Meeker Sports, MHS Football, Sports

Indians prevail over Cowboys in quarterfinal

TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO

MEEKER | Meeker walked into Strasburg ready for a battle. The Cowboys had first possession of the game and took full advantage. Kelton Turner ran the ball down to the 50-yard-line on the kick return and just over four and half minutes later, Jeremy Woodward had the first score of the night, the first score against Strasburg so far in 2020. It was the first time Strasburg was behind all year.

“The boys played hard, they played their hearts out,” said head coach Shane Phelan. “It is heartbreaking how it ended the way it did, but sometimes that is just how sports are.”

Strasburg then scored two more times making it 14-6 for the Indians, but then on the kick return, Turner ran 85 yards to put the Cowboys within two. Ryan Phelan ran it in for the extra two points and the Cowboys and Indians were tied 14-all at the end of the first half.

“They are a good team and have been through some battles,” said Phelan. “It was disappointing we couldn’t get it done in those critical times, but it was a great effort, nothing to hang our head about.”

TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO

The second half opened with an Indian possession and score that was answered in three plays by Woodward and the extra two once again by Phelan. With 6 minutes and 14 seconds left in the third Meeker once again pulled ahead, 22-21.

As the game progressed the Cowboys fully stopped the Indian drive, but these well-matched teams kept going back and forth, scoring nearly every possession. With just under a minute left in the game, Phelan met Spud White in the end zone and the game was within two, 34-36. The Cowboys couldn’t convert the extra two, but a successful onside kick after the score recovered by Colby Clatterbaugh gave them one more chance. The recovered kick started their drive in Indian territory, but Meeker was beaten by the clock and the game came to an end 34-36, Strasburg.

Phelan threw for 106 yards, 48 to Clatterbaugh and 36 to White. On the ground Turner had 85 and Woodward 79. Defensively Turner also led in tackles with 14, Clatterbaugh had 13 and Zach Eskelson and Cooper Main both had eight.

“This year when August rolled around the guys were really excited, then it was taken away, only to later go back and forth, but in the end they got a season and were able to compete,” began Phelan. “The guys wanted an opportunity to be with their teammates and friends and be able to play. It was great they got some normalcy in the world we are living in.”

“We appreciate all the help and community support and it was disappointing that the fans couldn’t come to our last contest of the year,” commented Phelan, “I don’t agree and think the event could have been handled differently to get our fans there.”

TIFFANY JEHOREK PHOTO

The 2020 stats are three or four games shy of a typical “Cowboy” football year, but Phelan still threw for 1,024 yards, primarily to White with 402 yards, Turner with 252 yards, Clatterbaugh with 160 yards and Braydon Garcia with 120. On the ground Turner led the team with 670 yards, Woodward had 591, and Phelan 141. Total yard leaders for the team were Phelan, Turner and Woodward.

Defensively Clatterbaugh led the team in tackles with 55. Connor Blunt and Eskelson each had 41, and Woodward 38. Seven Cowboys posted stats for sacks this season, led by John Hampton Hightower with two. Turner and Trinden Powell each had three interceptions, but Clatterbaugh’s interception yielded the most yards — 75 — and Liam Deming had one for 54 yards.

This year’s seniors were Garcia, Clatterbaugh, Sheridan, Phelan, Woodward, Ethan Drake, Justin Henderson, White, and Josh Murphy.

“We really enjoyed this year’s seniors and they will be sorely missed,” commented Phelan. “It is disappointing to not be able to continue with this group of boys, but sometimes that is how these things go.”


Special to the Herald Times

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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