Preps: Basalt football beats Grand Valley to open league play, stays unbeaten at 5-0
Photo by Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The Basalt High School football team only needed one half to put away visiting Grand Valley on Friday night, winning 42-6 in the league opener on a wet BHS field. It was also homecoming for the Longhorns.
BHS, ranked No. 4 in Class 2A this week, scored on its first offensive play from scrimmage with quarterback Kade Schneider connecting with Trevin Beckman for a 53-yard score. After exchanging a few fumbles — a steady rain made holding onto the football a chore for both teams — Noah Johnston blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by Cooper Crawford for a 14-0 Basalt lead.
The Longhorns took a 21-0 lead into the second quarter via a short Beckman TD run late in the first quarter.
With just under 10 minutes to play in the first half, Crawford broke free for a 42-yard TD run and a 28-0 lead. After recovering a Grand Valley fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Crawford rumbled in again from about 20 yards out to make it 35-0.
Basalt’s final score came when Schneider found Will Keating for a 10-yard TD pass and catch. Keating, who also does the kicking, made it 42-0 with his extra point. The margin started the running clock with about three minutes to go in the first half.
The Cardinals scored their only points via a short TD run early in the third quarter against mostly BHS reserves. They failed on their 2-point conversion attempt.
The loss dropped Grand Valley to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in league play. The Cardinals have now lost three straight after a 2-0 start to the season.
Basalt improved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in league play. BHS has barely been tested, a 28-12 win over Glenwood Springs two weeks prior being the closest game. The Longhorns also have wins over Eagle Valley (39-16), Battle Mountain (43-8) and Roaring Fork (47-21).
Aspen played Friday night at Coal Ridge, winning 17-6 in its league opener, according to MaxPreps. This gives the Skiers two wins in three games after a tough 0-2 start to open the season.
Now 2-3 overall and 1-0 in league play, AHS returns home to host Grand Valley this coming week. Coal Ridge (2-3, 0-1) will host Moffat County next week. The No. 9-ranked Bulldogs held on to beat Rifle on Friday, 29-26.
Basalt plays this coming Friday at Rifle, with another massive game coming Oct. 14 at Moffat County.
Softball
Earlier Friday, BHS softball lost 10-6 at home to Rifle in a non-league game. The loss snapped a six-game win streak for the Longhorns, who fall to 9-5 overall and remain 5-3 in Western Slope League play. BHS is chasing Montezuma-Cortez and Delta in the WSL standings.
Basalt is off until Monday when it plays a non-league game at Battle Mountain. Rifle is now 11-5 overall.
Aspen softball remains winless at 0-12 ahead of Monday’s road trip to Meeker.
Soccer
After starting the season 0-4, Aspen High School boys soccer has now gone two games without a loss. After a 4-0 win over CRMS on Sept. 19, the Skiers then held on for a 1-1 draw with Delta on Thursday.
The Skiers (1-4-1) next play Monday at Basalt. The Longhorns are 3-5 overall following Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to Roaring Fork. The Rams are 6-2 overall and were ranked No. 6 in Class 3A this past week.
Volleyball
In volleyball, Aspen was 5-6 overall prior to Thursday’s game against Battle Mountain. The score to that game had not been posted to MaxPreps as of Friday night. AHS will host Delta on Tuesday.
Basalt volleyball is 2-11 overall after a 3-2 loss to North Fork on Thursday. The Longhorns are off until hosting Coal Ridge on Tuesday.
Postseason is here
This coming week, boys golf will go to the state tournament on Monday and Tuesday in Denver. Both Basalt and Aspen are sending four players to compete. The Skiers are the defending state champions.
Boys tennis regionals are this coming week as well, while cross country still has a few weeks to go before regional racing. AHS cross country will host its home race next Saturday, Oct. 8.
