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MCHS football team runs through final preseason scrimmage

John Vandelinder
Moffat County High School sophomore Jason Kettle breaks through Hayden's defensive line Friday during the Bulldogs four-team scrimmage. Kettle scored four touchdowns and led the team in rushing.
Hans Hallgren

Taking a look at the Moffat County offense from afar, you wouldn’t think they were a big-play team.

Nobody more than 200-pounds on the line, one returning starter and the offense is all bunched up in coach Kip Hafey’s wing-t set.

But, don’t judge a book by its cover.



The Bulldogs football team looked anything but what you’d expect Friday during its home scrimmage against visiting Meeker, Hayden and Coal Ridge.

Junior tailback Jasen Kettle backed up the familiar “speed kills” slogan, scoring on runs of eight, 29, 29 and 30 yards, constantly leaving diving defenders in his wake.



Junior Pablo Salcido joined Kettle in the end zone via the big play, scoring on a spin move and a subsequent 31-yard jaunt.

“It’s good to get out there and play a live scrimmage,” Hafey said. “We got better today, and that’s what we were shooting for. We still have a lot of holes in our game that we need to improve on, but that was expected.”

The biggest holes seen on the field Friday were formed by the MCHS offensive line.

Kettle finished with 121 yards on 13 carries, Salcido gained 107 on 10 attempts and senior Lyle Schaffner pounded the oblong piece of brown leather for 67 yards on 15 carries.

“The offense clicked well,” Hafey said. “They did a good job. We scored against every team.’

The four teams each had 10 plays to score from the 40-yard line.

The MCHS varsity team lined up on the north side of the Bulldogs Proving Grounds, while the freshman team scrimmaged on the south side.

And, the big plays by the Bulldogs carried over to that side of the field, as well.

While Kettle was finishing off his 31-yard score, freshman quarterback Braeden Sullivan was sweeping around the Meeker defense for a 28-yard touchdown.

There’s that speed thing again.

The Bulldogs were the lone team to play all four scrimmages, with only a 3-minute break in between.

By the time the team faced Hayden in the final go-around, fatigue was setting in.

Hayden pounded the ball against the Moffat County defense, scoring twice – the last touchdown coming on a pass with no time on the clock.

“Hayden, is a big physical team,” Lance Scranton, MCHS defensive coordinator, said. “We just weren’t ready for that. That’s what we need to work on.”

Scranton pointed to the lack of mistakes by his unit, and said he was pleased with their play.

And why not.

Tallying up the score from all four scrimmages, Moffat County outscored the opposition six touchdowns to four.

Still, both coaches said there is much room for improvement.

“That’s early season excitement,” Scranton said, when asked about his linebackers’ tendency to over-pursue against Hayden. “They want to make the big hit. That comes with learning.”

Middle linebacker Halen Raymond, who had several big hits of his own, was just happy to get on the field and hit somebody who isn’t on his own team.

“It feels pretty good,” Raymond said. “We got the chance to see somebody different and lay some hits on another team.”

The hits continue Friday, when the Bulldogs open the season on the road at defending 3A state champion Berthoud.

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com


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