There may not be a scarier thought in medieval history than a dragon attacking through the air. Holyoke took that thought to heart as it relied on the passing game in the early stages of its 34-14 win over Wiggins on Friday night.

Bryson Dirks and Trey Oakley each caught touchdown passes in the first half and then Cash Webber got the ground game going with a 43-yard score in the second half.

The Dragons were able to keep the Tigers at arm’s length for the remainder of the game and improve to 6-0 on the season.

Unfortunately for the Dragons things don’t get any easier next week as they take on defending state champion Limon. The Badgers face Wray on Saturday and if the win that game, the showdown with Holyoke next week is likely for the league championship.

In 2022, Limon rolled to a 60-27 win over Holyoke, but all indications say the game will be much closer this time around.

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Rifle pushes around Basalt

Rifle had plenty of time to think while hibernating since last season. The Bears were not happy of their 22-7 loss to Basalt back on Oct. 7 of last year.

It’s fitting that 364 days later, the tables got turned and turned in a massive way. The Bears rolled to a 55-20 win over the Class 2A No. 2 Longhorns, putting them firmly in position to win the Western Slope title.

This is Rifle’s first win over Basalt since the 2019 season.

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Roosevelt loses for first time in 23 months

Hunter Hansen scored three rushing touchdowns to lead Resurrection Christian to a win that no other team has gotten in nearly two full years.

It was a loss to Mead in the 2021 3A playoffs that had been the last time that Roosevelt hadn’t been on the winning end of that game. That streak came to an end as the Cougars got a massive 40-20 win over the defending 3A champion.

“They’re a tough bunch,” coach Bob Mauck said on the Scoreboard Show. “We had a great week pf preparation. The game plan was to do our best to keep the ball out of his quarterback and running back’s hand. They have some weapons there and our kids were up to the task.”

Rez found the end zone three times before the Roughriders put any points on the board. But at that point, a 20-point lead for Rez might as well have been a 75-point lead with the way the defense was clamping down.

The Cougars will try to follow up that big win with a road win at Severance next week.

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Canvas houses rivalry doubleheader

It’s still two months before Fort Collins’ Canvas Stadium hosts the 5A and 4A state championship games, but the stadium welcomed in four Fort Collins teams for a rivalry doubleheader.

In the early game, Fort Collins stunned Fossil Ridge 34-31, winning on a last-second field goal by Joel Lopez.

In the nightcap, Rocky Mountain beat Poudre 26-0.

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Holy Family comes away standing after slugfest

A Ryland Cooney touchdown with under two minutes to go was the difference as Holy Family beat Lutheran 35-28.

The Tigers built a two-score lead going into halftime, but the Lions battled through the second half and tied the game with about 3:30 to go. The final Holy Family drive ended with a Cooney score to put the Tigers ahead for good.

“I think we threw just one pass on that drive,” coach Mike Gabriel said on the Scoreboard Show. “We just ran the ball down the field and punch it in. It was all with our running game.”

The Tigers take on Northfield next week before closing out their league schedule with Fort Morgan, Lincoln and Kennedy.

**

Top teams win with ease

Five of the seven No. 1-ranked teams were in action Friday night and all five scored decisive victories to remain undefeated.

Cherry Creek pounced on Smoky Hill to roll to a 47-0 win. Palmer Ridge handed Pueblo West its second straight loss, downing the Cyclones 42-7. Green Mountain scored a 35-0 shutout victory over Evergreen. Delta got a big 48-0 homecoming win over Salida. Haxtun continues to look like the class of 8-man after a 68-0 win over Caliche.

Notable scores:

Class 5A:

  • (2) Pine Creek 21, (7) Regis Jesuit 17
  • (8) Mountain Vista 37, Rock Canyon 14
  • (9) Chatfield 25, Pomona 0

Class 4A:

  • (3) Montrose 56, Falcon 23
  • (4) Broomfield 48, Aurora Central 7
  • (5) Thomas Jefferson 22, Far Northeast 21
  • (7) Mesa Ridge 69, Coronado 6
  • (10) Fruita Monument 41, Grand Junction 6

Class 3A:

  • (5) Durango 26, Summit 21
  • (9) Lewis-Palmer 55, Harrison 12

Class 2A:

  • (3) The Classical Academy 48, Denver West 7
  • (8) Kent Denver 17, (4) Elizabeth 7
  • (5) Berthoud 49, Forge Christian 0
  • (7) La Junta 52, Woodland Park 0
  • (10) Eaton 43, Fort Lupton 16

Class 1A:

  • (7) Strasburg 64, Denver Christian 7
  • (9) Gunnison 38, Cedaredge 14
  • (10) CSCS 42, Rye 34

8-man:

  • (4) Mancos 58, (6) Dove Creek 14
  • (5) West Grand 36, Rangely 6
  • (7) Byers 62, Gilpin County 0
  • Sanford 52, (8) Norwood 14

6-man:

  • (3) Granada 38, Eads 35
  • Cheyenne Wells 40, (4) Walsh 32
  • Briggsdale 48, (7) Peetz 47
  • La Veta 36, (10) Sierra Grande 31