The Haxtun Bulldogs are the 2021 Plains League Champions! The Bulldogs clinched the league title following a win over Denver Christian on Saturday afternoon in gridiron action at Adam Wernsman Field. The League title is the first for Bulldog football in nearly two decades.

“We had three major goals this year: win our league, play at home in the playoffs and win a State title,” Head Coach JD Stone said after his team’s 69-12 win over Denver Christian. “We are excited about our first league championship in 20 years, but our mission for the 2021 season is far from finished.”

The 8-0 Haxtun Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 417 to 64 in their impressive undefeated season thus far. According information on Colorado Preps, Colorado High School Activities Association rankings have the team in the number one seat in all of 8-man action. The Bulldogs are one of three 8-man teams who remain undefeated this season, all of whom hold the top three spots in the State. Mancos currently sits number two with a 6-0 record and number three Vail Christian is also 8-0. Sedgwick County and Akron, respectively, round out the top-five spots in 8-man football action as of Tuesday of this week.

The home team Bulldogs took a commanding 48-0 advantage after the first quarter in Haxtun on Saturday against the Thunder from Denver Christian. Haxtun tacked on another eight in the second to take a 56-0 lead at the half.

The second half opened with six points for each team but the Bulldogs added another seven in the fourth to claim the 57-point victory in their last regular season home game.

The Bulldogs completed 35 total plays in the outing, including 19 first downs.

Senior quarterback Owen Knode completed two of four passes for 73 yards. Freshman quarterback Ryland Wolff also saw action under center; he completed two of four passes for 47 yards.

On the ground, the Bulldogs racked up 304 rushing yards, led by junior Michael Gerk. Gerk carried the ball four times for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Osman Coss tallied 50 yards from four carries followed by Wolff with 43 yards from four carries and one touchdown. Isaac Andersen carried the ball five times for a total of 41 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Kailin Kelley also registered two rushing touchdowns; he earned 29 yards from five carries.

Andersen and Kelley each caught one pass in the air; Kelley for 21 yards and Andersen for 20.

Two Bulldogs earned six tackles in the contest to lead the Bulldogs; Andersen earned six total from three solo and three assisted while Grant Statz tallied one solo and five assisted tackles for a total of six. Kelley, Wolff and Keegan Colglazier each registered four total blocks followed by Gerk and Knode, each with three.

This week the Bulldogs are set to take the road for a contest with Akron. The Rams are currently 6-2 overall and 3-2 in league play.

“We have put a huge emphases on our running game and our physicality this year, we still have not hit our peak. This will be our key though the post season,” Coach Stone said looking ahead. “We feel the playoffs start this week against Akron, they are a top five team. We want to make a statement and secure a home semifinals game for our fans and the entire Bulldog family.”

Action in Akron is set for 7:30 p.m.