A slate of road games provided ample competition for Durango’s four Young America Football League teams.
The action was highlighted by the fourth-grade Demons, who rallied after trailing most of the game against Bloomfield, New Mexico.
In the final minutes of the game’s fourth quarter, Durango quarterback Tyler Harms unleashed a beautiful 40-yard touchdown pass to Zac Unruh to give Durango a thrilling 20-16 victory.
Durango’s Brett Hamer had kept the game close with a 57-yard touchdown run and a kickoff return for a touchdown before the late touchdown pass. The defense was tested by Bloomfield early but made the right halftime adjustments. Connor McCroskey had eight tackles and a fumble recovery, Tanner Anderson made big plays all over the field, including a forced fumble and seven tackles, and Jacob Roberts added four more tackles.
The fourth-graders will return to New Mexico at 3 p.m. Saturday to take on the always competitive Aztec Apes.
Another Durango win during Week 3 came at the third-grade level. The Demons defeated Aztec 20-6 to improve to 3-0 this season.
Cole Pontine led the way with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Linkin Griego rushed for 30 yards and another touchdown. Malakai Baier and Ryan Dugan each rushed for 30 yards.
Defensively, Otto Aaland again was a standout with an interception and four tackles. Owen Arias and Cole Kusar each had sacks in the game.
The third-graders will stay on the road next weekend with a 3 p.m. game at Kirtland, New Mexico.
Durango’s fifth-grade group also secured a 34-7 victory, the win coming against the Farmington Bobcats. The team dominated both sides of the ball and will look to do more of the same when it faces Kirtland at 5 p.m. Saturday.
In another epic matchup, Durango’s sixth-grade group tangled with the defending YAFL Super Bowl champion Farmington Panthers. The game was hard-hitting from the opening kick and defined by execution. Farmington had the upper hand, going on to win 20-0.
Defensively, the sixth-graders were led by Stanton Gustavson, Ashton Harrison and Bryson Kreeger, who had the play of the game when he burst through Farmington’s offensive line to strip a running back and recover the fumble. The line of Travis Barkley, Xavier Chavez, Lincoln Clay, Devin Davidovich, William Knight and Marcos Stevens also had to be commended for its effort, especially as the injury bug hit the Demons and many players were forced to play on both sides of the ball.
The sixth-graders will try to regroup at 1 p.m. Saturday in Farmington against the Bandits.
Finally, the Durango second-graders took a few lumps in a 12-0 loss as they continue to learn the game. The Demons will look for their elusive first victory at 9 a.m. Saturday in Farmington against the Vikings.
For more information, visit www.fourcornersyafl.com.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
