FORT MORGAN — Train tracks ran right through Fort Morgan’s Legion Field as far as D’Evelyn coach Jeremy Bennett was concerned Saturday afternoon.
“That Chris Cobbley kid — he’s a freight train,” Bennett said after Cobbley, a 5-foot- 7, 186-pound senior, rushed for 211 yards, scored three touchdowns and even intercepted three passes in the Mustangs’ 42-24 3A state semifinal football win.
“He intercepted three passes?” Bennett asked. “Wow, I guess he’s the player of the game. But really, their whole team is very impressive. That’s the best team we’ve played this year.”
The undefeated Mustangs (13-0) rumbled on despite falling behind 10-0 before picking up one first down.
D’Evelyn’s pinpoint passing game was dead-on during the first two drives. After settling for a field goal on the first drive, senior Sean Rebek — who caught 14 passes for 187 yards — made a brilliant 30-yard reception to set up quarterback Garrett Griffeth’s 8-yard touchdown run. Kyle Petry’s point-after kick meant D’Evelyn had surpassed Fort Morgan’s points- allowed season average (8.2) in exactly 8 minutes and 33 seconds.
“We didn’t say a thing,” Cobbley explained about the shocking beginning. “We knew what had to be done.”
What Morgan did was complete two huge passes that ignited the offense. Junior Garrett Pape — who finished a perfect 6-for-6 — found senior Casey Scott for 40 yards to the Jaguars’ 30. After Cobbley churned out 3 yards, Pape found Scott again just inside the end-zone pylon on a 27-yard scoring play.
Senior Tanner Kinnison kicked the first of his six PATs, and the Mustangs wouldn’t lose momentum again until they built a 35-10 lead.
“It’s a dream come true,” Cobbley said about reaching Saturday’s 3A state title game against 13-0 Glenwood Springs. “But it’s a dream that’s not over yet.”
D’Evelyn 10 0 7 7 — 24
Fort Morgan 7 21 14 0 — 42
D — FG Petry 21. D — Griffeth 8 run (Petry kick). FM — Scott 27 pass from Pape (Kinnison kick). FM — Cobbley 35 run (Kinnison kick). FM — Deroche 1 run (Kinnison kick). FM — Cobbley 1 run (Kinnison kick). FM — Deroche 12 run (Kinnison kick). D — Davis 11 pass from Griffeth (Petry kick). FM — Cobbley 46 run (Kinnison kick). D — Griffeth 2 run (Petry kick).
