MEEKER | Not receiving much notoriety, the Barone Middle School Football teams (7th & 8th Grades) have quietly been putting up good numbers and recently have extended their undefeated streaks with victories over visiting Glenwood Springs teams on Saturday at Starbuck Stadium. The 7th graders posted a 14-7 victory, while the 8th graders handed the visitors a convincing 30-0 trouncing.
Both the 7th and 8th grade teams have enjoyed being on the winning side as they are posting undefeated marks so far on the year. Saturday was no exception as the 7th grade started the day off behind the running and passing of Case Conway and running of Gael Rodriguez. Conway put the young Cowboys on the board in the first quarter with a 25-yard boot leg to put Meeker up 6-0, with the 2point conversion attempt failing. The Glenwood team quickly returned the favor on the ensuing kickoff, returning it back for a TD, their conversion attempt also failed for a tie score of 6-6. After a change of possessions, and a Glenwood punt, Meeker took the ball over on the Glenwood 38. A 25-yard pass completion from Conway to Rodriguez set the ball on the 13. The Meeker line provided good blocking for Rodriguez who punched it in from there for a 12-6 Cowboy lead. Conway connected with Jaxon McPherson for the 2-point conversion to make it 14-6 Meeker to end the first half scoring. Meeker kicked off to Glenwood to start the second half, and with some adjustments Glenwood was pushing the ball down field. Ollie Thomson provided the big stop for the Meeker defense as he intercepted an errant Glenwood pass to halt their drive. The rest of the game turned into a defensive battle as the 7th grade ‘Pokes held on for a 14-7 win.
The 8th grade boys also used a mixture of running and passing plays on offense, and good ol’ hardnose Cowboy defense to blank the visitors 30-0. The Cowboys got on the board first with a 66-yard run by Lawson Anderson. Jake Grieser’s attempted run on the 2-point conversion was stopped just short, but the Meeker crew was on the board 6-0 with 5:14 left in the 1st period. With the defense not allowing the Glenwood offense to find any rhythm, the Cowboys took over the ball and Anderson was off to the races again, this time with a 78-yard gallop to paydirt. Kael Overton then hit Bryant Turner for the 2-point conversion and a 14-0 Cowboy lead with :42 left in the first period. The second period was just as productive and the junior ‘Poke defense continued to dominate. Overton hit Anderson on a pass into the flats and with an outstanding block from Brady Berthelson at receiver, Anderson turned the play into a 61-yard touchdown and with the conversion from Turner, it was a 20-0 lead to end the half.
Meeker received the second half kickoff, but Overton’s pass was intercepted by Glenwood. However, the Cowboy defense held their opponents and forced the visitors to punt. After trading punts, Glenwood took the ball over on their 25-yard line. Here, Jake Grieser stepped in front of the Glenwood receiver and picked off the pass on the 30-yard line and returned it for a pick 6 touchdown. Anderson added the 2-point conversion and Meeker had their 30-0 lead. Defense on both sides controlled the rest of the game as the final score ended with the junior Cowboys adding another “W” with the 30-0 win.
This week the youngsters will travel to Steamboat on Thursday for a 4:00 start.
By DALE DUNBAR