MEEKER I In a close game, Meeker defeated Steamboat Springs 20-16 Monday night at Starbuck Stadium. Outstanding play highlighted this win, with Meeker driving 70-plus yards for the winning score on their next-to-last drive. Meeker’s defense then stopped Steamboat’s last drive allowing the offense to take over and run out the clock.
Meeker played 19 different men in the contest and started 17 different players. Meeker ran for 334 yards on 52 rushing attempts. They added 14 first downs. The fine offensive play of the line was led by tackles Samarripa and Roybal, offensive guards Ricky Jeffrey and Jake Roland, offensive center Joseph Newman and lead blocker Justin Giao. Austin Brown, a junior, was back from an injury and played very well at an offensive tackle position. Austin is the Cowboys strongest player, if you go by the bench press. He has benched 278 pounds.
Tailback in the Meeker I was freshman Jeff Wagner who was the leading ground gainer for the night. He ran seven times for 104 yards. Taking over at QB in the second half, Rual Lopez led the Meeker attack. He ran the ball 10 times for 94 yards. Touchdowns were scored by Wagner (45-yards), Atoafa (4-yards) and Lopez on a 5-yard run.
On the defensive side leading tacklers were Bruno Juarez, Aaron Cochran, Levi Dinwiddie, Dylan Mobley, Matt Frantz, Ruben Roybal, Anthony Watt, Tony Collins, Luis Samarripa and Tristin Pelloni.