Mancos is facing just its second in-state opponent in Week 4 and it’s another opponent that is highly ranked in the CHSAANow.com football polls.
In fact, it’s the highest ranked team in the 8-Man football poll.
The Bluejays are taking on defending state champion Haxtun in a game that fans could see late in the 2022 playoffs.
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(2) Mancos at (1) Haxtun (Saturday)
The top two teams in 8-man are sure to put on a show on Saturday. The Bluejays are coming off an impressive win over then No. 6 Merino. Ayden Mathews threw for 132 yards and two touchdowns on just five completions. Vail Wayman and Levi Martin each rushed for over 100 yards and Wayman found the end zone three times.
Haxtun opened the season with an 11-man win over Holyoke and its first 8-man game of the year, upended Holly 54-8. Ryland Wolff ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns while Michael Gerk added 122 yards and a score. This is easily one of the most exciting games of the entire weekend.
Holly at (3) Akron
The Rams have won their three games by a combined score of 140-34 and will try to keep the offense chugging along in Week 4. Sophomore Anderson Filla is averaging over 140 rushing yards per game and has scored four touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan McCaffrey has thrown for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.
Holly is coming off a loss to Haxtun and would love to get a season-defining win again Akron.
(4) Dove Creek at Hayden
The Bulldogs have strung together three big wins in a row and are looking to make it four this week. Kade Hankins has powered the offense by rushing for 153 yards per game and scoring seven touchdowns. Kendall Gardner and Quaden Huffaker have been nightmares for opposing quarterbacks as they have combined for 11 sacks in three games.
Sedgwick County at (5) Simla
Caston Cox threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 107 yards as the Cubs got a 29-8 win over Sanford last week. They’ll look to stay undefeated as they host Sedgwick County.
(6) Crowley County at Las Animas
The Chargers have come away with three comfortable wins this season and they’ll go for their fourth against a winless Las Animas team. Skeeter Baker is rushing for 125 yards per game and has a team-high five rushing touchdowns.
Fowler at (7) Sanford
After dropping its first game of the season last week, Sanford will try to rebound against a Fowler team that has struggled to find its footing this season.
(8) West Grand at Elbert
West Grand has looked better and better each week and is looking for its first 4-0 start since 2018. Wyatt Howell has emerged as one of the best running backs in the state as he has 561 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He also has an interception on the defensive side of the ball.
(10) Lyons at (9) Merino
Coming off a loss to Mancos last week, the Rams likely need a win here to remain in the top 10 next week. They’ll have to slow down a Lyons team that is averaging 40 points per game in 2022.
The Lions have four players with over 100 rushing yards each this season. Sophomore Malik Sigg-Brown leads the crop with 193 yards. He and Finn Oetting each have three rushing touchdowns.
