The Meeker High School football team answered its first loss of the season with a strong performance on the road Friday, defeating Class 2A Coal Ridge 41-20 to improve to 2-1.
After falling 29-22 to Delta in their home opener, the Cowboys returned to the road and put together one of their strongest performances of the season, totaling 350 yards of offense while holding the Titans to 20 points.
The Cowboys’ offense was led by senior Said Rodriguez, who rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries. Rodriguez’s night included a 90-yard touchdown run, and he finished with 178 all-purpose yards after adding 32 kickoff return yards.
Senior Tucker Chinn also had a strong night on the ground, carrying the ball six times for 95 yards and a touchdown. His longest run covered 56 yards.
Chinn said Meeker found more success running outside against Coal Ridge than it did against Delta.
“The outside run was way more open compared to Delta,” Chinn said. “We do best when we run outside and that’s why we were so successful.”
Chinn also credited the Cowboys’ offensive line.
“The offensive line did an amazing job and deserves all the credit,” Chinn said.
“On my touchdown, our offensive guard was sprinting down to block the last guy at the 10-yard line so that I could score,” Chinn said. “Our line did a phenomenal job.”
As a team, Meeker rushed for 325 yards on 34 carries, averaging 9.6 yards per carry. Senior quarterback Cade Mills completed one of two passes for 25 yards, connecting with sophomore Law -son Anderson for a touchdown.
Meeker’s defense recorded 79 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Senior Trent Sanders led the effort with nine tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks, while sophomore Liam Thomson also recorded three sacks and three tackles for loss.
Sanders said the Cowboys’ ability to stay disciplined and play physically helped the defense find success.
“I think we were just able to each do our own assignments and play physically, and glad things went well,” Sanders said.
Sanders credited the coaching staff’s emphasis on physicality and hard work for helping the defense develop strong habits throughout the season.
“I think just the way our coaches put a lot of emphasis on playing physical and working hard was able to help us create good habits and were able to play tough,” Sanders said.
The Cowboys also benefited from the bye week following the Delta game, using the extra time to make adjustments and improve during practice.
“With a bye week in between we knew we could make some better adjustments and just grew in practice every day, and our defense was solid and we were able to play well,” Sanders said.
The intensity Meeker played with will be important as the Cowboys move into conference play, Sanders said.
“The intensity we played with was super, super important, and I think we need to keep that going through this week of practice and continue to play physical and just do our job and trust each other,” Sanders said.
After the game, head coach Andy Coryell reflected on the Cowboys’ two games against Class 2A opponents and what those contests showed him heading into conference play.
“They’re big, strong, physical football teams. It was a good test for us early. I think it’s a good ramp-up to Cedaredge on Thursday,” Coryell said.
Coryell was also pleased with the way the defense handled a Coal Ridge offense that he said presented several challenges.
“I thought we were resilient. Twenty points, we were OK with that. That’s a good, strong, physical football team. They got lots of weapons. The quarterback was a dynamic kid. It was hard,” Coryell said. “I thought they hung in there and kept them in front of it for the most part. I thought the defense played well.”
The Cowboys also received a strong special teams performance from Sanders, who handled six kickoffs for 231 yards and punted once for 50 yards, with the ball downed inside the 20-yard line.
Chinn said the win could provide the Cowboys with confidence as they move into conference play.
“It is always a confidence booster to beat a bigger team and it will also help us in the rankings,” Chinn said. “This was a very big win for us.”
As of Sept. 14, the Cowboys are ranked No. 10 in the CHSAA Class 1A seeding index. Meeker will open league play at home Thursday, Sept. 17, against Cedaredge at 7 p.m.
For the senior class, the goal is clear.
“We as seniors want to win the league this year,” Chinn said. “We have a pretty difficult league this year but I think we can do it.”
Meeker senior Trent Sanders, No. 16, leaps into the air to block a Coal Ridge punt during the Cowboys’ 41-20 road victory over the Titans Friday. Sanders finished the game with nine tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks. RICH KLINZMANN PHOTO