Football Game Preview: Dove Creek Bulldogs vs. Sanford Mustangs

Dove Creek and Sanford are an even 5-5 against one another since October of 2015, but not for long. The Bulldogs are taking a road trip to take on the Mustangs at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Dove Creek is headed into the contest after thoroughly thrashing Sargent: they outscored them in every quarter. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Bulldogs blew the Farmers out of the water with a 56-0 final score. That 56 point margin sets a new team best for the Bulldogs this season.

Josh Kibel

Rushing Yards

10/24/25 vs Sargent	132
10/16/25 @ Dolores	12
10/10/25 @ Norwood	37
10/02/25 vs Mancos	13
09/26/25 vs Monticello	80
+ 3 more games

This one was won in the trenches and the lion's share of the credit has to go to Nicholas Aragon and Josh Kibel. Aragon gained 137 total yards while Kibel rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown on only eight carries. That's the most rushing yards Kibel has posted since back in August. Kycen Gritz was another key player, gaining 58 total yards and two touchdowns.

Dove Creek was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 332 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 153 rushing yards in 13 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.

On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Dove Creek's defense and their 14 sacks. Aragon led the group effort, picking up six of those sacks all by himself.

Meanwhile, Sanford entered their tilt with Dolores on Friday with four consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with five. They walked away with a 28-18 win over the Bears. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Mustangs' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Colorado football rankings (they are ranked fifth, while the Bears are ranked 38th).

Sanford's record is now 7-1. As for Dove Creek, the victory got them back to even at 4-4.

Dove Creek suffered a grim 41-18 defeat to Sanford in their previous meeting back in November of 2024. Can the Bulldogs avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.