The first test for the Ignacio High School football team isn’t an easy one. The Bobcats will host Ellicott on Saturday.
The game is a repeat of last year’s season opener, when the Thunderhawks trounced the Bobcats 56-16 in Ellicott.
Ignacio head coach Alfonso Garcia, who is entering his third season leading the Bobcats, said his squad did a good job moving the ball against Ellicott a year ago, but struggled to get the ball in the end zone.
The Bobcats’ defense will be tasked with slowing down Ellicott senior Chianté Stewart, who led the team with 145.5 all-purpose yards per game as a junior. Last season, the Thunderhawks’ scatback ran for 465 yards on 66 carries, both ranked third on the team, and led the Thunderhawks with 11 touchdowns. He also led the team in receiving, racking up 719 yards on 32 receptions with seven touchdowns.
While Ignacio’s defense will be occupied by Stewart, the offense will be working out the kinks with players in new and unfamiliar roles.
IHS junior Trace Lovelace is tabbed as the team’s new quarterback, replacing Zach Weinreich who is on the roster at Fort Lewis College.
“He’s not a flashy kid or a big kid, but he’s got a decent arm and he’s a smart kid,” Garcia said of Lovelace. “I think the kids are embracing him and letting him know he can do the job.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium at Ignacio High School.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who: Ellicott at Ignacio
What: High school football
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bobcat Stadium, Ignacio
Listen live: KSUT 91.3 FM
