MEEKER | Post season is in full swing, and the Cowboy football team is headed into quarter-finals after a 34-20 win over Buena Vista. The game began with what could have been a major setback after a severe injury to quarterback Ryan Phelan at the end of the first quarter that sent him to the hospital
“The team regathered and we couldn’t be prouder of how they performed in the second half,” said head coach Shane Phelan.
The Cowboys were on the board first, but the Demons answered quickly and the score was 6-7 with 9:28 left in the second.
“There were a few wrinkles in the beginning that we had trouble getting diagnosed, but we got it worked out,” commented Phelan.
Junior Brayden Garcia took over as quarterback after Phelan’s injury he had a 78% pass completion percentage for 137 yards. Injuries continued for several other Cowboys, but the depth of the bench was shown as the Cowboys continued to move the ball well and hold the Demons to 20 points.
Meeker adjusted to whatever Buena Vista threw at them, “we had key guys in key spots step up for us,” said Phelan, “the guys that got their number called we able to do some good things.”
The Cowboys now look to the No. 5 Centauri Falcons. The Falcons have a 9-1 record and suffered their only loss to Pagosa Springs.
Centauri’s attack is “balanced” commented Phelan, “they are perennially good football program and are number five for a reason.”
“It is exciting to see the Cowboys be successful and do well,” continued Phelan, “the Meeker fall sports programs have had a lot of success this year.”
The Falcons offensively look to multiple guys to handle the ball threw the air and rushing. There are two players that have ran for more than 600 yards each this season, sophomore Mason Claunch and senior Taj Cornum. Claunch, who has 1,235 all purpose yards, is also the number one receiver with 304 yards.
Phelan calls Centauri’s defense “stout, like a lot of the playoff teams.” They have shut out three teams, held three others to less than 10 points, and only allowed 113 points in 10 games.
Meeker versus Centauri kicks off Saturday at 1 p.m. “We are excited to once again have this opportunity to be in front of a home crowd,” said Phelan.
By Tiffany Jehorek | Special to the Herald Times
