While Friday night’s contest against Dolores began with a senior farewell, Dove Creek can rest assured that their seven members of the Class of 2023 haven’t seen their final action at the Soper Sports Complex this year.
The Bulldogs officially clinched the top spot in the Mountain League, controlling all three phases against the Bears in their 63-0 victory.
Dove Creek (8-0, 3-0 League 1) flummoxed the Bears offense from the opening snap of the game, scoring two defensive touchdowns in the first two minutes, while adding three safeties and a kickoff return for a touchdown on their way to the win.
Entering the weekend as the No. 2 team by the Colorado High School Activities Association, Shane Baughman’s Bulldogs have looked the part through eight games. Only twice this season have the ‘Dogs scored less than half a century on their opponents, so the path to the 8-man state championship game appears to go through Dove Creek.
The Bulldog sdefensive front of seniors Audric Chadd, Taber Dejane and junior Tyson Beanland, with the rotation of seniors Gaige Cressler and Dustin Glover, took turns hassling Bears sophomore quarterback Tray Traweek all evening.
Bulldog leading tackler Quaden Huffaker anchors a linebacking core that is among the fastest in the classification, while senior Cole Taber and the secondary kept a pass-oriented Bears offense in check.
Taber corralled an interception of Traweek on the first play from scrimmage and returned it for a score to set the tone, and the Bulldogs never looked back. Two defensive scores later – a fumble return and a safety – and Dove Creek held a 14-0 lead before their offense took their first snap.
“We got a quick jump on the ball all night,” said Chadd, “and that has to do with our technique, which we’ve all been working on.”
When the Dove Creek offense finally got to work, the ‘Dogs move the ball efficiently down the field, before Gardner scored the first of five Bulldog rushing touchdowns.
Junior Gage Buffington added three rushing TDs, all before halftime, then returned the opening kickoff of the second half back for his fourth trip to the end zone.
The Bulldogs offensive line opened up holes for Buffington and the rest of Dove Creek’s ball carriers, led by Chadd’s dominance at left guard.
“One of our biggest strengths this year has been our depth,” said Chadd, “so our guys can go 100% all the time, because the next man up is going to bring the same level.”
Dolores (0-6, 0-3 League 1) enjoyed some of their brightest moments through the air, as Traweek did find more a rhythm in the second quarter, connecting with Michael Millard for a 65-yard completion. However, an interception stymied the Bears’ best threat of the night.
First-year head coach Joseph Gonzales’ Bears kept battling hard throughout the evening, as junior Ty Gaddis forced a fumble, and freshman Parker Conrad collected a handful of receptions from Traweek.
In the closing moments, the Dove Creek upperclassmen gave way to the next wave of Bulldogs, allowing the seniors to reflect on their progression through four years at Dove Creek High School.
“Freshman year seems like yesterday,” said Chadd, “and to celebrate our journey as a group made the night more special.”
Since their freshman season, the Class of 2023 has posted a record of 24-10, including their historic run to the state semifinals two years ago. Now, their sights are set on a bigger prize with the postseason looming.
“They’ve played together since the peewee level,” said Baughman of his seniors, “and they’ve been such a tight-knit group – it was nice to have them share that moment with family and friends in their final night game here.”
Dove Creek preserved its second shutout of the season, and now moves on to face Sargent, looking to close out an unbeaten regular season. The Bulldogs face the Farmers for a Friday night clash on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Dolores, meanwhile, will finish out their 2022 campaign with a trip to Sanford, to also be played at 6 p.m. on the 28th.
