RANGELY I The Rams of Soroco traveled to Rangely on a beautiful Friday night to open up league play for both teams. Rangely entered the game at 1-0 and were looking to avenge a home loss from last season that jeopardized the Panthers playoff hopes. The Rams entered the game with an 0-1 record after a 52-6 drubbing from the No. 3 ranked team in Colorado A-8, Sanford High School the week before. At the end of the game, the Panthers earned 423 total offensive yards against the Rams as the Panthers defeated the Rams 56-12 to earn the top spot in the Western Slope Conference.
Junior running back Zane Varner gained 188 rushing yards with one touchdown to lead the Panthers in rushing yards. Junior quarterback Keihlin Myers added three more scores to his season stats as he ran for 57 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Anthony Lujan punished the Rams defense for 97 yards and two scores.
The Panthers enjoyed a 20-6 lead at halftime and never looked back from there. Rangely defense looked to keep the Rams off the scoreboard and they did just that. Senior defensive end Gabe Polley gave the Rams’ offense fits all night as he finished with 17 tackles, one sack, three hurries, and one blocked punt.
Fellow seniors Austin Davis and Anthony Lujan also ran amok on the Rams offense and combined for 18 more tackles.
Another bright note was when the Panther JV team was entered into the game for some playing experience and added two more scores for the Panthers. Freshman Jaxon Torsell scored his first career touchdown as he scampered for 13 yards on the run. Three plays later on defense, fellow freshman Dalton LeBleu picked up a fumbled ball from the Rams and ran it 31 yards for the last score of the game.
On Monday, Oct. 19, the Panthers JV team traveled to Oak Creek to take on Soroco and the Panthers picked up right where they left off as they defeated the Rams 62-12.
The win for the varsity team put the Panthers at 2-0 (1-0 in league play). They traveled to Kremmling to take on the West Grand Mustangs who will play their first game Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Hayden and then turn around in the short week to take on the Panthers. The game will start at 1 p.m. and will have four quarters of varsity football followed by two quarters of JV football.
Special to the Herald Times
