Getting offensive numbers necessary to produce much greater results, Center head coach Lee Flood likely was still in disbelief a week later that his Vikings would be hosting Ignacio after having won a 1A Southern Peaks Conference road game with just two points.
Of course, Center’s opponent then also happened to be a ramshackle Dolores – nothing like the team that was coming out to Center Community Park last Friday, Oct. 11.
Somewhat score-starved themselves after posting just 24 points in losses to SPC powers Monte Vista and Centauri – but regularly able to move the ball deep into the enemies’ territory – the Bobcats weren’t about to be bullied a third straight week. They blew the game open in the second quarter en route to a 38-26 victory.
Senior Adam Herrera – inactive for Ignacio’s 58-16 loss in La Jara six days earlier – returned to action, contributing touchdowns via punt return and reception, one of junior Adison Jones’ three TD throws. Senior Clayton Jefferson hauled in the other two against the Vikes, then a “receiving votes” team in the CHSAANow.com poll with a 5-1 overall record.
Jones, who’d thrown for 310 yards and scores to Jefferson and sophomore Wyatt Hayes in the road loss at Centauri, was a reported 21-of-36 for 280 in Center after another strong effort by his O-line.
That will not bode well for winless Del Norte (0-7, 0-3 SPC), visiting IHS Field Oct. 18 for the Bobcats’ Homecoming/Senior Night home finale. The Tigers have scored but 19 points, have allowed 344, and have been shut out five times – so far – in 2013.
Hotly pursuing a winning season, Ignacio improved to 4-3, 1-2 by beating the Vikings (5-2, 1-2), who will make the short intra-San Luis Valley trip down to MVHS (6-1, 3-0) on Oct. 18. SoPeaks co-leaders Centauri (6-1, 3-0), meanwhile, will head west to take on DHS (1-5, 1-2).