It’s Kids’ Day at Colorado Mines on Saturday, and not just because redshirt freshman David Pesek will make his first start at quarterback.
Mines is participating in the NCAA’s 11th annual “Take a Kid to the Game” program for the game against Fort Lewis, enabling children 14 and younger to receive a free ticket with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.
Pesek, an Arapahoe High alum, is the fourth quarterback to start for Mines (3-4, 1-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference).
“It was a major hit to lose our starting quarterback,” said coach Bob Stitt of senior Garrett Mehl. “We feel like we’d be 5-2 right now if he was still playing.”
When Mehl injured his shoulder Sept. 9, Stitt could not turn to true freshman Keenan Bruchez until Sept. 30 when the Hayden High grad cleared the NCAA clearinghouse. Bruchez completed 66 percent of his passes in two games, including a 69-0 pounding of Panhandle State (Okla.). But a rib injury has sidelined him for the rest of the season.
“He could be the answer to our questions on offense in the future, and then he got hurt,” Stitt said.
Mehl returned Saturday and led the team to a touchdown on the opening drive against Western New Mexico. But Mehl reinjured his shoulder on the next series. Pesek did not take snaps last week, so Rowdy Arciaga replaced Mehl again.
While Arciaga and the offense were unable to generate another TD, the Orediggers’ defense and a career-best 50-yard field goal by Aaron Abel lifted Mines to a 10-6 victory.
“Our defense is playing phenomenal,” Stitt said, crediting new coordinator Marty Heaton. “We’d never won a game scoring 10 points. The offense is going to be fine down the line. You add that defense and it’s pretty exciting.”
Pesek, a dropback passer who also can run the option, has taken snaps all week.
“He can do it all,” Stitt said. “He can run and throw and he’s quick and smart. I think he’s ready.”
Goals remain
Although Fort Lewis lost to Chadron (Neb.) 40-27 on Saturday, the Skyhawks (5-3, 5-1) still have a chance to make the Division II tournament based on their No. 6 regional ranking. Chadron (7-0, 4-0) is rated No. 3 in the Southwest region, and Nebraska-Kearney (4-2, 3-1) is No. 10.
New home for Sleeth
Former Northglenn High four-sport athlete and Northern Colorado standout wide receiver Cory Sleeth is flourishing at Kearney. Sleeth leads the Lopers with a 14.4 yards-per-catch average. In six games, he has 29 receptions for 419 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns.
Footnotes
Mines senior running back Bryan Florendo ranks third in the conference in rushing (4.3 yards per carry) and second in catches per game (6.43). … Chadron’s Division II player of the year candidate Danny Woodhead gained 247 of his 301 rushing yards in the second half against Fort Lewis, becoming the first RMAC running back to surpass 5,000 career rushing yards. The junior ranks 17th in Division II rushing history with 5,215 yards.
