Good game lost

Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School Miner football team met the Kaycee Buckaroos at noon, Friday on HEM's home turf.

Last year, the Miners had just enough players for 6-man.

This year due to an influx of freshmen, the team has more players and surprising depth given how young so many players are.

In the 1st quarter, the teams played even and there was no score. Both defenses dug in.

Then, very early in the 2nd quarter, the Buckaroos scored due to a turnover. The score was 8 to 0.

The Miners' defense played extremely well but the Buckaroos took advantage of the several turnovers scoring two more times before halftime.

The Buckaroos went into the locker room ahead 21 to 0.

The 3rd quarter defenses dug in on both sides. Kaycee added eight points to their tally. Going into the 4th quarter, the Miners kept fighting. They had a couple turnovers but there was no scoring on them.

To the home crowd's delight, the Miners scored with seven minutes left. Sadly for the Miners, the kickoff to the Buckaroos was run back for a score the next play.

The score was 37 to 6.

The Miners didn't lose heart. 

The clock ran down to four minutes left in the game and the Miners scored again. They added eight points to their board.

Those points would be the last of the game. 

Both defenses denied any more points to be scored by either team.

The game ended with the Buckaroos on top 37 to 14.

After the game, both teams got together and did a prayer in huddle. The crowd yelled in full support of this act of good sportsmanship.

Head HEM Football Coach Zac Scott was extremely happy with his team.

"I could not be prouder of these boys," Scott said. "They played excellent defense and if we had not had the turnovers, which can be attributed to first game jitters, because we have a lot of young players, it would have been a different game. You can't win by giving up the ball like we did in the beginning."

Scott said, Kaycee won the first half and did so with some big plays.

"They didn't drive on us," Scott said. "We made them play for every one of the yards they got. The 2nd half we got better and better and came close to winning the half."

The young team has a lot of freshmen stepping up in key positions, said Scott.

Nathan Atencio, as a freshman, is the starting quarterback.

"Nathan is 14," Scott said. "It is a bold move and I think it is one his shoulders can handle."

Scott said every player did well this game and he was extremely pleased with the HEM team.

"Today, I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else as I watch this team grow," Scott said. "This is what football is all about. This is fun."

The next game for the Miners is at 3 p.m. on September 10 at HEM against Cheyenne 9th grade. It the Miners homecoming game.