SANFORD — The season closer was all Sanford on Friday, in a 51-0 shutout.

Sanford (9-0) has completed the final step of differentiating themselves from last year’s team. A season ago, despite finishing the year with a respectable 6-3 record Sanford would miss the postseason. Those three losses happening in-league against Mancos, Dove Creek and Sargent by a combined score of 147-77.

This season, Sanford cleared their first hurdle in Mancos Oct. 11th, their second came two weeks later against Dove Creek. The final week of the season against Sargent checked the final box and Sanford had avenged all three losses by a combined score of 167-36.

Sargent (6-3) did well to recover from a slow start this season, rolling from a 1-2 record to snowball five straight wins entering their game with Sanford.

Friday’s game did not stay competitive for long a 30-0 lead early in the second quarter grew to a running clock at 42-0 before the half before settling at the 51-0 shut out.

There is still life after death for the Farmers. Before the loss went in, Sargent held the No. 10 spot in the state. Conceivably they have room to give without losing a spot in the postseason bracket.

Friday’s win was a little bittersweet for Sanford. Starters stayed on the field late into the game despite the win all but earned and a running clock winding down. On a run to the right Sanford senior Clay Canty suffered a leg injury. After the game, he was able to put weight on it but had a slight limp. Canty represents a key offensive and defensive piece to Sanford and will figure to be back in action for the first round of the postseason.

Both squads will await seeding and final placing on Sunday to see what their schedules for next week will look like.

Elsewhere in 8 Man fellow Southern Peaks teams Mancos and Dove Creek faced off with the Blue Jays taking the contest 14-6, the competitive Southern Peaks League will look to send anywhere from 2 to 4 teams to the postseason.

(This article has been edited to reflect Sanford's correct record)