This year marked the first season of youth football in Mancos.
Not only was youth football born in Mancos, a San Juan League championship was won in the inaugural season.
A combined effort of third, fourth- and-fifth-graders started out on the first day trying to put on a helmet. Six weeks later, a championship was earned.
The team motto this season was Brotherhood. The goal was to start a tradition, and the boys did just that in dominant fashion.
Last weekend in Dove Creek, the San Juan League championship was held, consisting of Dove Creek, Norwood, Nucla, Towaoc and Mancos.
Coming into the weekend, Mancos had the best record of 4-1 and earned the top seed. In the first game, a strong Towaoc team overpowered Dove Creek en route to a 22-0 win, earning them the right to play Mancos in the semifinals.
In the other first round game, Nucla won easily against Norwood, 28-12, earning it a birth in the championship.
The semifinal game between Mancos and Towaoc was a slugfest ending in a 12-6 Mancos win. The smaller Mancos squad stuffed Towaoc on fourth-and goal from the 2-yard line with time expiring.
After the emotional contest, Mancos had 30 minutes to rebound and play a strong Nucla squad. Mancos scored quickly on the first drive and never looked back, running away with a 26-0 victory.
The game was highlighted with Anthony Medina running away with a 99-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter to put things away. Medina tallied more than 200 yards in the championship game. The team effort for the Bluejays was amazing with every player chipping in and doing their part to earn the league title.
We couldnt be happier with the boys. They bought into the system and put their teammates in front of themselves everyday, Mancos coach Alan Mathews said. Prior to the season, only three of the players had put on a helmet, and just weeks later, they earned the league title. We are very proud of the boys and their efforts. We would like to thank all that helped get this program off the ground. There were hours of voluntary work, generous donations, and an overall community effort for our youth.
Players on this years squad were Breccen Morelli, Nick Baikie, Eric Wyman, Ty Everett, Medina, Cade Price, Sage Franks, Colt Fury, Justin Pacino, Brandon Sehnert, Jason Kane, Kade Glover, Scottie Sword, Jordan Lake, Lake Voiles, Riston Bowen, Caden Galloway, David Messier, Levi Miera, Logan Richards, Sonny Webb and Brandon Wood.
The squad was coached by Mike Glover, Mike Morelli, Chris Medina, Doug Wyman and Mathews.