Durango’s young football players returned to the field last weekend, and it was a dominant start for two grades of Demons.
The fifth-grade Durango Young America Football League team beat cross-county rival Bayfield 32-0.
The defense was relentless, even when a turnover gave Bayfield the ball inside the Demons’ 10-yard line in the second quarter. Otto Aaland led the team in tackles and recovered a fumble. Elijah McCrady had a quarterback sack and blocked a punt. The combined efforts of Ryan Dugan, Cully Feeney, Marley Linch and Cole Pontine also helped the defense keep the Wolverines off the scoreboard.
Cole Pontine led the fifth graders offensively with 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Wyatt Bartel and Feeney also ran for touchdowns. Quarterback Linkin Griego passed for 89 yards and one touchdown, with Malakai Baker hauling in 69 yards of receptions, including a long touchdown pass early in the game. The offense was anchored by the strong line play of Elijah Oyler, Braxton Waddell, Elijah McCrady, Connor Jones and Marcus Cullum.
The Demons will face Bloomfield at 1 p.m. Saturday at Miller Middle School in Durango.
Durango’s fourth-grade team opened the year with a 25-7 win on the road at Bloomfield. Braeden Brown passed for 45 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score. Brady Hoerl rushed for two touchdowns and was on the receiving end of another.
The defense of Durango dominated in fourth grade, too. The Demons recovered four fumbles, and Cooper Mitchell led the team with five tackles.
The fourth-grade squad will continue the season at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Farmington Panthers at Doc Jones Field.
Action will pick up across the YAFL age divisions this weekend.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
