Durango’s Young America Football League teams went 4-1 last week behind stingy defense. In the four Durango wins, two were shutouts, and the opponents could only muster a total of 12 points against the Demon squads.
The second-grade Demons were the story of the week, winning their first game of the season with a 6-0 shutout over the Farmington Vikings.
Tres Esquibel powered the team on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 80 yards, scored the game’s only touchdown and recorded six tackles on defense. Antonio Martinez led the defense with seven tackles in the shutout.
The second-graders hope to keep the momentum going after an upcoming bye. They will face Bloomfield Sept. 19 at home.
It was more of the same from the third-graders, who kept their perfect record in tact with a 26-0 shutout victory against Kirtland.
Cole Pontine led the way with 84 total yards and two touchdowns. Malakai Baier, Ryan Dugan, Cully Feeney and Linkin Greigo each added a score.
The Demons will try to stay unbeaten Saturday, when they will face Farmington at home. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.
The fifth-graders flexed their muscles against Kirtland, as well, with a 33-6 romp.
AJ Polk took the opening kickoff to the house and Durango never let up. Jeric Baruch and Ethan Lennox added touchdowns for the Demons. Even offensive lineman Vince Draper got in the mix with an unlikely score of his own.
The fifth-graders will welcome Cortez next week for a rivalry game that will begin at 1 p.m.
Emmett Thompson and Will Hadrick ran roughshod over the Farmington Bandits, as the sixth-graders notched a 27-6 road win.
Thompson led the Demons with 31 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. Hadrick ran for 76 yards and added two touchdowns.
On defense, Kooper Mann had two interceptions, and Nate Messier led the team with 11 tackles.
In a battle of undefeated teams, the fourth-graders came up short, losing 41-20 to a tough Aztec Apes squad.
Two long touchdown passes from Tyler Harms to Zac Unruh weren’t enough to overcome the unorthodox Apes rushing attack. Brett Hamer added a 28-yard touchdown run.
The fourth-graders will hope to get back on track against Bayfield next week at 11 a.m.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
