Once again showing a propensity for physical play on both sides of the ball, the Dove Creek High School football team bashed its way to a 48-12 victory over Monument Valley (Utah) in Dove Creek on Oct. 7.
Among the keys to Dove Creek’s big win were dominant performances by offensive linemen JD Dennison, Hayden Gray and Austin Green, who opened gaping holes for their team’s running backs and quarterback throughout the night.
Quarterback Chorbin Cressler scored five rushing touchdowns, and running backs Gage Bailey and Gauge Thompson ripped off several long runs throughout a game that was defined by its physicality from start to finish.
“I think our line was a big part of (the win),” Thompson said. “I think that’s what got us most of the runs and all the passes. We were able to hold our blocks and that made a big difference.”
While Dove Creek’s offensive line shined, so too did freshman quarterback Cressler, who deftly managed his team’s complex offense while making an impact with his legs and his arm.
After scoring two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and two rushing touchdowns in the second, Cressler made what was perhaps his finest play of the game when he faked a handoff to the left and rolled to his right before firing a six-yard pass to Thompson in the right corner of the end zone.
The scoring strike put the Bulldogs ahead 34-6 with 5:31 to go in the second quarter, and after a 24-yard scoring run by Cressler with 2:04 left in the first half, Dove Creek found itself ahead 42-6 heading into the halftime break.
Throughout the second half, Dove Creek continued to pound the ball ahead with its running game, and at points in the contest, the Bulldogs even employed Dennison and Gray at the running back and fullback positions.
As the linemen took handoffs and smashed their way past undersized Monument Valley linebackers, Dove Creek fans cheered and Bulldogs exchanged high fives and exuded the type of confidence that comes with a three-game winning streak.
“I think we’re pretty confident,” Thompson said. “We just need to continue to work as hard as we can. Our line has to keep holding its blocks and our running backs need to continue to run hard. That’s what’s going to get us to the playoffs.”
With its record now at 5-2 overall, Dove Creek will return to its practice field in preparation for a road game against Sargent on Oct. 4.
“We need to focus on everything,” Cressler said. “We’ll only have a couple of practices because it’s going to be a short week. We need to pay attention in practice and really know what we’re doing.”
