Durango’s Young America Football League teams continued to roll behind strong defensive performances in Week 3.
The third-grade Demons improved to 3-0 with yet another shutout, this time a 34-0 win against the Farmington Bulldogs. Malique Rodriguez rushed for two touchdowns, Rylan Ernst and Griffin McCroskey each added another score, and Ernst completed a pass to Isaiah McCrady for another Durango touchdown. The powerhouse defensive line of Jacob Engel, Aiden Green, Stetson Coulier and Jerren Miller-King held the Bulldogs to one first down. Darion Allen, McCrady, Jordan Willbanks, McCroskey and Lopez racked up sacks and fumble recoveries as well as multiple tackles for losses. The third-graders will be back in action at 1 p.m. Saturday at Farmington’s Doc Jones Field to take on the Farmington Crush.
Durango’s fifth-grade team also had a shutout with a 13-0 win against Bloomfield. Brady Hoerl threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Zane Pontine for the lone offensive score. Wes Recla added a defensive score, as he recovered a fumble in the end zone. Pontine and Braiden Tulley led the defense in tackles. The fifth-grade unti will host Cortez at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Demons earned a third shutout at the fourth-grade level in a 13-0 win against Bayfield. The Bayfield team had to forfeit after the first quarter because of injuries. Durango ran only one offensive play, and it was a 50-yard touchdown run by KJ Reynolds behind the blocking of Tyler Dugan, Tyler Hoerl and Jacob Maycock. Bayfield’s offense never crossed the line of scrimmage. Jude Alderton recovered a fumble and returned it for a Durango touchdown. The fourth-grade team will face the defending champion Farmington Herd at 11 a.m. Saturday in Durango at Miller Middle School.
Durango’s lone loss was at second-grade in a hard-fought game. Kirtland beat Durango 12-6. MJ Keo had the team’s lone touchdown. Wyler Stewart, Cole Perkins and Travis Hugentobler led the defensive effort. The team will face Aztec at 9 a.m. Saturday at Miller Middle School.
Durango’s sixth-grade team had a bye and will face Aztec at 1 p.m. Saturday at Miller Middle School.
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