Three good bounces weren’t enough for the Mancos to overcome Dove Creek on Friday.
But they sure were exciting.
The Blue Jays scored three touchdowns on fumble recoveries in the 38-80 loss.
With seven minutes left in the first quarter and leading 14-6, Dove Creek quarterback Jordan Ernst watched a snap sail over his head, only for the Blue Jays’ Everett Strazza-Whalen gather it in on one bounce and run 30 yards for a touchdown.
Then, after a turnover on downs, the Bulldogs took possession with one second left in the second quarter and a 36-20 lead.
Dove Creek attempted to score before halftime with what appeared to be a reverse-pass.
However, during the handoff, the ball was fumbled, and Mancos’ Drew Morgan was there to scoop it up, taking it 55 yards for a halftime score of 36-26.
The Blue Jays struck again on a fumble midway through the third when Morgan collected a ball dropped by Scott Gatlin and raced 67 yards.
The score cut the Dove Creek lead to eight, 44-32, with 6:42 left in the third, but the Bulldogs then outscored Mancos 36-6.
“The kids did a good job of staying the course,” said Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman. “We didn’t hold onto the ball well at all, but credit to those guys, they were there to make the plays.”
By eliminating turnovers in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs pulled away behind three rushing touchdowns from Scott Gatlin, who finished with 220 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
After suffering a sprained MCL the previous week against Sargent, the Bulldogs were working running back Case Baughman into action. And Gatlin, Ernst and receiver Colin Hobbs provided relief.
Ernst rushed for 240 yards and three scores, and completed 16-of-21 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Hobbs hauled in 13 passes for 183 yards and two scores.
2015 eight-man bracket
Dove Creek was seeded 10 and plays No. 7 West Grand on Saturday.
Mancos was named the No. 15 seed and will play No. 2 Norwood on Friday.
