Devils ‘tackle Bubba’ and the Bulldogs
Vail, CO Colorado
GYPSUM – “Tackle Bubba” was posted on Eagle Valley’s Facebook page Thursday night.
The Devils defense did that and more Friday night in their 48-14 win over Moffat County and its quarterback Bubba Ivers at Hot Stuff Stadium in Gypsum. When the Bulldogs senior ran, the Devils defense hit him. When Ivers threw, the Devils were there to pound him as well.
Eagle Valley moved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Slope, while the Bulldogs fell to 2-3 and 1-2.
Perhaps most important, Eagle Valley closed the deal. The Devils had a 28-0 lead at the half, but in their two league games to date, their second-half performances had been poor. Not so Friday.
Also, Eagle Valley’s Jordon Hudspeth showed that there was more than one quarterback on the field. Amid all the talk of Ivers, the senior threw for four touchdowns and more than 200 yards. Those would be career-highs in both.
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Eagle Valley got the first break of the game as Ivers fumbled and the Devils’ Ty LaFramboise came up with the recovery. On third-and-9 from the Bulldogs’ 35, Hudspeth tossed a screen to Cole Nielsen.
There wasn’t much blocking in front, but Nielsen busted tackles and dodged his way to the end zone in a spectacular effort for a 7-0 Eagle Valley lead.
On Eagle Valley’s next possession, Nielsen ripped off an apparent 77-yard score, yet that was called back for a hold. No matter. Five plays later, Nielsen sprinted for 60 yards to the house.
With 6:57 left in the half, Moffat mishandled a snap from center. LaFramboise was Johnny-on-the-spot and scooped up the ball for a 26-yard return.
As the Eagle Valley defense continued to batter Ivers in the second quarter, the suddenly pass-happy Devils kept rolling. Hudspeth hit Sam Boyd for 40 yards and a 28-0 lead.
Eagle Valley opened the door for the Bulldogs late in the half when the Devils fumbled a punt on their 28. Moffat got to the 11, but the Devils defense stiffened, forcing a turnover on downs.
In the second half, Hudspeth hit Ayren Hart for a 73-yard touchdown. Ivers finally got loose in the fourth quarter. He fired a 55-yard pass to Jarrett Walt and then called his own number for a 10-yard scoring scamper.
Moffat recovered the ensuing onside kickoff, but the Devils defense stood tall again, stomping any chances of a Bulldogs comeback.
Hudspeth iced the game with his arm. He hooked up with Jay Dostal with 68 yards and then found Boyd in the end zone for a 42-7 lead.
Eagle Valley is at Glenwood Springs next week, while Moffat hosts Summit County.
Devils football
Moffat 0 0 0 14 – 14
Devils 14 14 7 13 – 48
First quarter
E – Jordon Hudspeth to Cole Nielsen, 35 pass, KG, 5:09
E – Nielsem, 60 run, KG, 0:59
Second quarter
E – Tyler LaFromboise, 26 fumble recovery, KG, 6:57
E – Hudspeth to Sam Boyd, 40 pass, KG, 3:02
Third quarter
E – Hudspeth to Ayren Hart, 73 pass, KG, 2:44
Fourth quarter
M – Bubba Ivers, 10 run, KG, 10:34
E – Hudspeth to Boyd, 18 pass, KG, 8:19
M – Ivers, 2 run, KG, 4:33
E – Jay Dostal, 26 run, KNG, 1:08