All three Durango Young America Football League teams advanced to the semifinals of the playoffs last weekend after the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade squads registered shutouts.
At the sixth-grade level, the Demons are in pursuit of a Super Bowl appearance, and they got off to a good start with a 34-0 win over Kirtland. Quarterback Linkin Griego threw for 158 yards and four touchdowns to Noah Miles, Ryan Dugan and Cully Feeney, who had two. The Demons also rushed for 109 yards, as Cole Pontine led the way with 47. The defense forced two turnovers in the win, as Owen Arias recovered a fumble and Michael Chavez had an interception. Feeney was also a force on defense, as he was one of 14 Demons to make a tackle and led the way with five. The Demons will take on Cortez at 1 p.m. Saturday at Doc Jones Field in Farmington.
The fourth-grade offense came to life in a big way after it defeated the Aztec Apes 26-0 at Miller Middle School in its first-round matchup. The Demons were finally able to defeat their rivals, as the Apes had defeated them twice this year, including a come-from-behind win in the final regular season clash. Quaterback Grady Feeney hit Tyler Hoerl on a 29-yard touchdown off a play-action pass, which gave Durango a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. That strike was all they would need, but the Demons also recorded touchdowns from Blaze Aguilar, Keenan Aragon and Feeney. It was the team’s highest point total since Week 2. On defense, the Demons forced three turnovers, as Feeney recorded two while Aguilar added one of his own. Durango will face the No. 1 seed, the undefeated Farmington Herd, at 11 a.m. Saturday in Kirtland.
The fourth-graders also marched to the semifinals with a 22-0 win against Cortez. Quarterback Brady Hoerl threw a 23-yard strike to Cooper Mitchell early in the game. On the ensuing Demon possession, Hoerl threw a 16-yard strike to Zane Pontine to make it 14-0. Running back Tatum Rose landed the final blow with a 26-yard rushing touchdown. On defense, Steven Gallegos led the way with nine tackles and a fumble recovery, while Mitchell added six of his own and also caused a fumble. The Demons will take on Bayfield at 1 p.m. Saturday in Kirtland.
The third-grade squad earned a bye in the first round after they finished the season undefeated.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
