22 Clay Crawford and #19 Casey Brink make a play against Limon’s defense. The Cowboys lost 14-42. | TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO
The Meeker Cowboys knew that anytime they travel to Limon they can expect a strong team that battles and is very quick and that was exactly who they met. The final score was 14-42, of which all 14 points came in the final quarter for the Cowboys, who at the same time held the Badgers to zero points scored.
“Limon was very tough, but I was very proud of the kids’ effort,” began head coach Andy Coryell. “They certainly showed us some things that we need to improve on.”
The first half of the game ended 28-0 with the Badgers dominating the clock offensively and challenging the Cowboy defense.
“We had teammates that worked the entire game, both physically and to keep us pumped up regardless of the score,” commented junior Judd Harvey. “I think we know now how hard we need to work to be the best, our first game was not a test like this one.”
Senior Elijah Leblanc agrees, “I would say we did very well at not giving up and just giving full effort against Limon.”
The outcome of the game did not show the accomplishments: quarterback Ryan Sullivan threw for 84 yards with a big catch for 74 yards by Jace Mobley. On the ground Clay Crawford had 26 yards, Connor Blunt 10, and Casey Brink 21.
Defensively Connor led with 14 tackles, Leblanc and Cade Blunt each had nine, and Harvey seven.
The team takes it one game at time, preparing each week for the Friday night lights ahead, and this week they are looking towards Aspen.
“Aspen will be another good, well-coached team,” commented Coryell. “Our first home game and we look forward to playing in front of an always outstanding home crowd, and I am very happy we don’t have to ride a bus to play,”
The Limon offense was fast with quick feet and the Cowboys suffered with missed tackles, which both Leblanc and Harvey are looking forward to improving this week.
“My personal priority for this week is to improve my tackling because I missed more tackles than I should have last weekend,” said Leblanc. “I think the biggest thing I can do is just turn up my own intensity in practice every day and that will help the whole team to pick up intensity in practice and if we can do that, I believe we will be able to execute better.”
“I think as an upperclassman I need to keep everyone focused during practice,” said Harvey, “we must practice like we intend to play, smart, motivated, and working hard with every single snap.”
By TIFFANY JEHOREK – Special to the Herald Times
