(Above) Zagar Brown (27). Kickoff for this Friday’s homecoming game is set for 7 p.m. | TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
MEEKER I In just the second home game of the Meeker Cowboy football season, the team dominated the Grand Valley Cardinals 33-7.
“The kids had great effort level the entire game,” said head coach Shane Phelan. “We won the turnover battle and the combination of effort and winning turnovers is a recipe for winning.”
Meeker was on top first with a score from Kelton Turner and extra point by John Hampton Hightower.
The Cowboys had three unanswered touchdowns going into the half and led the Cardinals 21-0.
In the second half Meeker was once again on the board before the Cardinals. A missed PAT left the score at 27-0, after a three and out possession by the Cardinals, Hightower kicked a 38 yard field goal to make the lead 30 points.
In the fourth quarter another field goal by Hightower brought the score up to 33-0, and the varsity took the bench and the younger guys got some time in the game.
Late in the fourth the Cardinals scored and kicked in a PAT and the final score of the game was 33-7.
The Cowboys intercepted four times by Connor Blunt, Trinden Powell, Liam Deming, and Jacob Simonsen.
“Anytime you can get the ball extra times it makes for a good game,” commented Phelan. “Our boys are trending up in their progress and really doing some good things.”
This week’s leading tacklers are Zach Simonsen with 11, Elijah Leblanc with eight, and Liam Deming with six.
On the ground Turner ran for 200 yards in 20 carries, averaging 10 yards per carry and he scored four touchdowns. Threw the air blunt completed 71.4% of his passes to Casey Brink, Powell, and Porter Hossack. In all the Cowboys rushed for 247 yards and had 96 in the air.
This weekend the Cowboys get their first chance to take on the newly created North Fork, the former Hotchkiss and Paonia. North Fork is ranked six in the composite rankings and is Meeker’s opponent for a league championship.
“Neither of us has lost in the league yet,” said Phelan, “this game has future league championship ramifications and it is really important for both teams.
North Fork was beaten by Buena Vista last weekend 28-21, and they scored all of their points in the second half of the game. They have a strong returning offensive and defensive line that is full of returning seniors, one of which is the 10th ranked tackler in the state, number 50 Carter Neff, who plays defensive end and center.
“They have an outstanding defense and the Buena Vista game was the first time they have given up so many points all season,” commented Phelan. “Their defense will test us and they have a lot of experience being upperclassmen.”
“We are really excited to get to play at home again in front of our homecoming crowd, and it is another great opportunity to face a top ten opponent,” wrapped up Phelan.
Kickoff for the Cowboys and Miners is 7 p.m. Friday at Starbuck Stadium.
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
