DOVE CREEK – For Dove Creek, Dolores, and Montezuma-Cortez High School, the opening acts of the 2024 season couldn’t have gone much better. Each collected emphatic wins and with it, each program carries confidence for future success as the calendar flips to September.
Bulldog junior Josh Kibel enjoyed a field day behind strong blocking from an experienced Dove Creek line, as he scored four of the five touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ home opener on Friday.
Dove Creek never trailed after Kibel broke loose for his longest of the four scores, an 80-yard effort midway through the second quarter to build the lead to 14-6. He added another score before the intermission, before classmate Nicholas Aragon found the end zone to expand the lead to 28-6 in the third quarter.
Plateau Valley closed within two scores again late in the frame, but Kibel’s fourth rushing TD early in the fourth quarter close the door and allowed the faithful at the Soper Sports Complex to savor the home opening victory. Dove Creek will face Rangely on Friday, Sept. 6, for their second home game in as many weeks, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
The Travis Rantz era started brightly for Dolores, as the Bears cruised to their first win with a comprehensive victory over the Phoenix on Friday.
The Bears ground game worked to good effect with junior Michael Rantz enjoying a strong day, while the Bears defense shut down Justice in the first meeting between the two programs.
Dolores will look to continue their strong start when they head to Monticello for a 7 p.m. encounter on Sept. 6 with the Buckaroos.
A second consecutive trip to New Mexico yielded a second straight shutout, mercy-rule victory for the Panthers, as M-CHS cruised in all facets of the game to improve to 2-0.
The defensive unit blasted the Eagles all night producing turnovers, including pick-sixes for juniors Cooper Sopha and Isaac Dozal, and an interception by Bobby Likes and fumble recovery from junior Parker Conrad. The defense also added a safety as part of their overwhelming success on Friday.
The Panthers also found the end zone through the air, as sophomore Cody Case connected with senior Marley Linch for a score, and senior Tay Wheat returned a punt for a score, and added a couple rushing and receiving TDs to his typically productive night. M-CHS led 39-0 at the half, and were never threatened on their way to the mercy-rule win.
M-CHS prepares for a stern test for their home opener, when Strasburg pays a visit on Saturday, Sept. 7 for an 11 a.m. start at Panther Stadium.
