Heading into its home matchup against Sanford High School, the Mancos High School football team knew that it would have its work cut out for it against undefeated Sanford.
Few coaches, players or fans could have anticipated just how tough the Bluejays would have it, however, during a highly physical contest that ended with a convincing 52-24 Sanford victory.
Among the many compelling storylines in the contest, which pitted two of the top eight-man football teams in Colorado against each another, were key injuries to Mancos seniors Anthony Medina and Hunter Goodwin that came during the half.
Left with glaring holes on their offensive and defensive lines and in their backfield, the Bluejays found it difficult to move the ball against Sanford’s physical defense, which punished Mancos ball carriers from start to finish.
Also contributing to Mancos’ woes was speed and playmaking ability of Sanford sophomore Kelton Gartrell, who scored four touchdowns during a first half in which he was clearly the most talented player on the field.
In spite of its difficulties however, Mancos players produced their fair share of highlights and gave their talented opponents all that they could handle throughout much of the first half and into the third quarter.
On their opening drive of the contest, the Bluejays drew first blood when senior quarterback Breccen Morelli bolted around the left side and raced into the end zone from 43 yards out to give his team a 6-0 lead with 9:37 left in the first quarter.
After Gartrell took a handoff and raced for a 92-yard touchdown on Sanford’s play from scrimmage, Mancos regained possession and moved the ball effectively before taking a 12-6 lead on a 5-yard scoring run by sophomore running back Chase Moore.
The moments leading up to Moore’s score proved costly however, as Medina injured his ankle while drawing a pass interference penalty while trying to catch a long pass from Morelli on a key fourth-and-long play.
After Sanford’s speedy Gartrell scored on a 92-yard run, a 63-yard punt return and a 65-yard run, Mancos found itself trailing 28-12 heading into the locker room at halftime.
After a fiery halftime speech by associate head coach Allen Matthews, the Bluejays began the third quarter with renewed energy and cut Sanford’s lead to 28-18 after a long drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Moore.
However, two touchdown runs later in the third quarter by senior Clay Canty gave Sanford a 44-18 lead, and after Moore and Canty each scored fourth-quarter touchdowns, time expired with the Bluejays trailing 52-24.
Statistical leaders for Mancos included Morelli, who rushed for 103 yards, passed for 59 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Moore led Mancos in rushing with 135 yards and three touchdowns, and the sophomore also pulled in two passes for 38 yards.
Junior linebacker Colt Fury led the Bluejays in tackles with 11 and 2 sacks, and Morelli came up big from his defensive end position with 10 tackles and sacks. Moore fumbled twice, and Morelli threw one interception.
Now 5-1 overall, 3-1 in the A-8 Mountain League and ranked No. 5 in the www.chsaanow.com poll, Mancos will look to return to its winning ways when it plays it final home game of the regular season against Norwood High School on Oct. 17.
