A better test awaits the Durango Demons in Week 2 after an initial drumming of the Mitchell Marauders in last week’s season opener.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, No. 11 Pueblo County (2-0) will play host to No. 2 Durango High School (1-0) in a marquee high school football matchup in the Class 3A South Central League.
“They’re well-coached and their kids play hard,” DHS head coach David Vogt said of the Hornets. “I told the guys to make sure we send a message to the state. Everybody is going to watch this game. We don’t want to play down to anyone’s level. We have to play up to our potential every game and every play.”
Durango is fresh off a 64-0 win last Saturday in Colorado Springs. It is another road trip, though a bit shorter this time around, for the Demons. Pueblo South, Durango’s Week 1 opponent that had to cancel the Week 1 game at DHS because of one player’s positive COVID-19 test, has yet to play a game, giving Pueblo County a chance to show it may be the best team in Pueblo this season.
The Hornets have picked up wins of 27-6 against Pueblo Central before a 45-7 road win last week at La Junta. The team’s offense centers around senior quarterback Chase Hartman, who has thrown for 300 yards and run for another 313 with five passing touchdowns and two scores on the ground. He has yet to throw an interception this year while he has completed 54.3% of his passes.
Behind Hartman is senior running back Ethan Mauger who has totaled 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries this season. He also has a receiving touchdown.
Hartman’s go-to receiver has been junior Bryce Vigil, who has 10 catches, three of which have gone for touchdowns, for 196 yards.
“They are pretty versatile on offense,” Vogt said. “They’ll use a fullback and a tight end, and they can also spread you out. We’re working on different blitz packages to help attack different areas that are their weaknesses. We built our defense to stop the run first. It’s going to be a good challenge to prove ourselves there. Playing a spread team last week, we’re well versed in stopping the pass. With four interceptions, we will be ready for the pass.”
Special teams play could be key. Pueblo County kicker Arron Krinsky has yet to miss an extra point or a field goal this season. DHS kicker Sam Carozza showed last week he, too, can be counted on in the kicking game for the Demons. He made all five of his extra point tries.
Durango’s powerful offense will look to keep the game out of the hands of special teams, though. Durango scored on all but one possession last week at Mitchell. The Demons were powered by the play of senior quarterback Jordan Woolverton, who connected with seven different receivers as he went 14-of-22 passing for 276 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for a score.
Two of those passing touchdowns from Woolverton went to Ben Finneseth, who had three catches for 36 yards. Both of his touchdown catches came in the end zone, as he went up in the air to haul down passes over his defenders. Earlier this week, Finneseth received a preferred walk-on offer from the University of Colorado. Woolverton also received the same offer earlier this season. Each time they hook up, it could be a preview of what they might do someday as Buffaloes in Boulder.
“(Finneseth) does extra work every day,” Vogt said. “He’s out working on jump balls in the end zone, working on his back pedal, his man coverage on defense. He hits every aspect of his game. He works so hard in the weight room, and I am so happy he is getting to live his dream and play Division I football.
“It’s crazy seeing Jordan and Ben in the summertime throwing, catching and playing. All of that extra work is huge. They have created their ability through their hard work.”
Woolverton also hit the speedy and shifty Gage Mestas four times for 110 yards. He connected on touchdown passes to Jordan Stanley, Chase Robertson and Tagert Bardin.
“One of their linebackers is an all-state wrestler, and he brings intensity with him,” Vogt said. “Their defense is pretty good, but I think we have the better skill guys on the outside and should be able to stretch the field.”
And though the passing game was deadly against Mitchell, Vogt hopes to get the run game going more often this week after the Demons ran the ball only 10 times a week ago. Junior running back Nate Messier led the rushing attack with five carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns last week.
The goal for Durango this week is simple. Win, and win big. Climbing the state rankings, Vogt wants his team to show that it is the best in all of Class 3A.
“Focus in and fix the little mistakes we had (against Mitchell),” Woolverton said. “Pueblo County is not going to be a pushover. They’re pretty good this year, and I am excited to play them.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
Game info
Who:
No. 2 Durango (1-0) at No. 11 Pueblo County (2-0)
What:
CHSAA Class 3A South Central League football
When:
2 p.m. Saturday
Where:
Pueblo County High School
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