2004 State Football Champs honored during Homecoming/Corn Fest weekend

THE HAXTUN BULLDOGS honored the 2004 State Champion football team on Friday night with special ceremonies at half time of the Bulldog's match up with Front Range Christian. The Championship team was invited to pre-game rituals and were a part of the coin toss as honorary captains to commemorate the championship team's 20-year reunion. Below, current Bulldogs and coaches are pictured with team members and coaches from 2004 along with the 8-man State Championship trophy.

Above, 2004 team members are pictured (l-r), Jordan Hagemeyer, Gus Harms, Jesson Salyards, Garrett Krogmeier, Coaches Dave Shafer and Rod Workman, Cameron Ham, Chris Urbach, Grant Edwards and Andy Wernsman.

That Championship was won on a cold snowy Saturday afternoon in November when the Bulldogs took on the Merino Rams. The first meeting of the two teams came earlier in the regular season when the Rams beat the Bulldogs, 7-6, on the Rams home field. This time, the championship was on the line and would be played on Bulldog Field, later to be named Adam Wernsman Field.

The Bulldog's first score came from a Cameron Ham interception. Several plays later, Jesson Salyards scored and the Bulldogs never looked back. The final score of the first half came on a pass play from quarterback Andy Wernsman to receiver Michael Lampman, giving the Bulldogs a 30-0 lead at half time. Neither team scored in the second half.

There was not doubt on that day that the Bulldogs proved they were the best 8-man football team in Colorado to bring Haxtun its seventh State Football Championship.

Gus Harms was chosen MVP of the State game. Cameron Ham was chosen 8-man Offensive Player of the Year and Jesson Salyards was chosen 8-Man Defensive Player of the Year.