Dove Creek lived to fight another day of eight-man football.
The Bulldogs hosted La Veta in a west cross divisional playoff game on a slightly breezy, yet, sunny fall Saturday afternoon.
La Veta scored on its opening drive to take a 6-0 lead. But it was all Dove Creek from there.
Behind 196 yards rushing from Chance Johnson, the Bulldogs sprinted past the Redskins, 49-6.
Our team came out and we did really good, the senior tailback said. We came out knowing that we were going to have to play hard, and thats what we did. We executed everything and finished the game.
Dove Creek (6-3) will now travel to Elbert (8-1) as the No. 11-seed in the Round of 16, 8-man playoffs. Elbert is seeded sixth in what will be a rematch from week one. Elbert won the early season battle of the Bulldogs, 28-14.
It means a lot, because this is the first year in a few years that weve been able to win our first playoff game, said Johnson, referring to his freshman year when Dove Creek beat La Veta, 65-34. We think we can go quite a ways in the playoffs.
It was Bulldogs 50th year coach (47 as head coach) Ken Sopers 305th career win. The hall of famer is now one win shy of tying the late Pat Panek (Denver East) for the most wins in Colorado high school football history.
I dont even think about it, honestly, Soper said about the most wins record. Yes, I want to win. I dont care if its my first win or 10th win. I just want to win. I came from a family in Oklahoma that believed in winning. We never give up, and thats what Im trying to instill in my players. A winning attitude and never give up.
The players are aware their coach is approaching the Colorado All-Time wins record, which makes them even more hungry and motivated to win.
Its good that were able to go out there and just do what we have to do to help him progress and get better, Johnson said about Soper. Hes like one win away from having the most wins. We need to at least win one more game for him.
Johnson scored the first two Dove Creek touchdowns to put his team in the lead for good. Bulldogs quarterback Dalton Randolph scored the 2-point conversion on the second score to give Dove Creek a 14-6 advantage.
La Veta (5-4) turned it over on its next drive when Redskins quarterback Adam Ortivez threw an interception to Bulldogs safety/wide receiver Dalton Davis.
The Bulldogs cashed in on a 57-yard drive. Johnson had 36 yards of the scoring drive on one carry. Randolph capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Klancey Krafka ran in the 2-pointer to increase Dove Creeks lead to 22-6.
The Bulldogs added an 80-yard touchdown and 2-point conversion drive before the half. Johnson scored from eight yards out and scored the 2-pointer untouched. The senior had another 36-yard scamper on the drive that was set up by Cole Baughmans 13-yard run on third down. Thats where the score stood at halftime.
They started stopping some of our power plays, so we tried countering them, Soper said. Thats when Cole came in and made some good runs. That kind of opened up the five or six others (big runs).
In the third quarter, Johnson and the Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas. Johnson took the opening second half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown, and the rout was officially on. Davis point after attempt was good and it was 37-6.
La Vetas first second half drive went four-and out. The two Daltons made the Redskins pay. From the La Veta 39, Randolph went to the air on the right side to Davis, the senior made the catch, cut left, gone. Davis PAT after his 39-yd touchdown reception sailed wide right, but Dove Creek led comfortably, 43-6.
Later in the third, Johnson had another big return on special teams, taking a punt 30 yards from the La Veta 48 to the 18. The return was received by Davis, then he handed the pigskin to Johnson, and he ran down a left sideline path that was cleared by a seismic shifting block by Tyler Ebberts.
Soper put in the youngsters and freshman tailback Chance Randolph capped the 18-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. With the score now 49-6, the clock ran continuously by rule for the rest of the game. No one scored again, making the Redskins long drive back to the San Luis Valley slightly more bearable.
I thought they played pretty good, especially the last three quarters, Soper said. They was hitting. I was proud of the kids the way they stepped it up. They didnt hang their head after they got behind. I was proud of them.
Johnson totaled four touchdowns and 113 return yards on special teams. He had 309 total yards of offense to go with eight tackles and a fumble recovery on defense. Dalton Randolph passed 3-of-4 for 71 yards and a touchdown, and had a game high 13 tackles. Baughman had 49 yards rushing and recorded 12 stops on the defensive side.
Dove Creek will play at Elbert Saturday with a time to be determined. Check www.chsaa.org for schedule updates.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.