Sanford's Clay Canty (7) shifts and attempts to shake Thunderbird Charlie Pascoe (24) during Friday's game in Sanford. Canty would pick up three rushing touchdowns in the Homecoming victory.

SANFORD, Colo. — It was a big night for the home team. Between defending their winning streak, homecoming, and chasing Sargent in the rankings- Sanford was taking no prisoners.

The green machine blanked the visiting Thunderbirds (0-0-3) by a score of 63-0 on homecoming night. Sanford (3-0-0) is off to a great start to the 2018 season. This season Sanford has been doing a good job of competing in big games and winning the games  they are supposed to.

Not only are they winning them though, they are winning big. In two weeks Sanford has outscored their opponents 129-0. It’s thanks in part to new head coach Joe Cary who has installed a fast paced offense. The no-huddle offense has Sanford striking early and often with the only delays coming from the refs and chain gang trying to get into position for the next play.

 Friday night was all Sanford. After a 3 and out from Sangre de Cristo on the opening drive, Sanford took the ball at the Thunderbird 40 yard line. Chase Holman would cap a 6-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown on a run option around the right side. The next Sanford drive went even faster when a Kelton Gartrell run went 13 yards into the end zone making the score 14-0 five minutes into the first quarter.  

The two teams would trade turnovers- an interception to Sanford, and a fumble back to the Thunderbirds. Sangre couldn’t do anything with the possession and Sanford went back to work. Clay Canty would pick up 43 yards on the drive taking a 12-yarder to paydirt.

An interception by Thad Jackson gave Sanford another possession. A little over a minute later it was Canty in the endzone again, this time from 15- yards out. The score giving  Sanford a 30 point advantage before the end of the first quarter.  Canty would lead Sanford in scoring on the night with three touchdowns rushing and a fourth passing.

Things would get worse for the Thunderbirds before they got better. Kelton Gartrell’s second rushing touchdown –from 57 yards out- would trigger a running clock with ten minutes left in the half. The two teams would go to the half with a score of 49-0.

Sanford’s first drive of the second half would stall out and for the first time in the game it looked as though they may have to punt. On a fourth and short, few were surprised to see Dalton Gartrell tuck it and run for the sticks. Fewer weren’t surprised watching him unleash a viscous stiff-arm and rumble 56 yards for the score. Before the carnage was over Sanford found the time to add another score to bring the final tally to 63-0.

Sangre de Cristo and Sanford will trade dance partners next week. Sangre will head home Saturday Sept. 22 for a game against No. 15 Dove Creek. Sanford will get another challenge Friday Sept. 21 when they travel east to meet No. 16 Norwood fresh off their 40-6 win over Dove Creek.