Hotchkiss blanks Rangely, 47-0, homecoming Friday

RANGELY I After experiencing the elation of winning its first game of the season two weeks ago, the Panthers received a harsh dose of reality last Friday.
“They were fourth ranked in the state, and they were everything they said they would be,” Rangely coach Tim Galloway said of Hotchkiss, which roughed up the Panthers 47-0. “They didn’t do anything unusual. They just do it well. And we couldn’t stop it.”
First-year coach Galloway hopes his team will bounce back in a big way this week for its homecoming game against another league opponent, Hayden.
History isn’t on the Panthers’ side. But that’s something Galloway hopes Rangely can rectify.
“The seniors told me Rangely hasn’t won a homecoming game in like four years, so we’re due,” Galloway said.
Hotchkiss jumped out to a big lead early, scoring four touchdowns in the first quarter and twice in the second period to lead 41-zip at the half.
“There was nothing good to say about the Hotchkiss game,” Galloway said. “It was, by far, our worst performance of the year. We just have to regroup. That’s all we can do.”
Mentally, the Panthers may have been intimidated by state-ranked Hotchkiss, Galloway said.
“They were beat before the ball was ever kicked off,” the Rangely coach said of his team. “I think they psyched themselves out. They were beaten before they started.”
He said the Panthers needed to develop a tougher mental attitude, something Rangely teams in the past had.
“Rangely teams always had fighters,” Galloway said. “Even if the score was 47-0, the other team knew they were in a fistfight. We’re just not there. There’s not that fight. These kids, somebody punches them in the mouth, they’re done. We’ve got to change that. We’ve got some talented kids, when they play together. Unfortunately, they don’t do that consistently. I think there are individuals who want to be better. What I need is all 32 to better.”
As lopsided as Friday’s score was, Galloway said the Panthers needed to put the game behind them and focus on Hayden.
“I think they are a real solid team,” Galloway said. “Paonia beat ’em 20-0. I had a coach there scouting them. He said they had their opportunities; they just didn’t get the job done. Anybody in the league is beatable on any given night.”
Galloway is hoping Friday will be the Panthers’ night.
“There are no excuses this week,” Galloway said. “Hayden has about the same amount of students as us. This is somebody we should be able to match up with. I told the players, let’s get ’er done.”
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In junior varsity action Monday, Rangely beat county rival Meeker 34-6, as Kody Denny scored three touchdowns.