League recap: Hayden enters state Top 25 with win

By Staff Report Oct 3, 2012, 7:52pm

A-8 East - Central (8 Man) league recap: 10/3/12

A-8 East - Central (8 Man) recap Oct. 3, 2012

Hayden was able to crack the Top 25 in the state rankings this week after beating Rangely 69-30. The Tigers came in at 19 in the state poll after placing at number 29 last week.

West Grand was the team that gained the most ground in the standings this week, jumping from sixth to fourth in A-8 East - Central (8 Man). Earlier in the week, the Mustangs defeated South Park 50-0.

The Panthers' offense was tough to stop this week, as it produced the league's top passer, rusher and receiver. Toby Gasper threw for 143 and two touchdowns and Cameron Enterline had 109 yards receiving. On the ground Colton Coombs chipped in 171 yards. Chas Byerly helped Rangely's passing attack out by catching two balls for 34 yards.

Nic Paxton provided a threat through the air and on the ground as Soroco fell to Vail Christian. He completed four passes for 81 yards and also ran for 103 yards. Paxton's favorite target this week was Matthew Regan, who caught five passes for 55 yards.

5-foot-8 quarterback Austin Ellsworth of the Saints is the league leader in passing yards this season with 829. He has also thrown 16 touchdowns. On the ground, Hayden's Dan Engle has rushed for 543 yards which leads the league. The leading receiver in the league this season is Jacob Weece. The South Park star has 23 catches for 484 yards.

A big matchup in the league this week will be when Shawn Baumgartner's team takes on West Grand. The Tigers are in second place, while Chris Brown's team is in fourth place.

There should be lots of points scored when Vail Christian and Rangely face off this week. The top two offenses in the league, the Saints comes in having scored 196 this season, while Paul Fortunato's team has scored 224. Vail Christian scored 26 points last week as it bested the Rams.

The Saints extended the longest winning streak in A-8 East - Central (8 Man) this week by beating Soroco, 26-6. The win marks fifth in a row for the Vail Christian.



Story is based on stats entered in MaxPreps by Tuesday 5am PST each week.