photo by Forrest Claunch

Trojans battle Bobcats for first round win



By A.C. CHRISTOPFEL

ANTONITO — Fired up and out for blood, the Antonito home crowd smelt victory on windy coattails as time ran out for the Granada Bobcats, ending their season at .500 (5-5).

The Trojans' high octane offense put up a total of 493 yards and sojourned in the end zone 8 times on their 54-12 Bobcat stomp, extending their record to a perfect 10-0.

In a grueling first quarter for the undefeated Antonito Trojans, however, the offense could do nothing but watch as the Bobcats pounded their way down the field on a 13-play drive. Bobcat powerhouse running back Chris DeLeon pounded the ball down the middle eating 5:38 off the clock. That’s when Trojan defender Edgar Morales stepped in and stripped the ball from DeLeon’s hands giving Antonito possession at their own 23.

DeLeon wasn’t finished though three plays later dropped into coverage and picked off a pass from Jose Uriarte to Jose Taylor, finally being tackled at the 18. Four plays later the Bobcats drew first blood, taking a 6 point lead.

“(DeLeon) was a strong runner,” Trojan big man defender Dylan Sisneros said about the Jerome Bettis-esque back. “I had to get through the double and triple teams, too.”

The home crowd wouldn’t be quiet for long as the Trojans came back with a 12-play, 80-yard touchdown drive of their own. With the ball on Granada’s 20-yardline, Trojan quarterback Uriarte dropped back to pass and as the pocket broke down, holes opened up and Uriarte found a 20-yard path to the end zone, tying the game at 6-6.

On the next defensive stand, Uriarte came down with a huge interception, returning the catch to Granada’s 14-yardline. The tides began to shift and Trojan running back Bryan Ruybal rode the wave all the way to the endzone on a single play for 14 yards.

“We knew they were going to be tough,” Ruybal spoke of the Granada Bobcats.

“Physically, they were the best competition we’ve faced so far. They weren’t going to give it to us, so we had to execute.”

Execute they did, literally and metaphorically.

Granada wouldn’t find a place to stand for the next three quarters, harassed by Trojan defenders Scott Duarte, Morales, Uriarte, Gabriel Martinez, Dylan Sisneros and Josh Salazar, who racking up a total of 7 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles, and 5 tackles for losses, relinquishing only 159 yards on the ground and 92 yards in the air.

“They knocked our teeth out in the first quarter,” Head Coach Aaron Abeyta said with a shake of his head after the game, “but our kids responded well. We’re not looking too far ahead, but we’re going to face a solid running team.”

The Trojans face Elbert HS, after they defeated Sanford 50-6, next week in Antonito for the second round of the Colorado State 8-Man Tournament.





Game Stats



Antonito Trojans, 54, 493 total yards, 8 TD’s



Bryan Ruybal, 211 yards rushing, 18 carries, 84 yards receiving, 3 catches, 6 TD’s

Jose Uriarte,49 yrds rushing, 3 carries, 166 yrds passing, 11comp/19att, 2 TD’s passing, 1 TD rushing

Jon Duran, 64 yrds rushing, 5 carries, 1 TD

Jose Taylor, 57 yrds receiving, 6 catches

Stefan Armenta, 25 yrds receiving, 2 catches

Brandon Sisneros, 3 yrds rushing, 4 carries



Granada Bobcats, 12, 251 total yards, 2 TD’s



Chris DeLeon, 113 yrds rushing, 22 carries, 1 TD, 13 yrds passing, 2comp/16att., 1 Int.

Caleb Harris, 18 yrds rushing, 5 carries, 23 yrds receiving, 1 catch

Traegon Marquez, 25 yrds rushing, 5 carries, 79 yrds passing, 3comp/14att, 2 Int., 1 TD

Michael Ortiz, 45yrds receiving, 2 catches

Brynden Burns, 3 yrds rushing, 1 rush, 13 yrds receiving, 1 catch