The bar has been set for the Durango High School football team.
Three Demons will continue their football careers across the Animas River at Fort Lewis College.
Caleb Lloyd, Isiah Mayberry and Westly Moore signed national letters of intent Wednesday to join the Skyhawks next season.
Lloyd will play safety, Mayberry linebacker and Moore either linebacker or tight end.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and kind of overlooked (FLC). I went up there for a visit, and it was a lot better than I thought it was,” said Moore, son of Jimmer and Melody Moore. “We live in such a great town, why not go up there?”
The desire to stay close to home also gripped Lloyd and Mayberry, who both considered Division II powerhouse CSU-Pueblo before ultimately deciding on the Skyhawks.
“It’s a good community, my family lives here, and it’s good to be close to home,” said Mayberry, son of George and Tonya Mayberry.
Mayberry and Moore made the All-Southwestern League first team this season after the Demons went 8-3 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
Lloyd finished his senior season with 134 total tackles and two interceptions, Mayberry had 98 tackles and a sack, and Moore finished second on DHS with four sacks.
“Because of the season we had, I think the kids got looked at,” DHS head coach David Vogt said at the signing.
The Skyhawks’ own turnaround under head coach John L. Smith helped keep the DHS products close to home, too. FLC went 4-7 last season, Smith’s first at FLC, and 3-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
“I think it’s a good turnaround; I’m all about that,” said Lloyd, son of Joe and LeAnna Lloyd. “I think that us three can go in there and help that turn into more wins.”
There’s also an element of bonding.The Demons want to stick together and make an impact on their hometown college football team.
“I think us three Durango guys can get some butts in the seats, help fill the stands,” Lloyd said. “I think that us three can make a difference up there.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
