The Mancos football game against Rangely on Friday was a low-scoring affair.
But a win is a win, and the Blue Jays are happy with the 6-0 outcome.
After seeing Rangely's 8-6 win over Del Norte in Week 1, co-head coaches Josh Gardner and Bill Parsons thought the game might be a defensive battle.
The Blue Jays struck early, after a kick return by Adrian Hernandez to the 45-yard line, when junior Axel Bonde broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run.
It would be the game's lone score.
"Both teams were really having trouble scoring," said Gardner. "It was kind of a defensive standoff. We played for field position the entire game."
The Blue Jays were able to keep Rangely pinned deep in their own territory for much of the game, thanks to Drew Morgan's 41.3-yard punting average on six punts.
They were also able to force two turnovers, with Bowen Strazza-Whalen recovering a fumble and Kaleb Hargraves coming up with an interception.
Rangely did get within striking distance, but the Blue Jays defense was able to fend off the charge.
"They were within the 30 a couple of times," said Gardner. "But we were able to hold them off."
Gardner credited the Panthers defense for holding the Blue Jays to six points, but he also saw things his team will address with the extra week of practice during their bye week.
"We shot ourselves in the foot a lot with penalties," he said. "We had a couple key holding calls, we dropped the ball on the ground and had a fumble, so we're going to work hard to fine tune what we're doing."
Bonde led the team with 135 rushing yards on 18 carries, and Everett Strazza-Whalen and Morgan chipped in with 91 yards and 65 yards rushing.
The Blue Jays have this Friday off and will work to prepare for their next game at Del Norte on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.
"If we can control the turnovers and just grind it up the field I think we'll be alright," Gardner said.
