Showing no indication of cobwebs after a long offseason, Chorbin Cressler and the Dove Creek High School football team opened their season in style with a 58-14 road victory over Monument Valley on Aug. 30.

Bulldogs quarterback Cressler figures to be among the most explosive players in the A-8 Mountain League this season, and Friday he got off to a good start. The sophomore rushed for 188 yards and four touchdowns and threw for an additional 77 yards during what was likely the best performance of his young career.

Several other Dove Creek ball carriers also enjoyed outstanding evenings, including freshman Cade Hankins, who rushed for 106 yards and one touchdown and Gauge Thompson, who ran for 73 yards and one touchdown.

Dove Creek amassed 461 rushing yards on 41 carries and scored all seven of its touchdowns on the ground.

Freshman Kendall Gardner paced the Bulldogs on defense with two sacks, and junior Hayden Gray led the team in total tackles with five.

Dove Creek led 24-6 at the end of the first quarter and found itself ahead 46-6 at halftime. Two touchdowns during the third quarter put Dove Creek ahead 58-14, and neither team scored during the final quarter of the contest.

With its record now at 1-0 on the season, Dove Creek will prepare for next week’s contest against Rangely, which will take place on the road on Sept. 6.