The Mancos High School football team traveled to Cortez last Thursday for its second 7-on-7 scrimmage with Montezuma-Cortez and Dolores.
The round robin scrimmage began with one team's offense on the 20-yard line and allowed them to run 20 plays, with a turnover or touchdown requiring them to start over at the 20.
In their first matchup against Dolores, the Blue Jays came out shaky on the offensive end and the Bears' defense looked sharp. On the first play of the series, Dolores sophomore Josh Corbitt intercepted junior quarterback Axel Bonde. The Blue Jays struggled to move the ball and complete passes for many of their 20 allotted plays.
However, by the end of their offensive set, quarterback Bonde was developing a rhythm with senior wide receiver Everett Whalen.
The Blue Jays looked more comfortable defensively. For the first few plays against the Dolores offense, the Blue Jays allowed only a few short completions. But with the ball at midfield, a lapse in the secondary allowed Bears' receiver Tristan Medina to break loose for a long touchdown.
Mancos recovered from the mistake to defend multiple passes, and sophomore Kaleb Hargrave came up with an interception.
Mancos took on M-CHS in its second scrimmage of the evening, and it played out much like the first. Another slow start offensively led to a Mancos turnover on downs after failing to reach the first-down marker. After starting over from the 20-yard line, another Mancos turnover came in the form of an interception.
Again, the Blue Jays seemed to settle in as the series went on, with freshmen Casey Orange and Caden Galloway completing passes and gaining quarterback experience.
Mancos was more competitive on the other side of the ball. The Blue Jays defensive backs jumped passes and knocked down balls thrown by M-CHS freshman quarterback Ethan Long. Junior Liam Cooper was able to hold on to one of the passes for an interception.
Due to possible scheduling conflicts, the schools have yet to determine if they will meet again this Thursday for a final 7-on-7 scrimmage.
