After his team’s poor showing in last week’s pivotal crossover game against Vail Mountain, Durango boys lacrosse head coach John Robinette wasn’t sure if the Demons would get another chance to play this season.
“This one really stings,” Robinette said after the 14-5 loss to Vail Mountain. “I don’t know what to say about it except we picked a horrible time to have our worst game. It hurts, but we want one more. We can’t go out like that.”
Fortunately, for Robinette and the Demons, the Colorado High School Activities Association gave them one more chance.
CHSAA announced its 4A Boys Lacrosse State Tournament bracket announcement Monday, and Durango was the second to last team in. As the 15-seed, the Demons will have to get it together in a hurry as they are scheduled to be in the Denver area for a 7 p.m. game Tuesday for their match at No. 2 Valor Christian.
“I’m totally excited for these guys and super happy for the seniors,” Robinette said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “I’m wouldn’t say I’m surprised, but I am relieved. We’re a heavy underdog, though. Nobody outside of our locker room is going to give us any chance to win this one, so the pressure is on them.”
The deck is stacked against the Demons no matter how the matchup is dissected.
The short turnaround and long bus ride before the game is a factor for most road teams this time of year. When the Demons finally hop off the bus, they’ll be greeted by a Valor Christian team that has won 12 of its last 13 games, including eight in a row heading into the playoffs.
“I’m happy that we get to play (Valor Christian),” Robinette said. “Our guys have been to their place before, so we know their style of play and we are familiar with the surroundings. They have a number of good players and their coach is one of the best around.”
Durango has a star of its own in Kyle Robinette who has been carrying the load for the Demons all season. The junior is second in CHSAA’s 4A with a whopping 53 goals and is also second in ground balls with 120. He is joined by younger brother Cullen Robinette, who is second on the team with 19 goals as a freshman. Sophomore Tommy Rodgers is always dangerous with possession and leads the team with 31 assists to go with 17 goals. Collin Barkley, Jackson Steigelman and Oaken Oles are more offensive threats for Durango who are capable of doing damage, and the Demons are going to need all hands on deck.
“We have a lot of weapons and we need everyone to be at their best,” Robinette said. “We need to be smart and, most importantly, keep possession. If we limit our turnovers and keep possession like we’re capable of, you never know what can happen.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
