MEEKER | The No. 8 Meeker Cowboys traveled to Buena Vista this past weekend to face the No. 1 Buena Vista Demons in the quarterfinal round of the CHSAA Class 1A state playoffs. The Cowboys came into the matchup after a 41-18 win over the No. 9 Platte Valley Broncos the previous weekend in the first round at home.
Meeker’s playoff run ended Saturday as they fell 40-14 on the road to Buena Vista. The Cowboys hung in early but couldn’t keep pace with the Demons’ explosive offense.
Junior quarterback Cade Mills led the Meeker offense with 115 total yards and a rushing touchdown, while junior running back Tucker Chinn added 67 yards on the ground, averaging more than eight yards per carry. Junior Said Rodriguez scored Meeker’s other touchdown and finished with 74 all-purpose yards. Freshman Lawson Anderson led the team in receiving and also handled kickoff duties. On defense, senior linebacker Tristin Rollins paced the Cowboys with nine tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Head coach Andy Coryell, completing his fourth season at Meeker, reflected on the team’s effort.
“It’s tough to measure being successful in the win-loss column, because they did so many good things in that game,” Coryell said. “We ran into a good football team today, and there’s no shame in getting beat by a good football team. They came a long way, and even in a lopsided game, they were still fighting their tails off. Those are good kids, and they play hard.”
Coryell also offered advice for younger players.
“There are a lot of lessons you learn from all this,” he said. “We stole a few extra weeks in the playoffs, and I’m hoping they developed and learned some things. They got to come to a hostile environment in November, and you can’t simulate that. I’m proud of the guys for making it here, and now we’ll get to work on next year.”
Meeker finished the season 8-3, going undefeated in league play. The Cowboys showed resilience and determination throughout the year, proving they can compete with some of the top programs in the state. While their playoff run ended in the quarterfinals, the season provided valuable experience for returning players and a strong foundation for next year.
(Above left) Meeker team captains — senior Sam Conrado and juniors Cade Mills, Tucker Chinn, and Said Rodriguez —participate in the coin toss before Saturday’s quarterfinal playoff game against Buena Vista. (Above right) Meeker head coach Andy Coryell talks to his team during a timeout in Saturday’s quarterfinal playoff game against Buena Vista. Jared Henderson PHOTOS