Rangely Sports, RHS Football, Sports

RBC high school football teams headed into state playoffs: Panthers head to Greeley Saturday for round one

The Rangely Panthers 8-man football team earned a No. 12 seed in the state playoffs and will play Dayspring Academy in Greeley this Saturday starting at 9 a.m in the first round of the playoffs.
MATT SCOGGINS PHOTO

RANGELY | What better night for some high school football in Rio Blanco County than on a cold Halloween night in Rangely, Colorado. This game saw temperatures hover around 20 degrees at kickoff and plummet to single digits by the time the final horn sounded in a Rangely Panthers victory over the Plateau Valley Cowboys 36-14. Your Panthers were looking to cap off their regular season and Parent Appreciation Night where the team honored all players, managers and coaches and their families for the great sacrifices that they make for their son to play, their daughters to manage and the families of the coaches to coach. The Rangely High School football coaches would like to thank all the parents, legal guardians, families and administrators for allowing them to spend time with the great athletes of the football team at RHS. With a win, the Panthers would stay in contention for an at large berth into the Colorado 8-man state playoff brackets. The win would put the Panthers at 3-3 in the Northwest 8-man League and 6-3 overall. Rangely entered the game with a Ratings Index Percentage (RPI) of 12 of the 8-man football teams in the state of Colorado.

This was the first Thursday game for the entire Rangely football team as they started off to a sluggish start giving up 14 points on five plays to the 1-7 Plateau Valley Cowboys. The Panthers failed to respond on their first offensive possession as they were forced to put after an early snap cost the Panthers a loss of 17 yards. The Panthers defense responded in their third stand and the Cowboys elected to punt on fourth down and long. Junior Ryan Richens took the punt and raced up the middle of the field from a key block by sophomore Timothy Scoggins—74 yards to put the Panthers on the board for the first time of the night. The Panthers failed to convert their two-point conversion play and the score stood at 6-14 in favor of the Cowboys.

Heading into the playoffs for the second year in a row and their last year in high school football are Rangely High School seniors Justin Rusher (14), Dalton Dembowski (76), Hunter Hanvey (80), Del Garner (71), and Tytus Coombs (22).
MATT SCOGGINS PHOTO

The Panthers defense stood tall on the next possession for the Cowboys as senior Hunter Hanvey forced a Cowboys fumble and recovered the fumble himself. Sophomore running back Zane Varner carried the ball 19 yards for the Panthers to set the Panthers up with a first and goal from the Cowboys 10-yard line. Four plays later and strong goal-line stand by the Cowboys stopped the Panthers drive in its tracks and the Cowboys set up their offense on their three-yard line. The Panthers defense showed its grit and was able to force a turnover on downs after the Cowboys managed to move the football 47 yards on eight plays.

Junior quarterback Anthony Lujan locked on to his receiving targets nicely in the Panthers ensuing drive and led the Panthers to another score. Lujan completed passes to Richens for 13 yards, junior Austin Davis for 12 yards, and Varner for 27 yards to put the score at 12-14 in favor of the Cowboys in the second quarter. On the touchdown pass to Varner, the Cowboys were flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and the Panthers elected to enforce the penalty on the kickoff.

Freshman kicker Marstan Wagner lined the ball up as the Panthers decided for an onside kick with the short field advantage from the Cowboy penalty. The Panthers did not recover the kick and the Cowboys set their offense on the 35-yard line. On the Cowboys’ first offensive play of the drive, Varner came up from his linebacker position and recorded a sack and caused a fumble that was recovered by junior Gabe Polley on the Cowboys 31-yard line. Lujan continued to stay hot through the air and connected on two of his three pass attempts, both to Richens for a Panthers touchdown. Richens then ran the ball around the left end for the two-point conversion to put the score at 20-14 in favor of the Panthers heading into halftime.

The Panthers received the second half kick-off and delivered a steady dose of between tackle runs. Lujan capped the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown. Richens then followed the touchdown with a successful two-point conversion that put the Panthers up 28-14 in the third quarter.

The Panthers’ defense was not to be outdone by the offense in the third quarter as Varner intercepted the Cowboy pass on the Cowboys’ 48-yard line and then scampered 12 yards to the Cowboys 36-yard line. The Panther offense failed to take advantage of the short field position and gave the ball back to the Cowboys on a turnover of downs on the Cowboys 26-yard line.  In some back and forth action the defense forced a four and out for the Cowboys and gave the Panthers offense the ball back on the Cowboys 45-yard line.

Lujan found Richens for a 37-yard pass on a third down and six to keep the Panthers drive alive. Richens capped the drive off with a four-yard touchdown and Lujan found junior Austin Davis on the two-point conversion to put the Panthers up comfortably, 36-14. The Panthers had responded to their sluggish start with 36 unanswered points against the Cowboys. The Panthers secured their sixth win of the season and third win in the Northwest 8-man League.

With this win, the Panthers  have secured a playoff berth for the second year in a row. The Panthers will play Dayspring Christian Academy in Greeley on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. 

Special to the Herald Times

Comments are closed.

Come say hi!

@ht.1885
  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
2 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
3 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
8 hours ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

Thank you, advertisers!