For The Journal

Prior to the Mancos High School football team’s first game of the 2017 season, senior Kaleb Hargraves said that he believed that his team was capable of qualifying for the playoffs and bringing home a state title.

“We want to go to state and take it all the way back,” Hargraves said. “We’re a talented team and I think that we’re going to have a great season.”

At the time of the senior’s quote, the thought of the Bluejays winning a state title seemed extremely far-fetched, but after seven wins in its last eight games and five straight wins against league competition, a deep playoff run is no longer beyond the realm of possibilities.

Prior to its first playoff matchup however, Mancos must take care of business this weekend on the road Southwest League opponent Sargent High School, which will enter the contest with a 5-3 record overall and a 5-0 record in Southwest League competition.

In addition to maintaining momentum heading into postseason, the winner of the Oct. 27 contest between the Bluejays and the Farmers will be crowned league champion and will likely receive a favorable seed in the playoffs.

Given their identical 5-0 records against common opponents, it is difficult to predict a final outcome for the game between Mancos, which is currently ranked 8th in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s latest poll, and Sargent, is currently ranked 10th.

Mancos will enter the contest following its first victory over Norwood in eight years, a 50-0 victory over Nederland, and a 54-0 victory over Dove Creek. Sargent squeaked past Sanford, 26-0 nothing last week.

The game between Mancos and Sargent is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27.