Bears

Bears, Bulldogs open A football playoffs

Nov 3, 2001

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

Dolores will host its first Class A playoff game ever, according to head coach Don Story, at noon (originally set for 1 p.m. but South Park wanted it moved up) today, Nov. 3, against South Park at DHS Field. Dolores played a post-season game a few years ago at Sargent, won there, and then lost at West Grand in the quarterfinals. It also played in a playoff game in the early 1980s but played on the road. With their 28-19 win at Mancos on Oct. 26, the Bears, 7-2 overall captured the San Juan Basin League title with a perfect 4-0 record and received the no. 1 seed from the league into the playoffs.

Members of the Dolores team include: Freshman Brian Valdez, senior Cullen Zion, senior Kevin Fane, junior Duston Russell, freshman Andrew Swope, junior Justin Reed, freshman Brian Swiggart, sophomore Luke Ragland, junior Chad Hanson, senior Garrett Nielson, senior Casey Garvin, freshman Josh Sarten, freshman Cory McCracken, freshman Matt Larson, sophomore Curtis Leonard, freshman Dylan Schaffer, freshman Joel Snyder, freshman Tyler Quintana, sophomore Dakota Crevenka, sophomore Bryan Lemmons, sophomore Jonathan Stanford, sophomore Sean Boone, sophomore Nate Head, sophomore Chris Patterson, senior Tyler Hicks, senior Derek Thompson, senior Chris Leonard, junior Bradley Apple, senior Waylon Bennett, freshman Jason Erickson, junior Jonathan Larson, senior Aeson Reed, and senior Brady Blackmer. Story is assisted by his son, Scott, and Stan Davis. The manager is Jennifer Trevillian.

The option game for Dolores has been hard for opponents to handle for many of its San Juan Basin League rivals this season. Zion not only leads the Bears in rushing with 1,188 yards, but in passing with 858. His top receivers have been Bennett (521 yards) and Reed (256). But to concentrate on Zion means Nielsen (531 yards rushing) and Garvin (478) will be loose running. A good running game sets up the passing game. South Park also has a good running back in Owen Springer, who gained 1,005 yards. It also has talent at receiver in Chris Dinges (24 catches, 387 yards). Springer also leads the team in tackles with 100.

No. 7 ranked Dolores County (8-1 overall) finished as the league runner-up and got the no. 2 seed. The Bulldogs, 8-1 overall, will visit Hayden, also set for a 1 p.m. kickoff today.

Members of the Dolores County team include: Senior Keith Pierce, senior Bru Meyer, senior Lyle Joe, senior Dallas Coker, senior James Smith, senior Casey Spitzer, senior Darin Retherford, senior Kyle Riddell, senior Brandan Donelow, junior Joe Buffington, junior Trent Daves, junior Brandon Neely, junior Kyle Krafka, junior Riley Williams, junior Verne Hassell, sophomore Trinity Cressler, sophomore Matt Beanland, sophomore Chase Davis, sophomore Jake Williams, sophomore Eddie Hapler, sophomore R.C. Jones, sophomore Nathan Adams, sophomore Trinity Donelow, freshman Drew Buffington, freshman Brennan Banks, freshman Zach Larimore, freshman Landon Putnam, freshman John Smith, and freshman Drew Retherford. Soper is assisted by Shane Baughman, Steve Stiasny, and Jerry Boles. Adam Bankston is the manager.

Hayden (4-5 overall) is a team the Bulldogs can beat if they play up to their capabilities. Hayden will have to use home field to its advantage if the Tigers, the only team in the playoffs with a losing record, expect to advance. A lot will be expected of runningback Jaques Denker and quarterback Kevin Miller. Dolores County certainly looks to be a favorite in this game. They will depend heavily on the passing-receiving duo of Pierce (1,626 yards passing) and Coker (737 receiving). Fullback Meyer complemented the pair with 623 yards rushing but is slowed from an injury.

Here are the other first-round playoff Class A games: No. 2 ranked West Grand (9-0) is hosting Lyons (6-3); top rated Akron (9-0) hosts Crowley County (6-3); No. 3 Sanford entertains Byers (7-2); Custer County (7-2) has Limon (7-2); Las Animas (7-2) is home to Holyoke (4-5); and Del Norte (7-2) hosts Wiggins (8-1).

Should Dolores defeat South Park it would get the winner of West Grand-Lyons, likely West Grand. Should Dolores County win at Hayden it would get the winner of Akron-Crowley County, likely Akron. The championship game is set for Nov. 24.

Ticket prices, as set by the Colorado High School Activities Association, are $4 for students and senior citizens and $6 for general admission. No faculty, student or league passes will be accepted only CHSAA issued passes.

Montezuma-Cortez High School will wrap up the regular season as it visits Moffat County in Craig at 1 p.m. today for a Class 3A Western Slope League contest. The Panthers, who are out of the post-season playoff picture, can certainly end the year on a positive note with back-to-back wins. MCHS beat Battle Mountain at home last week 17-7. The Panthers are currently 2-7 overall.

Seniors playing in their final game include Kevin Wayman, P.J. James, Devin Sena, Travis Spruell, Kyle Doudy, Carlos Martinez, Gabe Evans, A.J. Herrmann, Keve Goodall, Colin Tansey, Jason Lindhorst, Derique Duran, Elias Lehi, Andrew Duncan, Richard Berger, Levi Hill, Daniel Gonzales, and Morgan Oliver.