The Meeker Cowboys are on to quarterfinals in the 2023 Colorado Class 1A High School Football Playoffs.
The Highland Huskies came out tough, putting up the first points of the game, but that is all the Cowboys would allow.
“I think they came out with a better sense of urgency then we did,” commented head coach Andy Coreyll.
“Their offense was intense and I think the defense played well,” said Coreyll. “It took all of them and all four quarters to get the game finished but we got it done.”
The Cowboys scored late in the fourth quarter when the defense and offense began firing on all cylinders, and the two teams went into halftime tied seven-all.
“I’m not sure why we didn’t start super fast and sometimes a good team will make us look like we don’t play well,” commented Coreyll.
On both sides of the ball the Cowboys struggled with penalties, but in the end they won the penalty game.
The Huskies and Cowboys each had turnovers, but key fumbles and interceptions, and the game turned the Cowboy way in the second half. A definite turning point in the game was a strong tackle at the one yard line by Said Rodriguez stopping the score followed by Dawson Willey with a clutch fumble recovery the following play to stop the score yet again. The Cowboys drove down the field to score and Highland was unable to answer. Then late in the fourth Jace Mobley intercepted the ball about midfield, Meeker was able to control the rest of the time for the game and win 20-7.
Meeker’s offensive line allowed Ryan Sullivan to throw a 81.2% completion rate for 138 yards to Cade Blunt, Jacob Blazon, and Guage Hicks. On the ground the offense added 226 rushing yards, 129 from Clay Crawford, 70 from Blunt and 26 from Wyatt Powers.
The defense, only allowing one offensive score, was led by Brendan Clatterbaugh with eight tackles, Judd Harvey with seven, and Blunt with six.
This week the team is preparing for its second matchup of the year against the Buena Vista Demons. The Demons came into the playoffs ranked fifth, just one behind the Cowboys. In their first round they beat Colorado Springs Christian in a close 27-21 game.
“I am sure those boys remember our game just a month ago, and they are a well coached team and he will have made the necessary adjustments,” said Coryell. “We are preparing like we do for any other game as this could look like a very different team.”
Kickoff will be on Saturday at 1pm at Starbucks Stadium.
The Cowboys will take the field against the Buena Vista Demons this Saturday at Starbuck Stadium at 1 p.m. in a quarterfinal competition on the path to state. TIFFANY JEHOREK photo
