Since their opening-round playoff loss to Merino High School last November, members of the Mancos High School football game had been preparing for a road matchup against the Rams on Sept. 13.
Exacting revenge was not the goal, players and members of the coaching staff insisted. Instead, registering a win and demonstrating improvement against one of Colorado’s top 8-man programs was all that mattered.
Even so, after Mancos defeated Merino 48-34 last Friday night, the wide smiles on the faces of coaches and players suggested that the Bluejays’ victory over the Rams was more significant than most wins.
Not only had Mancos scored 48 points against on one of the top defenses in the state, the Bluejays had completely bludgeoned the Rams into submission while rushing for 378 yards and six touchdowns and delivering several crushing hits from the defensive side of the ball.
After its victory, Mancos moved up from fifth to fourth in www.chsaanow.com’s latest Colorado 8-man football poll. Merino dropped from third to sixth in the poll following the loss.
Leading the way for the Bluejays in his team’s latest victory was sophomore running back Chase Moore, whose star continued to rise during a performance that saw him rush the ball 17 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns and catch two passes for 83 yards and one touchdown.
Moore’s teammate, Anthony Medina, was equally impressive at the running back position as the senior showcased his stellar speed while rushing the ball 9 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
Bluejays’ quarterback Breccen Morelli also got in on the act as the senior carried the ball 11 times for 97 yards and one score and also completed two passes for 83 yards and 1 touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Mancos was led by junior linebacker Colt Fury, who was all over the field throughout the contest and registered a team-high 25 tackles and one interception. Christian Cova was also a terror on defense as the junior was credited with 19 tackles.
After falling behind 8-0 during the first quarter, Mancos scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and carried an 18-16 lead into halftime. Two more third-quarter touchdowns by Mancos increased the Bluejays lead to 34-16. Mancos staved off a fourth quarter rally by Merino and held on for a two touchdown win.
Now 2-0 on the season, Mancos will prepare for its home opener against Sargent High School (1-1), which will take place on Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. The homecoming contest will mark the first game played on the Bluejays’ newly renovated field.