Haxtun football readying for onslaught of ranked opponents
By Jon E. Yunt
Photo: Gabe Christus/Denver Broncos
Ask any small-school football coach in the state of Colorado, what is the best or most dominant league in the state and they will tell you without a second thought that it is the 8-man Plains League.
In fact, you could have probably asked that question 25 years ago and heard the same answer.
Plains League teams have won 20 state titles since 1998 and nine times during that span, it has been an all-Plains League final. Each of the six original teams has had their fun hoisting the trophy too, with the latest being head coach JD Stone and his Haxtun Fightin’ Bulldogs, who blanked Mancos 40-0 in last year’s state title game to claim the school’s first since 2004.
The improbable run to Pueblo last year came on the heels of three straight mediocre/losing seasons and a playoff draught that dated back to 2017.
But these Dawgs aren’t a one-hit wonder and when asked at the recent Broncos/CHSAA Fall Sports High School Media Day at Empower Field at Mile High how quickly do you put last year’s success behind you, one very wise senior grabbed the microphone and chimed in with a quick answer.
“Right now,” he said.
As well they should.
Haxtun’s schedule is a who’s who of ranked teams, that includes 1A’s Holyoke to open the season and 6-man juggernaut Fleming in Week 4. All in all, eight of the nine games on their schedule are ranked teams, with a neutral site title game rematch against No. 2 Mancos in Week 3.
“Our stuff translates really well,” said Stone, about his concepts and having to play a 1A/11-man opponent right out of the gate on Friday. “We do a lot of RPO (run-pass option) stuff and it carries over really easily and it is easier to go up than back for us.”
The Bulldogs bring back one of their most dynamic offensive threats from a season ago in senior running back/linebacker Michael Gerk. On his way to 1st team all-state honors, Gerk rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. He also led the team with 19 receptions and racked up 70 tackles on defense.
A couple of names to keep an eye on for the Bulldogs defensively are junior Kailin Kelly and sophomore Grant Statz, who each registered over 100 tackles last season. Both had opportunities to run the ball last season and could also be focal points with Gerk.
