The Mancos Blue Jays lost five key contributors from last year’s playoff team to graduation.
But, with questions at the quarterback position entering the 2016 season, senior Riley Burton and freshman Breccen Morelli provided answers under center to help lead the Jays to a 5-4 regular season record and a second consecutive postseason appearance.
After receiving the No. 13 seed in the 8-Man Football State Playoffs, Mancos traveled to No. 4 Hoehne on Saturday for their opening round contest.
The Blue Jays hung tough early and trailed just 8-0 after one quarter. However, they were unable to shut down Hoehne quarterback Jacob Yates, and the Farmers built a 44-0 lead at the break and went on to win 56-0 to end Mancos’ season.
“Their quarterback is very good,” said Mancos co-head coach Adam Priestley. “First quarter we were only down 8-0, but the second quarter we just couldn’t contain him. He’s an excellent player.”
Priestley said the Jays’ offensive game plan was to spread the field and throw the ball, but the Farmers were able to bring pressure and throw them off to record a shut out.
After finishing the season 5-5, Mancos will lose seven seniors from this year’s squad to graduation, including most of its offensive and defensive line.
“I’ve watched them grow up to be young men,” Priestley said of his seniors. “And they’re hard workers and dedicated and I wish them luck in the future. They’ve meant a lot to the program.”
While he said it will be difficult to replace the graduating class, Priestley expects to have another strong freshman class coming up.
“Our middle school has been very good for the last two years,” he said. “And we’re really excited to see that talent come up. I think we’ll be a different ball team than we have been in the past because of that type of talent. So, overall I think we’re really excited to see what will happen in the next year or so.”
