RANGELY I The Rangely Panther football team visited the Dove Creek Bulldogs for their season opener. The Panthers started the game off by scoring on the first drive on a 2-yard run from Devin Ramirez. After a missed PAT, the Panthers stopped the Bulldogs on the pursuing drive and marched right back down the field to score on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Ramirez to Tytus Coombs.
The Panther defense stopped the Bulldogs once again and quickly answered with a 7-yard rushing TD by Tytus Coombs again. Capped off with a two point conversion run by Troy Allred. Rangely continued to roll on both sides of the ball only giving up 1 score at the end of the half but adding one more touchdown run by Devin Ramirez to make the score at halftime 28-6.
The Panthers came out in the second half flat and gave up a long drive to bring the score to 28-14. Rangely quickly answered in two plays with a 55-yard run by Ramirez and points after punched in by Drew Brannon. Dove creek was then quickly stopped again and the Panthers drove back down the field and scored on a 10-yard completion from Ramirez to Drew Brannon. Ramirez ran the two point conversion in as well. Bringing the score to 44-14. Rangely then began to get some of the younger kids into the game to try and get them some varsity experience. The final score ended up being 44-30.
The Panthers should have an exciting team this year with a lot of new faces. Starting six sophomores, one senior and one freshman. Please come out and support them Friday night as they host the Del Norte Tigers at 7 p.m. at Hefley Field.