Craig Daily Press

Photo by Hans Hallgren

Jordan Wilson puts a hit on Nathan Tomlin on Friday during the Bulldogs’ first scrimmage of the season.

Craig — The offense is new, the uniforms are new and the football field at Moffat County High School even has new paint.

But the goal for the Bulldog boys of the gridiron remains the same: win.

MCHS kicked off its 2008 high school football campaign Friday night in the annual “Blue and White” game at the Bulldog Proving Grounds.

The offense wore white, the defense blue, both with a little black mixed in for good measure, but it was the brown pigskin that dominated the evening.

“It feels good to finally get out there and crack some heads,” junior middle linebacker Halen Raymond said. “I’m optimistic,” for the upcoming season.

Football — at all levels — usually sees the defense ahead of the offense this early into the season, but the Bulldogs donning the white Friday night didn’t seem to get the memo.

With a running clock, junior quarterback Matt Linsacum, senior tailback Lyle Schaffner and sophomore split back Jason Kettle led the offense down the field on its first possession of the evening, keeping the defense on its heels.

The trio executed head coach Kip Hafey’s new misdirection offense to perfection, confusing the boys in blue while eating up yards on its way to a touchdown.

Schaffner bullied his way up the middle for 27 yards on three carries, Linsacum connected on a bootleg pass to junior Pablo Salcido for 17 yards and Kettle ripped off runs of 23 and 24 yards, the latter for a touchdown.

“The O-line blocked really good,” Schaffner said. “I didn’t even have to really run. All I had to do was hit the holes that were there for me.”

But that would be it for the first team offensive scoring, as defensive coordinator Lance Scranton’s unit stiffened from there.

Raymond made back-to-back tackles for a loss, and the defense forced two fumbles.

“Raymond was huge up the middle for us tonight,” Hafey said. “He was great on our blitz packages. He’s a big strong kid that plays with emotion.”

Scranton said the defense adapted well, but they still had a lot of work to do before the season opener Aug. 29 at defending 3A state champion Berthoud.

“We have to key in better,” he said. “We need to work on getting better flow to the ball.”

The starting units rotated quarters with the underclassman, and the sophomores and freshman showed they weren’t to be underestimated.

Junior Nathan Tomlin, playing second-team running back, first-team wide receiver and starting corner, reeled off 87 yards in his seven carries.

“We are still getting there,” Tomlin said. “We are working on our timing, but we’ll get there.”

Freshman Braeden Sullivan was impressive in his first taste of football at the high school level.

Sullivan completed three of his four passes for 63 yards, connecting with fellow freshman Mason Updike for a 14-yard touchdown.

Sullivan also scrambled for a 26-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, single handedly accounting for two of the three offensive scores put on the board.

The MCHS cheerleaders practiced their routines on the sidelines, the soccer team — led by new coach Rusty Cox — was introduced to the enthusiastic crowd, and even new Athletic Director Rick Penner got acquainted to the vibes felt under the Friday night lights.

“This was big to get everyone excited about Moffat County football,” Hafey said. “We wanted to go out and have fun and let the fans see what we are all about this season. And, hopefully, we got a little bit better while we were out there.”

The Bulldogs host Coal Ridge, Hayden and Meeker at 5 p.m. Friday in the team’s final scrimmage before the season opener at Berthoud.