By: Carter Williams

The Reds made a huge statement in the first round of the playoffs, ousting the Aspen Skiers 56-0. The Reds scored in the first two minutes of the game on an Austin Ekeler (13) touchdown run. The Reds’ defense, which has struggled a bit as of late, was lights out against the 15-seeded Skiers. Both Casey Edens (15) and Trent Sieg (13) had first quarter interceptions to help the Reds take a 28-0 lead after the quarter. The Reds then added two more scores within the first half of the second quarter to start the 40 point mercy rule running clock.

The Reds, with mainly junior varsity players on the field, added two more scores in the second half to win a game that only lasted an hour and 28 minutes from opening kickoff to end of the game.

Ekeler lead the Reds with 150 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries.Ekeler is closing in on the 2A state rushing record for a season, set by Fort Morgan’s Dusty Quick in 2001 with 2943 rush yards. Ekeler currently has 2326 yards, and with possibly three games remaining on the season, he could very well clinch the record.

The second seeded Reds host number seven, and arch rivals, Platte Valley in the quarterfinals at home on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1:00 pm. Earlier in the season, the Reds handled the Broncos 49-30. The winner of this game advances to the state semifinals against either Bayfield or Faith Christian.