TIFFANY JEHOREK photo
MEEKER | In an epic start to the year, Cowboy football opened the second straight year with a win over their league opponent, the North Fork Miners.
“This was a very exciting way to start the season,” said head coach Andy Coryell.
The Miners, a team composed of former rivals Paonia and Hotchkiss, scored on their first possession of the game, immediately putting the Cowboys in the red. The Miners made it obvious in their first offensive series they were there to win.
North Fork’s speed posed a problem to the Cowboy defense early in the game. Several seasoned players now in new defensive positions, including middle linebacker Judd Harvey and it took just one series and the Cowboys made the necessary adjustments to control the game.
Senior quarterback Ryan Sullivan is in his second year at the helm of the Cowboy offense. He is protected by a line that is virtually untouched from last year: Harvey, Teagan Sheridan, Noah LeBlanc, Jacob Simonsen, and new for this year, Dawson Willy. Sullivan was able to use the offensive line experience to throw with a 64% completion rate and average 8.6 yards per catch.
Through the air and on the ground the Cowboys amassed 346 yards; leading with 158 rushing by Clay Crawford and 70 by Wyatt Powers. Crawford was the second leading rusher in the 2022-2023 season and Powers returned to the Cowboys for his senior year. Jace Mobley was the top receiver with 31 yards and Cade Blunt had 25 very timely and needed yards.
As the game progressed the Cowboys had a 14 point lead that was quickly whittled down by the Miners speed and Cowboy penalties, leading to a nail-biting end to the game.
“Like most season openers we were sloppy at times, but the kids found a way to get done,” said Coryell.
With just seconds left in regular play, the Cowboys were on the Miner 35 yard line and in scoring territory; unable to convert, the game ended in a tie. Miners won the coin toss, getting the first opportunity to score. On their second play they ran it in for six and chose to kick for another, pulling away with a seven point lead. The Cowboys answered when Crawford ran it in for six. Just one point down, the offensive line held the Miners off long enough for Sullivan to find Mobley for the two point conversion and win.
Offensively the two teams had near identical total yards. The Miners were able to run for 319 but the Cowboys held them to only 28 through the air with two interceptions by Powers and one by Sullivan. Harvey led the defense in his new position with 13 tackles, Blunt had 10 and Brendan Clatterbaugh eight.
“The kids got it done at the end and I am so proud of how resilient this bunch is,” wrapped up Coryell.
This week will be a challenge, the defending state champions, the Limon Badgers, will be coming to town. Limon comes off of a win over Florence where they allowed 23 points, but a cadre of their main players were not allowed to play in the beginning of the game due to missed practices. Kick off is at 1 p.m. Saturday at Starbuck Stadium.
