One state champion down, one to go for the Durango Demons.
After beating defending Class 2A state champion Bayfield 14-6 in overtime two weeks ago on homecoming, the Durango High School football team got an extra week to prepare for an even tougher opponent in defending Class 3A champion Pueblo East. The Eagles enter the 6 p.m. Friday contest with a 4-1 record, as both teams are prepared for the new-look 3A South Central League, which includes Durango this year after the Demons (3-2) dropped into Class 3A.
“This is the best scenario for us,” said DHS head coach David Vogt, “coming off a big win and getting a week to rest up and prepare for the defending 3A champs.”
The Eagles have a different coach after Lee Meisner led last year’s team to a 13-1 record and a 57-31 win against Roosevelt in the title game. Andy Watts replaced Meisner and is off to a strong start with this year’s Eagles.
Pueblo East enters the week as the second-ranked team in Class 3A on MaxPreps, which ranks the Eagles eighth overall in the state regardless of classification. CHSAA has Pueblo East ranked fourth overall, with Durango receiving three votes in the poll.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to make a statement in 3A and show people what Durango football is all about,” Vogt said.
Pueblo East senior Bryson Torres has rushed for 682 yards, good for the 25th most in the state this year across all classifications. He’s also rushed for eight touchdowns. Luke Padula is an outside weapon and averages 89 all-purpose yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Luc Andrada will be behind center for Pueblo East. He’s passed for 775 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
“They’re a physical team, big up front and their fullback has given teams a lot of problems,” Vogt said. “We’ll need Manasseh (Brockus) and the linebackers to step up and fill the holes.”
The defense was a force in the win against Bayfield two weeks ago, and that kind of effort will be needed Friday to limit the Eagles offense, which averages more than 28 points per game.
The Demons will look to counter with senior quarterback Peyton Woolverton, running backs Max Hyson and Dawson Marcum as well as all-around threat Gavin Mestas.
After playing a loaded schedule to start the season and after competing in a tough Class 4A league the previous two seasons, Vogt believes his team is ready for the challenge.
“The games last year against Pine Creek and some of the 4A top teams we played gave the guys a chance to learn how to get up for these games against the best teams,” Vogt said. “So we’ll be leaning on the guys that have been in these environments before. I’ve been challenging them all week to step up, and we’re ready to go.”
Sports writer Joe Fries contributed to this report.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
Pueblo East at Durango
What:
3A South Central League football
When:
6 p.m. Friday
Where:
Durango High School
Listen Live:
KKDG 99.7 FM
Twitter:
@The7thFreezer
