Barbara Lawlor, Gilpin County. Saturday's football game between the Gilpin County Eagles and the West Grand Mustangs started slow for Gilpin as the Mustangs grabbed an 8-22 lead in the first quarter. But the Eagles heated up in the second quarter catching two touchdowns and two two-point conversions while Gilpin defense put a stop to West Grand's offense.

At halftime on the Gilpin field, the score was 24-22. The third quarter was a defensive battle and neither team moved into the end zone. The fourth quarter belonged to the Eagles and so did the game, an action-packed win 40-30 on Saturday,

Eagle quarterback Chase Boulder was the Overall Player of the Game. Jonny Lovett was the Offensive Player of the Game and

Gerardo Correa was the Defensive Player of the Game.

Near the end of the first quarter, quarterback Chase Boulter found Jonny Lovett for a position on the Mustang 20-yard line. Matt Immordino earned a first down and then moved the ball to the 5-yard line where Ben Mestdagh ran in for the touchdown. Dalton Dziedzic completed the two-point conversion and the Eagles were on the scoreboard. Eagle cheerleaders did eight pushups to mark the TD. But victory cheers lasted only until the kick, when the Mustangs immediately returned it for another touchdown and a 22-8 lead.

The second quarter began with a strong drive by the Eagles, with Immordino plowing through the Mustang line and gaining six first downs to the end zone and the two-point conversion. The Eagles were back in the game 16-22.

West Grand pushed into Eagle territory, but Dziedzic intercepted a Mustang pass, giving Gilpin the ball and good field position. A pass to Jonny Lovett put him in the end zone and Immordino ran the ball in for two more points and Gilpin took a 24-22 lead before halftime.

The Eagles held the Mustangs in the third quarter and a fumble gave Gilpin the ball and time for a drive into West Grand territory. The first play in the fourth quarter resulted in a pass to Lovett for the touchdown and Immordino gained two points in the conversion, 32-22.

Chase Boulter ran the ball for another Gilpin touchdown before the end of the game. By this time Eagle cheerleaders were doing pushups by fives. Gilpin hung on to the 40-30 lead and the game was theirs.

They are now 2-2 for the season. Their next home game will be on September 27, when they host the Nederland Panthers.

Gilpin Stats:

Passing: Chase Boulter, 5 completions of 8 attempts for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns

Rushing: Dalton Dziedzic 6 carries for 18 yards; Chase Boulter, 8 carries for 56 yards and one touchdown; Matt Immordino, 40 carries for 151 yards and 1 touchdown.

Receiving: Dalton Dziedzic, 1 reception for 39 yards; Ben Mestagh, 1 reception for 5 yards and 1 touchdosn; Jonny Lovett, 3 receptions for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns

Tackles: Dalton Dziedzic, 12 tackles, 1 assist

Austin Boulter, 2 tackles

Stephen Rumor, 1 tackle

Mat Immordino, 6 tackles

Josh Trujillo, 1 tackle, Gerardo Correa, 6 tackles, 5 assists

Jonny Lovett, 8 tackles

Bjorn Tomlinson, 4 tackles 3 assists

Kyle Viboolsittiseri, 3 tackles, 6 assists

Sam Ghaffari, 4 tackles, 6 assists

Dalton Dziedzic 1 interception

Gerrardo Correa, 1 fumble recovery