Out but not down

The Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Miners faced a determined Kaycee team on Saturday in Hanna. The Miners were down to seven players, but the scrappy team was ready to play their hearts out.

They did just that against a larger Buckaroo team.

The HEM team kept Kaycee scoreless until there was just a little over four minutes left in the 1st quarter.

"The boys really stepped up defensively today," Head Coach Zack Scott said. "All of our coaching this season on defensive playing came out today and we looked like a team on defense. We even gave Kaycee's starters a hard time."

Thomas Wagner led the team in tackles with nine solo tackles and 14 total. Jesse Deegan had five solo tackles, and 11 total. Every team member of the team contributed to the 46 total tackles.

The 2nd quarter went a bit stronger for the Buckaroos with them scoring three touchdowns with a little less than seven minutes left before the half ended. The Miners focused in and were able to keep the Buckaroos to only one more scoring opportunity before half-time making the score 39-0.

The score might seem lopsided, but given the Kaycee team had over 20 players to choose from, it was heartening to see the Miners, who could barely rest any player, keep playing hard with no let up.

"We grew up today and I like that," Scott said. "We kept improving all season long and I just told them that the season for next year starts now."

The 3rd quarter had Wagner score a touchdown. Overall Wagner rushed for 60 yards, carrying the ball 14 times. He went against a team that was keying in on him constantly which makes his gains that much more remarkable.

"Tom won't stop. He doesn't have that in him," Scott said. "He is a go-getter and a major leader of this team and hopefully we get him back next year."

Wagner is a junior.

Quarterback Dylan Romero had five completions out of 11 attempts. Romero was also there defensively. He got three solo tackles and a sack that cost the Buckaroos 14 yards.

Deegan was Romero's favorite receiver who garnered 17 yards.

Scott was proud of all the players and that included Anthony Solaas, Quinn Felton, Jared Nelson and Cody Priest.

"Overall, I am proud of the kids," Scott said. "The entire season, they never gave up and we could have."

Although the team didn't have its best season, Scott feels really good about the football program only losing Romero, the one senior.

"The future is bright at HEM," Scott concluded.