuck Stadium on Monday and will host Grand Valley on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
