Football has returned: An Eagle does his best to avoid a tackler in Gilpin’s second game of the season. PHOTO BY DAVE GIBSON[/caption]

“There’s two times of year for me: football season, and waiting for football season.” – Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish

The calendar says it’s that time of year again with the pros, colleges, and high schools having begun their respective football seasons. Friday, September 1, at Gilpin County Stadium was already the Eagles’ second game of the year. Chances for victory were good against the Soroco Rams following a tough loss against West Grand last week. Without a single bandwagon jumper among them, a healthy turnout of loyal fans took their seats in anticipation of the contest.

Wasting little time getting on the scoreboard, Gilpin Eagle Drew Starkey picked up a muffed punt and raced 50 yards into the end zone. A defensive struggle throughout the first two quarters, cornerback Landon Church intercepted a Soroco pass at his own 15-yard line. Racing almost the entire length of the field, a saving tackle was made at the 1-yard line as time ran out in the first half. Score at halftime: Gilpin 6, Soroco 0.

A turnover cost the Rams early in the third quarter when Connor Holloway intercepted a pass and scampered 20 yards for another Gilpin touchdown. Neither team would register a 2-point conversion during the game. Soroco would score their first touchdown on a long run then added more points with :07 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Score: Gilpin 12, Soroco 12.

The fourth quarter is sometimes when the Eagles’ opponents get winded from the elevation. It was not the case with the Soroco Rams who hail from Southern Routt County. Finding their rhythm mostly through the outside run game, grinding down Gilpin’s defense that had spent a lot of time on the field, they’d hang 18 points on the Eagles. Final score: Gilpin 12, Soroco 30.

Standout performers included juniors Brennan Lautrup at nose guard, and leading tacklers Drew Starkey (1 TD), Connor Holloway (1 TD), and Andrew Davis.

With positives to build on, the Eagles have a week to prepare for archrival Justice Phoenix at Boulder High School, Saturday, September 9, at 6 p.m.