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Craig teams triumph over Hayden in Doak Walker football finals

MCHS setting gives players additional excitement

Andy Bockelman
The players and coaches of the Boy-Ko Supply Broncos celebrate their 22-0 championship win against the Hayden Tigers Wednesday night at the Moffat County High School Bulldog Proving Grounds. The Broncos were the top team of the third- and fourth-grade division of Craig Parks & Recreation's Doak Walker tackle football program.
Andy Bockelman

2015 Doak Walker final season rankings

Fifth- and sixth-grade

  1. Craig Police Department Packers
  2. Hayden Tigers
  3. Craig Daily Press Broncos
  4. Wagner Construction — Wagner Rock 49ers
  5. Masterworks Mechanical Cardinals
  6. Duran & Pearce Contractors Vikings
  7. Intermountain Appliance Chargers

Third- and fourth- grade

  1. Boy-Ko Supply Broncos
  2. Hayden Tigers
  3. Carrie Hertzog Photography
  4. Cook Chevrolet Chargers
  5. Clarion Inn & Suites Jets

Only time will tell if Peyton ManningPeyton Manning or or Aaron RodgersAaron Rodgers will lead their teams to the will lead their teams to the 50th Super Bowl at the end of this NFL season50th Super Bowl at the end of this NFL season. Their smaller likenesses, though, have already played in their own version of the big game and are pretty happy with the results.. Their smaller likenesses, though, have already played in their own version of the big game and are pretty happy with the results.

Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers will lead their teams to the 50th Super Bowl at the end of this NFL season. Their smaller likenesses, though, have already played in their own version of the big game and are pretty happy with the results.

2015 Doak Walker final season rankings

Fifth- and sixth-grade

  1. Craig Police Department Packers
  2. Hayden Tigers
  3. Craig Daily Press Broncos
  4. Wagner Construction — Wagner Rock 49ers
  5. Masterworks Mechanical Cardinals
  6. Duran & Pearce Contractors Vikings
  7. Intermountain Appliance Chargers

Third- and fourth- grade



  1. Boy-Ko Supply Broncos
  2. Hayden Tigers
  3. Carrie Hertzog Photography
  4. Cook Chevrolet Chargers
  5. Clarion Inn & Suites Jets

Craig Parks & Recreation’s Doak Walker tackle football programCraig Parks & Recreation’s Doak Walker tackle football program finished its fall season this week, as the top teams of both third- and fourth-grade and the fifth- and sixth-grade divisions were crowned. finished its fall season this week, as the top teams of both third- and fourth-grade and the fifth- and sixth-grade divisions were crowned.

Craig Parks & Recreation’s Doak Walker tackle football program finished its fall season this week, as the top teams of both third- and fourth-grade and the fifth- and sixth-grade divisions were crowned.

Pack attack

Taking the honor for the older set were the Craig Police Department Packers, who completed their season with a spotless 7-0 record after a 24-6 victory over the Hayden Tigers, the defending champs of the age bracketthe defending champs of the age bracket..

the defending champs of the age bracket.



Third time was the charm for Packers coach Justin Duzik after taking a squad to the championship game the past two years and being defeated. And, the feeling of triumph was great, between seeing a cluster of green and yellow balloons released at the finale and his players drenching him with the water cooler.

“We’re feeling super, those kids worked hard all year long,” he said.

After downing the Tigers, 41-0, in the final week of the regular season, the Packers were expecting some pushback in the grudge match.

“They did some stuff we hadn’t seen before and we adjusted.” Duzik said. “Hayden has a good club, they know what they’re doing there.”

Orange you glad you won?

While the Packers were the favorites going into their game, the winners of the third- and fourth-grade round Wednesday night were the underdogs, or rather, underhorses.

The 6-1 Boy-Ko Supply Broncos went toe to toe with Hayden, as well, also finding taking the title despite the Tigers having already beaten them, 39-33, in the only game of the year with a combined score of more than 70 points.

The tally wasn’t nearly as high this time — the Broncos won it, 22-0, and coach Mark Carlson strongly preferred a shutout, which showed his players’ defensive capabilities.

“We shut them down, and holding them to nothing is pretty awesome,” he said.

Mark’s son, Bryant, repeatedly crossed the goal line during the night, including a dash of more than half the field with three seconds on the clock for one final score.

“I loved breaking out of tackles and playing my hardest,” Bryant said. “I’m really glad about the people setting this up for us and getting to come to the Super Bowl and winning it.”

Ready for the big time

To add to the thrill of the finals, Craig Parks & Rec hosted the championships at the Moffat County High School Bulldog Proving Grounds, which Recreation Supervisor Ryan Dennison hopes to make an annual tradition.

“It was awesome, the kids seem to love it, and I’m excited to build on it,” he said. “It’s really cool for them to be able to see the pinnacle and to progress.”

The bright lights, the blue and white paint on the gridiron and the voice of Kip Hafey announcing highlights on the loudspeakers provided a peek into what young athletes can look forward to in the next five to 10 years if they keep up with the sport.

“Kids just eat this stuff up,” Justin Duzik said. “This is the way to get future football players, right here.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.


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