TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER I Meeker Cowboy football had one remaining game left in league play to officially clinch the title and they came out on top, sealing the Western Slope League Championship.
The Olathe Pirates came to Meeker for the final regular season home game and went home scoreless. The Cowboys took the Pirates into mercy rule with just over seven minutes left in the first half, final score 46-0.
The first half of play the varsity led the march on offense but early on the defense saw some of the younger players take the field.
Liam Deming led the Cowboys with 95 yards, 93 of which came after a three and out for the Pirates who punted the ball to the Cowboy seven yard line. The very next play, Chase Callahan and Zach Simonsen led the charge blocking for Deming as he ran down the field for a 93 yard touchdown. The longest run of the season so far.There was a lot of contribution from the team, tons of the guys contributed, and every player saw some action,” commented head coach Shane Phelan.
For some of the younger Meeker Cowboys it was their first ever opportunity to see varsity action.
Offensive Stats
• RUSHING
Deming–95 yards, Kelton Turner–79 yards, Zach Simonsen–62 yards, Clay Crawford–61 yards, Porter Hossack–39 yards, Connor Blunt–26 yards, Wyatt Powers–15 yards
• RECEIVING
Dagon Dade–30 yards from Blunt
No stats have been entered for the Olathe Pirates to determine just how many yards they were held to. In the first the Meeker varsity defense dominated, there was only one first down allowed and the Pirates were held to three and out. Once the younger players were given the opportunity to see some playing time, the Pirates were still unable to score.
“Our defense was not on the field that much, it was just the way the game played out,” commented Phelan.
This week the Cowboys travel to Center to take on the Vikings. It has been decades since the last time these two teams have met.
“Center is coming off their big rivalry game with Monte Vista that ended in a loss,” said Phelan. “They have had some good quality wins and lopsided losses.”
The Vikings are a passing team due to the current personnel on the team.
“Their quarterback has a good arm, they will test us with their passing as we have not seen it from any team we have played,” commented Phelan.
This game is now scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. instead of the original 7 p.m.
Last week the JV football team hosted the Steamboat Sailors, coming away with another win. This week they took on Moffat County in Craig and in the final game of the season they lost 14-26 to a tough Bulldog team.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
