Panthers lose to Tigers 6-34

RANGELY I The Rangely High School football team lost 6-34 to the Tigers from Hayden last Friday on their home field and will play in Meeker Friday in the Rio Blanco County championship in Starbuck Stadium.
“We always look forward to playing Meeker,” head coach Paul Fortunato said of the upcoming game. “It doesn’t matter if one program is up or down, there is always something special in the air and both teams take it up a notch when they play.”
Coach Fortunato said the momentum in the Hayden game changed early, as has been the case many times this season.
“Our defense plays tough, then give up one or two big plays and we mentally start losing it and the momentum shifts,” Fortunato said.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard first. After the Panther defense was holding, the Tigers connected on a 20-yard pass to start their run.
The Panthers’ only score came in the second quarter, when Austin Goetz recovered a fumble and Chaz Byerly ran it in for a touchdown from 12 yards out.
Byerly finished the game with 100 yards on 17 carries and the Panthers’ only touchdown.
Colton Coombs led the Panthers with 14 tackles, followed by Byerly with seven, Justin Goddard recorded six and Wesley Goddard was in on five tackles.
The kickoff against the Cowboys is scheduled for 7 p.m.