The Durango High School football team began its season Friday with a decisive victory over Farmington, 56-7.
“We had fun, we were physical, and we did a good job sticking together,” said DHS head coach Todd Casebier. “It only gets tougher, but it was a good start.”
The Demons scored almost every time they touched the ball on offense, and twice more on defense, enacting the running clock mercy rule midway through the second quarter.
Durango forced Farmington to go 3-and-out on its first possession, and Tagert Bardin returned the Scorpion punt 21 yards to Farmington’s 29. Two plays later, Zach Haber broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown.
Haber recovered a fumbled pass on Farmington’s next possession. DHS quarterback Tyler Harms then completed a 45-yard pass to tight end A.J. Folk to give DHS a first-and-goal from the six. Jeric Baruch rushed into the end zone, but an FHS penalty before the play forced DHS to try again. And Jaxon Fancher took advantage of the opportunity and scored on a short run.
It was the Durango defense’s turn next, and Haber picked off a pass and returned it about 60 yards for a score, putting DHS up 21-0 with 4:00 left in the first quarter.
A bad snap on a punt gave DHS the ball at Farmington’s 11. The Scorpions’ defense held for three plays, but on fourth-and-four, Harms tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass.
Julian Rodriguez recovered a fumble on Farmington’s next drive. On the ensuing play, Harms tossed another touchdown pass – a 19-yard strike to Folk – that put DHS up 35-0 with 1:11 still left in the first.
Farmington answered on its next drive. Quarterback Trel Griego threw a 42-yard completion to Josiyah Archuleta, and he later scored on a 1-yard keeper.
DHS, however, scored twice more in the half. Harms hit J.J. Hoerl in stride for a 40-yard touchdown pass. Then, on a heads-up play, Fancher picked up a dropped screen pass behind the line of scrimmage – technically a fumble – and ran it about 30 yards for a score.
To begin the second half, DHS ate almost eight minutes off the clock before Haber broke free again for a 10-yard rushing touchdown, putting DHS up 56-7.
Farmington went to the air after that, but its last two possessions ended with interceptions by Mason Palmer.
“It was a great night for us,” Casebier said, “but we have to do it again next week.”
Casebier also credited his assistant coaches Woolverton, Bates, Bear and Gaines. “They had a great plan on D,” he said.
Bardin hurt his wrist in the game, but Casebier said he hoped he would be back soon.
“I’m happy for our seniors; Farmington beat us last year,” Casebier said, adding. “Everybody got in and everybody played hard.”
The Demons will play at Piedra Vista next Friday. PV beat Farmington in its opener, 53-31.
The story in Bayfield was similar to Durango, except San Juan (Utah) was doling out the pain.
The No. 1 Broncos – defending UHSAA 2A state champs – led the Wolverines 35-0 after one and 42-0 at halftime.
SJHS quarterback Parker Snyder threw four touchdowns.
The Wolverines, meanwhile, turned the ball over five times, with quarterback Deegan Barnes getting picked off four times. BHS also fumbled its first kickoff return and had a punt blocked.
