After they’ve received their diplomas, a number of local football standouts will represent their respective schools on the gridiron one final time, as eight Mancos and Dove Creek athletes were selected to the 8-Man All-Star Game, to be played at Gilpin County High School on June 3.
It’ll be a rematch of sorts when the South team lines up against the North.
With Mancos head coach Josh Gardner heading the South team, six Jays will take to the field, the most heavily represented program of any team in the state. Luika Cova, Kruiz Wagoner, Mason Goodwin, Andres Moreno, Chase Moore, and Jesse Henry all landed on the squad after the program’s first ever trip to the state championship game.
Their opposition – the North team – will be led by Haxtun’s coaching staff, led by JD Stone, as five of his graduated seniors will look to make one final statement after their dominant run through the 8-man postseason.
Two Dove Creek Bulldogs will join forces with Gardner’s squad, as seniors Chorbin Cressler and Blane Johnson will make their final appearances in the yellow Dove Creek helmet.
In another strong fall for Southwest Colorado football, both the Bluejays and Bulldogs stormed into the 8-man playoffs – Mancos as the No. 2 team in the state after an unbeaten regular season, and Dove Creek at the No. 4 team.
The Bluejays rolled to the title game with wins over Fowler, Dayspring Christian and Sanford, making history for the program with their 10th victory and first appearance in the championship bout, before falling to Haxtun. The six representatives for Gardner’s Jays played a pivotal role in generating a nearly unstoppable offense, while the Mancos defense kept opposition to under 14 points per game.
Dove Creek, meanwhile, advanced in the postseason for the second consecutive campaign, knocking off Crowley County in the opening round of the playoffs, before bowing out against Holly. The lone two seniors for head coach Shane Baughman’s Bulldogs in ’21 provided leadership for a strong group of sophomores and juniors, while guiding the Dove Creek offense to another strong campaign.
Mancos and Dove Creek representatives will play with other standouts of the Mountain, Southern, and Arkansas Valley Leagues as part of the South team. Team North will consist of Plains, Northwest and Central league all-stars.
The game’s purpose is to help raise funds to help support 8-man athletes who are pursuing post-secondary education with academic scholarships, as well as help raise money toward improved safety equipment for the athletes. Admission for the 7 p.m. contest on June 3 at Gilpin County High School in Black Hawk will help the fundraising efforts.
