(KMTS TO COVER RIFLE-PALISADE LEAGUE TITLE GAME)
Glenwood Springs—The Glenwood Demons varsity football season is officially over. The Demons, hoping to play one last game this Friday night against the Eagle Valley Devils in Gypsum, learned today the game has been forfeited. Glenwood Springs High School Athletic Director Craig Denney was informed that Eagle Valley’s once proud football program has been struggling this season due to fewer players participating, injuries and too many freshman having to play at the varsity level. The Eagle Valley staff had no choice but to call off the game. Denney says he feels bad for Eagle Valley and all the players involved who would rather settle the score on the field. Denney can certainly empathize with Eagle Valley’s troubles. As the coach who had just been handed the playbook and whistle of a fledgling program in 1996, Denney was forced to cancel an entire varsity season to rebuild and regroup. Just 11 days ago, Glenwood, in realistic pursuit of a playoff run, was forced to forfeit all four of it’s victories due to the participation of an academically ineligible player. After learning their fate, the Demons overcame the disappointment and defeated the Summit Tigers 21-14. With last week’s 17-14 home loss to playoff-bound Rifle, the Demons officially end the season at 2 and 3 in Western Slope League play, 2 and 8 overall. Eagle Valley ends the disappointing year at 0 and 10, having scored a total of 26 points.
Meanwhile, the Rifle Bears are preparing to battle the Palisade Bulldogs in the regular season finale this Friday night at Bear’s Stadium. The winner will claim the league championship and will host a first round playoff game next Saturday, November 11th. KMTS Sports will be on hand for live coverage of the Bears-Bulldogs showdown as well as the 2017 playoffs.
