MEEKER | Barone Middle School football had a strong start this fall, with 41 boys suiting up for the seventh- and eighth-grade teams.
The seventh grade Cowboys are 4-1, anchored by a powerhouse defense that opened the season with three straight shutouts. The squad has shown talent, grit and camaraderie while posting wins over Riverside (16-0), Craig (12-0), Grand Valley (16-0) and East Grand (24-20). Their lone loss came in a tight 12-6 battle with Steamboat at home.
Meanwhile, the eighth grade team bounced back quickly after dropping its season opener to Riverside in a double-overtime thriller, 36-30. Since then, the Cowboys have dominated opponents with wins over Craig (40-8), Grand Valley (48-0) and Steamboat (14-12). They also shut out East Grand on the road, 10-0. Coaches praised the group’s hustle, toughness and teamwork as they push each other to improve each week.
Barone Middle School entered the final stretch of its season last week with three games left on the schedule: Sept. 18 in Steamboat against East Grand, Sept. 20 at home against Steamboat, and Sept. 27 in Rifle. Seventh grade games kick off first, with the eighth grade playing immediately afterward.
The seventh grade roster includes Teus Rykhus, Lucas Simpson, Cade Douglas, Miles Dupire, Peyton Muxlow, Noah Hanberg, Daxon Koenig, Xander Borchard, Konner Greenberge, Quinn Thompson, John Bayles, Brantley White, Milo Brennan, William Roybal, Miles Etchart, Liam Healy, Klayton Carol, Parker Dupire and Dish Arnold.
The eighth grade roster features Case Conway, Gael Rodriguez, Jaxson McPherson, Tyler Folman, Ian Shimko, Joe Tatum, Josh Powell, Dillon Koenig, Bryan Medina, Thomas Theos, Owen Little, Ollie Thompson, Asher Navratil, Whit Watson, Isaiah Gianinetti, Carson Blunt, Miles Franklin, Spencer Bair, Weston Newman, Tadio Gonzales, Sam Merz and Jackson Bustos.
The Cowboys wrapped up their last home game of the season this past weekend and now turn their focus to finishing strong on the road. Their final matchup is set for Sept. 27 in Rifle, giving fans one last chance to cheer them on this year.
By JARED HENDERSON |
