Facing off against Del Norte at Adams State University on Sept. 21, the Mancos High School football team found itself in a much closer game than it might have expected.
Chance Garcia was not about to let his team lose, however, and over the course of four quarters, the senior running back raced for 301 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Bluejays held on for a 24-20 victory.
The win marked Mancos’ fourth of the season in as many tries and kept the Bluejays in play for a No. 1 seed in Colorado’s 8-man playoffs. The Bluejays were ranked third in the Colorado High School Activity Association’s latest poll, which was released on Sept. 17.
Mancos’ victory over Del Norte did not come easily, as the Bluejays offense struggled throughout of the hard-fought contest.
Junior quarterback Breccen Morelli completed just one of five pass attempts and threw two interceptions, while junior Anthony Medina was held to 12 total yards. Sophomore wide receiver Christian Cova, who caught three touchdown passes during the Bluejays win over Sargent on Sept. 15, did not have a catch.
Mancos’ defense came up big, as the Bluejays held Del Norte scoreless throughout a back-and-forth fourth quarter. Mancos was led defensively by sophomore Colt Fury, who logged 13 total tackles. Senior Hunter Hoover also came up big for the Bluejays with 12 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The Bluejays led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter and 24-14 at halftime. Del Norte scored in the third quarter to cut the Bluejays’ lead to 24-20, but the Tigers were unable to get any closer.
Del Norte was led by senior quarterback Keegan Medina, who threw for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Preson Terrell scored a rushing touchdown for the Tigers, whose record dropped to 1-3 with the loss.
Mancos improved to 4-0 on the season with the win. The Bluejays’ next game will take place at home against Sangre de Cristo on Sept. 28.
