The top-seeded sixth-grade Durango youth football team won its first-round playoff game last weekend, blowing by No. 8 Kirtland, 39-6, in the quarterfinals.
Leading a strong defensive effort, Jerren Miller-King, Kegan Cowan, Darion Allen, Patrick Tucson, Brayan Hernandez-Martinez, Ethan Palmer and Isaiah McCrady all made big stops.
Jordan Willbanks intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Malique Rodriguez and Declan Desrosiers also picked off passes.
Rylan Ernst and Tyler Hoerl shared snaps at quarterback and racked up rushing and passing yards.
Ernst, Rodriguez, Fancher and Jacob Engel all scored touchdowns in the game while Fancher, Jerad Lopez and Tyler Cox converted on extra points.
The sixth grade team will next take on the No. 4 seed, Farmington Bulldogs, at 3 p.m. Saturday in Aztec.
The Durango third grade team also will compete in the semifinals Saturday. The team, which is the league’s No. 1 seed, received a bye in the first round and will take on No. 4 seed Farmington Wolfpack at the Bloomfield Middle School.
Durango’s fourth and fifth grade teams both lost in the first round of the playoffs to conclude their seasons.
