DOLORES – The energy surrounding the Dolores football program continues to grow. And with it, the Bears continue to inch their way closer toward the elite programs in the 8-man ranks.
For significant stretches of their home opener on Friday night against Rangely, the Bears demonstrated their growth, playing toe-to-toe with the Panthers. However, a handful of plays changed the complexion of the game, as the Panthers cashed in their openings in a contest much closer than the final score line of 44-6.
Dolores opened the game leaning on its defense, and the Bears came through in impressive fashion. After Rangely drove into the red zone, the Bear defense stiffened, turning the Panthers away with a fourth-down stop. Sophomore Darren Hicks, senior Brett Spore and junior Deven Winter helped corral Rangely’s ground attack by flying to the edges, and the Bears turned to their offense.
Behind Winter at quarterback and leaning on junior Michael Rantz out of the backfield, the Bears moved the ball to midfield. However, Rangely made the Bears pay for their first turnover of the evening, as Panther Gage Fielder stepped in front of a Bears pass and returned it 52 yards for a score.
The Bears found traction again in the second quarter, only to cough up the ball again, and Rangely (2-1) took advantage. Jordan Irwin scored the first of four touchdowns early in the second quarter, sparking a quick spell where the Panthers scored twice more to build a 28-0 lead.
Dolores wouldn’t go quietly, though, as Rantz broke a big kick return after Rangely scored, setting up the Bears inside the Rangely 10-yard line. Winter kept the ball around the right end, and the Bears found pay dirt behind strong blocking up front from junior Jacob Stepp and the offensive line.
On the ensuing kickoff, Dolores recovered an onside kick and drove in to the red zone right before halftime. However, a fourth-down pass to the end zone fell incomplete on the final play before the break, and the Bears trailed 28-6.
Rangely regained the momentum early in the third, scoring through the air for the first time from Bradley Lambrose to Irwin, while the Bears’ second-half drives ran out of steam. Lambrose capped the scoring with a keeper in the fourth quarter.
Dolores will host Whitehorse on Homecoming Night Sept. 20, starting at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on radio station KRTZ 98.7 FM.
In a clash of two teams ranked in the top 10 of CHSAA’s 8-man rankings, Mancos (2-1) edged Merino 36-32 in the Bluejays’ second straight trip to Fairplay.
After their bye week, the Jays will play at Dolores on Sept. 26 to open Mountain League play.
The Bulldogs made quick work of their trip to Tierra Amarilla to face the Lobos, cruising to a 50-6 win and pushing their record to 3-0.
Following a bye week, Dove Creek will travel to Monticello on Sept. 27.
