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Durango football sharp early in scrimmage against Montezuma-Cortez

Durango football sharp in preseason scrimmage

One year after winning a tight quarterback battle against a returning senior, Terrence Trujillo has made the Durango Demons his football team.

Trujillo, a senior at Durango High School, was all over the field during a scrimmage against Montezuma-Cortez on Friday on the outfield grass at Walden Memorial Field.

Trujillo showed excellent timing with his receivers, converting on several deep passes to some of his favorite targets, including fellow senior Lucas Baken. Trujillo also made several big hits from his defensive back position, including a quarterback sack.

Trujillo plans to play on both sides of the ball all season.

“I’m a football player, not just a quarterback,” said Trujillo son of Geno and Nicole Trujillo. “I can’t take any plays off.”

The scrimmage was the first chance both teams had to see outside competition this summer. After two weeks of practices, both sides were anxious to take the field and prove themselves.

Montezuma-Cortez first-year head coach Dave Wagner wanted to set an early tone, but his young team struggled to keep up with a Durango team with more size and experience.

Of the Class 2A Panthers’ 42 players, Wagner estimated 25 are freshman.

“I almost felt like it was seven on 10 (on Friday), because we didn’t have any line play,” Wagner said. “I wanted to come down here, and I wanted to put it on them.

“To be honest, when the kids came down here and saw (Durango’s) size, I think, again last year they played eighth grade and this year they are looking at seniors and juniors and thinking ‘holy smokes.’ At one point, kids were hesitant to come in.”

Durango head coach David Vogt, who is embarking on his third season leading the Demons, was pleased with his team’s play.

More than adding any plays or changing scheme, Vogt was more concerned with improving the team’s energy level going into this season.

“We did a lot of really good things, especially this early in the season,” Vogt said. “The excitement is huge. Just the energy and having the kids be fired up about playing, that’s what we want. Carrying that helps us make big plays.”

Vogt was impressed by Trujillo’s leadership, and he is proud of how the senior has taken control of the team.

“Terrence has really stepped into the role and taken charge of the whole team. We expect that in our quarterback,” Vogt said. “He’s a great all-around player with lots of energy.”

Durango’s defense forced turnovers and attacked Cortez quarterback Cordell Ridings. Wagner was impressed by his senior quarterback’s composure and ability to keep moving forward.

Younger players also got the chance to see the field. The varsity players eagerly watched as freshman and sophomores made big plays, too.

“It’s pretty cool watching those guys,” said Baken, son of Dante and Jessica Baken. “My little brother (Dylan) is out there with his friends and stuff, and that’s really fun to watch.”

Durango High School will open its season Aug. 28 with a neutral-field game at Adams State College in Alamosa against Class 3A Lutheran. The Demons went 4-6 last year and 2-3 in the newly-created Class 4A Pikes Peak League, which is headlined by two-time defending state champion Pine Creek.

“Everyone is excited to play them and get to that game,” Trujillo said of the Lutheran matchup. “It’s going to be a fun day, no doubt.”

jlivingston@durangoherald.com



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