Although the weather was cold and windy, the action was hot and heavy at Gaskill Field in Limon in the quarterfinal gridiron battle between the Limon Badgers and Hotchkiss Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs were unable to do anything with their opening possession of the game.

After punting to Limon, the Badgers turned their first possession into a sustained drive and touchdown. With a successful two-point converson, Limon took the early lead 8-0.

Showing their discipline earned through an undefeated season,

the well-coached Bulldogs responded with a quick touchdown of their own. Tyler Hanson took a quick pitch from quarterback Ryan Spor around the right side for a 25 yard scoring run. Spor hit Hanson for the two-point conversion on a quick slant to tie up the game at 10:55 of the first quarter.

It became obvious these two teams were evenly matched, and that mistakes would play a big role in the outcome on a chilly, gray day.

Kyle Douglass (55) and Conner Beard (66) converge in the backfield to stop the Limon running back for no gain during Saturday’s playoff action in Limon. The two Bulldogs each tallied seven tackles in an outstanding defensive effort. Steven Floyd (86) also played well, with six tackles.

The score energized the Badger defense, and the Bulldogs went 3 and out. However, the swarming Bulldog defense created another opportunity as they knocked the ball free again. This time the Bulldogs recovered at the 33 yard line to give their offense a short field with about four minutes left in the half.

With a balanced running and throwing attack, the Bulldogs efficiently moved in for a touchdown. With 2:27 left in the first half, Spor scored from one yard out on a quarterback keeper back up the middle. The PAT kick was wide right, so the game remained tied at 14-14.

The Badgers responded by taking the ball back down the field and were threatening to retake the lead in the closing minutes of the half, but Ryan Spor stepped in front of another long pass towards the endzone and came down with an interception. With 1:11 showing on the clock, the Bulldogs mounted an exciting drive back up the field. Spor was effective with quick hitting sideline routes and quickly moved the Bulldogs into stiking distance. With nine seconds on the clock, Spor hit Pat Sullivan from 28 yards out. With the PAT kick by Sullivan, the Bulldogs went into the locker room up 21-14.

The Badgers took the second half kickoff and were unable to do much with the ball. But momentum shifted their way on the punt.

As the ball rolled towards the endzone, it bounced into an official and stopped at the two-yard line. Because the officials are “part” of the field, the play stood and the Bulldogs were pinned deep in their own territory. Unable to gain the first down, the Bulldogs punted back to Limon to give the Badgers the ball back at the 38.

The Bulldog defense put up a valiant effort to keep the Badgers out of the endzone, but slowly and surely Limon pushed their way in to score to tie things up at 21-21 with 4:01 left in the third quarter.

Momentum continued to roll Limon’s way when on the next Hotchkiss possession Limon’s Coltyn Beedy jumped a slant route to intercept a Spor pass and return it to the Bulldog 10 yard line. Three plays later Badger quarterback Matt Brown hit Jason Brown in the end zone to put Limon back on top at 28-21 with 1:38 left in the third quarter.

Coach Zac Lemon worked hard along the sidelines to rally his team, and the Bulldogs responded by mounting a sustained drive to the end zone. Hotchkiss appeared to tie the game when Jacobe Galley skampered across the goal line after Spor hit him with a quick pass to the left flat. A holding penalty nullified the touchdown and send the Bulldogs all the way out to the 20. On fourth and goal at the 11, the Badger defense stopped the Bulldogs to preserve their 28-21 lead with just over eight minutes left in the game.

Taking over on downs, the Limon running game started grinding out the clock as the Badgers moved the ball past midfield. The Bulldogs defense rallied and appeared to stop the Badgers on third and long with time left for the Hotchkiss offense to try to tie things up.

Unfortunately, a Bulldog mistake proved costly. A personal foul away from the play gave Limon new life with a first down. Two plays later the Bulldog defense faltered and Badger quarterback Brown broke free for a 42-yard scoring run.

Down 35-21 with 4:40 left in the game, the Bulldogs faced a stiff challenge. And once again the team showed great character as they mounted another terrific drive. In two minutes the Bulldogs drove down and scored to make the score 35-28.

With everyone on the edge of their seats, the Bulldogs attempted an onside kick with less than three minutes left in the game. Pat Sullivan got a good bounce with his kickoff but the Badgers were able to cover the ball, and ultimately run out the clock to secure the 35-28 win.

The Bulldogs walked off Gaskill Field Saturday afternoon to a rousing ovation from the many Hotchkiss fans who braved the winter weather to travel to Limon. They had been treated to an outstanding playoff battle where their Bulldogs went toe-to-toe with a good Limon team and coming within a play or two of advancing to the 1A football semifinal matchup against Yuma.

The Hotchkiss offense had a big day against the Badgers, with 342 total yards. Ryan Spor was 19 of 23 passes for 206 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Pat Sullivan was the top receiver with seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. Gage Grimmett caught four for 25 yards. Also making catches were Tyler Handson, Jaime Rodriguez, Dakota Coats and Steven Floyd.

The Bulldog ground game was also effective with 136 total yards. Tyler Hanson carried the ball 14 times for 94 yards, and scored two touchdowns. Jaime Rodriguez had eight carries for 23 yards, Ryan Spor gained 10 yards on four carries and scored a touchdown. Jacobe Galley had three carries for nine yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jake Richards lead the team with eight tackles. Kyle O’Brien also had a big day with seven tackles, including two sacks. Jacobe Galley, Kyle Douglass and Conner Beard also tallied seven tackles each. Steven Floyd was credited with six tackles. Tyler Hanson had five tackles, Gage Grimmett had four, and Ryan Spor had three tackles and an interception. Pat Sullivan and Dakota Coats each had three tackles. Braeden Horton tallied one tackle.

The Bulldogs ended their 2009 season with 10 wins and one loss.

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