Broncos claim 39-6 win over Bucks

SPORTS SHORTS

by Scott Boyle

“Bigger, stronger, faster, and more of em.”  That was the sentiment of most Monticello fans concerning the San Juan football team last Friday night after the Broncos blasted the Buckaroos, 39-6. 

The Bucks didn’t help their cause when they coughed up the football on their first four offensive possessions.  It seems to be almost unavoidable for the Bucks when facing San Juan. They have turned the ball over five times a game in the past five years. 

For their part, the Broncos had a stellar offensive night, with 110 yards passing and 231 yards rushing.  Quarterback Kyle Johnson was an adept eight for 10 with two touchdowns passing, while spreading the ball to five different receivers.  

Jayson Palmer had a great night receiving, with three catches for 36 yards, as did Jimmy Tate, with two catches for 41 yards and Terron Jack, who caught two for 32 yards.  Tate and Nate Einerson each caught a Johnson TD pass. 

Jace Holiday led a bevy of nine running backs who ran the ball for the Broncos with 93 yards in just four carries, including a 51 yard jaunt for a Bronco second half score. 

Stetler Shumway and Kohler Black led the way defensively, with nine tackles each.  Shumway had three tackles for loss and a sack. Oliver Parker also had a big night with seven tackles, two for loss and 1.5 sacks. Additionally, Parker started the scoring for the Broncos early in the game when he ripped the ball from the hands of Monticello QB Daniel Torres and ran 18 yards for a TD. 

On the next play after the kickoff, Einerson intercepted a Torres pass, leading to a Kohler Black 10 yard TD run.  Only minutes into the game, the Broncos led 14-0 and the rout was on. 

Later, Cameron Shumway blocked a Buckaroo punt, but the Buckaroo defense rose up and stopped the Broncos short of a touchdown. 

The Bronco defense kept the Bucks off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter, when Torres connected on a nice 27 yard touchdown pass to Devin Wright. 

Actually, the Bucks did quite well in the passing department, after the turnover fest ended.  Torres was 23 for 31 and 114 yards, completing 74 percent of his passes.  Devin Wright and Chase Randall each caught seven passes and Connor Frost netted five. 

Randall and Wright led the defensive effort for the Bucks as well, with 11 and 8 tackles respectively.  Kendal Maughan chipped in with seven tackles himself.

Volleeeeballeee

The Lady Broncos, minus team leader Heather Meyer, still played iridescently in the annual Bronco Volleyball tournament held last weekend in Blanding. 

The Broncos came out on top, besting all comers to win their own tournament once again.  Says San Juan Coach Cassy Moon, “Our girls played very well.  We saw what we wanted from these girls.  We are not our best, but we are better than many expected. 

“We had a blast with 15 teams.  I would like to thank my girls’ parents and all of the hard work they put into helping us run these tournaments.  It really means a lot for me and the other coaches to not have to worry about the concession stands, fans, etc.  They are what make running these tournaments worth it.” 

Coach Tony Esplin’s Buckaroos played nicely as well, winning all their matches until the semifinal against Shiprock.  The Bucks pushed the Chieftains to five sets and led 14-11 in the decisive fifth set, but couldn’t finish it off, losing 17-15 in that last set. 

After the disheartening loss, the Bucks quickly lost the third/fourth place game as well.  Coach Esplin likes what he sees from this year’s Buckaroos.  They are trying to play a quicker game this year, with quick sets and the like, according to Esplin and so far, the girls are responding to the new level of play.  “We won 23 games and lost nine in the San Juan Tournament,” says Esplin.

Cross Country news

The Buckaroo cross country traveled to Monument Valley on September 3 and did very well.  A MHS runner was first in three out of four races.

Freshman Kelland Brewer won the varsity boys race, while sophomore Loren Randall won the varsity girls.  Nash Freestone came out on top in the Jr. High boys race.  

On September 6, Macee Nielson, Loren Randall, Adam Butler, Casey Randall and Trey Esplin competed in the very large and prestigious BYU Autumn Classic.  There were six races, all of them with almost 200 runners from all over the western U.S. 

Macee finished sixth overall in the varsity girls division, while Loren finished 12th in the freshman-sophomore race. 

Adam Butler finished 62nd in the varsity boys, while Casey and Trey were 123 and 132 respectively.  Coming up this week is the Aztec Invitational that has been moved to Friday afternoon.