Bulldogs move to #1 in 8-man rankings after win over Akron Rams

The Haxtun Bulldogs have clinched the number one spot in all of 8-man football according to RPI rankings per the Colorado High School Activities Association following a 48-0 victory over the Akron Rams on Friday.

The Plains League shutout leaves the Bulldogs 6-1 overall and in the top 8-man spot just ahead of number two Mancos. Mancos is currently 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Mountain League along with Sanford. Those two teams are scheduled to meet up this week, one of which will take the top spot in the 8-man Mountain League heading into the post season.

Only three 8-man teams remain undefeated including McClave, Byers and West Grand, according to information on CHSAA's website. McClave and Byers both boast 6-0 records, West Grant currently stands at 7-0.

The Bulldogs came out hot against the Rams on Friday, scoring on the first drive of the contest with a run by quarterback Ryland Wolff. In a wildcat formation, Grant Statz threw a pass to Corbin Andersen for the two-point conversion to put Haxtun on the board with eight with 10:26 still on the clock in the first quarter.

Haxtun fumbled the ball in their next possession but recovered it on the very next play giving the Bulldogs perfect field position for another scoring drive. Grant Statz scored two plays later and although the Bulldogs came up short on the points-after attempt, held a 14-0 advantage.

Akron attempted another drive, but the Rams were forced to punt on fourth down, which was blocked by the Bulldogs. Haxtun drove to the end zone by means of a run from Grant Statz. The next play, a quarterback keeper by Wolff put six more points on the board for the Bulldogs to give the home team a 20 point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Shortly into the second, Wolff scored his third touchdown of the game to put the Bulldogs up by nearly 30. Total the Bulldogs put another 20 points on the board in the second for a 40-0 advantage at half time.

With a running clock, the game went faster throughout the second half, but the Bulldogs managed one last touchdown, late in the fourth, for a final 48-0 stomping of the Rams.

"We are playing incredibly physical right now and that is only credit to the young men who suit up," said Head Coach JD Stone. "Up front on offense and defense, they are punishing our opponent, credit to those line Dogs. And everyone knows what to expect out of our linebackers and defensive backs."

Wolff completed two passes for 18 yards in the quarterback position on Friday. Grant Statz and Chase Goddard caught both those passes.

Wolff also led the Bulldog ground game with 152 yards off 10 carries. The senior averaged 15.2 yards per carry with a long of 49 yards. Grant Statz carried the ball 15 times for 146 yards with a long of 47. He averaged 9.7 yards per carry. Zach Statz, Grant's younger brother, registered 106 yards from seven carries with an average of 15.1 yards per carry.

Cole Firme and Zach Statz led the Bulldogs in tackles with 12 each; Firme had two solo and 10 assisted while Zach Statz earned six solo and six assisted. Grant Statz registered 11 total tackles, six solo and five assisted. Seth Seger had eight total tackles followed by Wolff, Brandon Nall and Zach Fryrear, each with four.

Carter Lock, Ryan Davis and Seth Seger each sacked the Rams quarterback once on Friday.

"We are going to take the week off to get the boys' bodies and minds right," Stone said of his team's second bye week of the season. "We have had a bug in the locker room, Doc is giving the guys some things to do to take care of that, plus a lot yoga, time in the training room and mental reps with film and board time."

Following the bye week, the Bulldogs are set to host Dayspring Christian Academy. The week after, they travel to face Sedgwick County. As of this week, DCA is 4-3 and Sedgwick County is 3-3.

"We must take the next seven weeks week by week. This week, get us right, next week be prepared for Dayspring," said Stone.