Express, Demons unbeaten in MFL action

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Red Bandits quarterback Spencer Watson (right) looks downfield as White Express defender Ian Shepherd closes in during McCook Football League action July 27, at Weiland Field. Watson completed a pass to teammate Austin Probasco on this play, but the White Express blanked the Bandits, 21-0.

The white jerseys are ruling the MFL after two rounds of games.

The White Express and White Demons remained unbeaten after victories in the Tuesday, July 27, McCook Football League action at Weiland Field.

The Express are 2-0 in grades 5-6 division play after a 21-0 shutout win over the Red Bandits Tuesday. The Demons rule the grades 7-8 division with a 2-0 record after Tuesday night's 33-19 victory over the Black Outlaws.

Yellow Blaze running back Zach Schlager carries the football for a big gain against the Black Gamblers in the grades 5-6 McCook Football League contest July 27 at Weiland Field. Schlager's late fourth-quarter run helped set up the winning touchdown for the Blaze in a 13-6 decision over the Gamblers.

League champions will be crowned in the local summer youth football league after Thursday night's final round of games at Weiland Field.

In the grades 5-6 division, the White Express were in control all the way against the Red Bandits Tuesday evening.

The Express scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters. Running back Jaret Matson opened the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Ben Bradley's successful point-after touchdown run. Jake Melton ran 21 yards for another Express touchdown in the second quarter, and Melton added the PAT run to give the winners a 14-0 halftime lead.

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Yellow Rage defender John Rippen (30, left) stretches the jersey of Red Blitz quarterback Dalton Koetter (right) to record a sack in MFL grades 7-8 action July 27. Rippen's fourth-quarter tackle forced a Red Blitz punt and helped the Rage win a 21-14 decision.

Landon Lenz added a 3-yard TD run in the third quarter, and Matson ran for the extra point for the final points of the game.

Blaze take control

The Yellow Blaze moved into a tie for second with the Black Gamblers in the grades 5-6 standings while handing the Gamblers their first loss with a 13-6 decision Tuesday.

The Gamblers drew first blood in the opening quarter on a 5-yard touchdown run by Spencer Krysl. The conversion run was stopped short, and the Gamblers led 6-0. The Blaze answered in the second quarter with a drive culminating in Clayton Weaver's 1-yard TD plunge and Isaac Larson's conversion run to give the yellow-clad Blaze a 7-6 lead.

The scored remained 7-6 through the third quarter before the Blaze capitalized on a Gamblers turnover. The Blaze recovered a fumble on the Gamblers 28-yard line midway through the final period. Facing a fourth down and three yards to go, the Blaze called on Isaac Larson, and he delivered with a tough run for a first down to the Gamblers 13.

Another strong run by Zach Schlager pushed the ball inside the 10-yard line. Clayton Weaver covered the final 7 yards for a clinching touchdown.

Plenty of offense

The wildest game of the night came in the first game in the grades 7-8 division. Both teams ran the ball up and down the field, but the White Demons were two touchdowns better than the Black Outlaws in a 33-19 win.

Colton Lashley opened scoring for the Demons with a 37-yard touchdown run, followed by the PAT run by Colton Sis. The Outlaws answered later in the opening quarter when Trevor Matson ran 4 yards for the touchdown, and the conversion run came up short, as the Demons led 7-6.

The winners added a 26-yard scoring pass from Sis to Jared Bryant in the second quarter to take a 13-6 halftime edge. The score was set up by a pass interception by Lance Garcia.

Both teams scored again in the third quarter. The Demons drove for a touchdown, with Lashley covering the final three yards, followed by the PAT run by Sis, to take a 20-6 lead.

The Outlaws came right back with Keaton Garcia's 63-yard pass reception from Trevor Matson. Lance Garcia saved a touchdown when he tackled his brother just short of the goal line. Logan Bunger covered the final yard to pull the Outlaws with 20-12 late in the third period.

The Demons took control with a pair of touchdowns in the final quarter, including Lashley's 4-yard run and a 22-yard TD run by Caleb Sheets. Bunger added a 3-yard TD run late in the game for the Outlaws.

Rage runs wild

The Yellow Rage did all their damage in the opening half to beat the Red Blitz in Tuesday night's final contest. Bret Baumbaugh was the sparkplug, as he had two long touchdown runs for the Rage in their first two possessions of the first quarter. Baumbaugh ran 65 yards for a touchdown, and later sprinted 67 yards for a score to help stake the Rage to a 14-0 lead.

The Blitz wouldn't go easily, as quarterback Dalton Koetter hooked up with Bryce Lyons on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to pull the Blitz within 14-7.

Kyle Rotherham took his turn in the Rage backfield, and he duplicated teammate Baumbaugh's skills with his 60-yard touchdown sprint just before halftime to help the Rage take a 21-7 lead.

The Blitz still wouldn't fold, as they battled back with a drive ending with Koetter's 4-yard TD run in midway through the third quarter to cut the Rage lead to 21-14. Neither team could find the end zone the rest of the way as the Rage held on for their first win of the three-game season, while the Blitz fell to 0-2.

Thursday night final

The 2010 McCook Football League season will conclude, and league champs crowned, with four games Thursday, July 29, at Weiland Field.

In grades 5-6 action, the 2-0 Express face the 1-1 Gamblers at 6 p.m., followed by the 1-1 Blaze vs. the 0-2 Bandits at 7 p.m.

In grades 7-8 action, the unbeated Demons meet the 0-2 Blitz at 8 p.m., with the Rage and Outlaws, both 1-1, squaring off at 9 p.m.