The second-half climb was just too steep.
The Durango High School football team allowed 28 points in the first half at Palisade, then couldn’t score enough in the second half to complete the comeback, losing 28-21 on Saturday to the third-ranked team in 3A.
The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 Western Slope League) put up 14 points in the first and second quarters behind four rushing touchdowns.
Running back Dalton Hannigan scored from 58 yards and 9 yards out, while quarterback Levi Hoaglund had a 97-yard touchdown run and a 5-yard score.
DHS had a Jeremy Szura 11-yard pass to Blake Dunlap and a Lawrence Mayberry 4-yard run for first-half scores.
DHS scored with 3 minutes left in the third quarter on a Szura 10-yard pass to Casey Dunlap to cut the deficit to seven points.
The loss snapped the 4A Demons’ unbeaten start.
DHS will open Southwestern League play Friday at home against 5-1 Grand Junction. The Tigers’ only loss (66-45) was to perennial Class 5A power Ralston Valley.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
