Gallery • 9 Photos

Ryley Moreno

New and Improved Cougars

Last year, the Cougars had a record of 4 wins, 4 losses, and a tie. After seven games this season, they have exceeded last year’s win total with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses. 

This team has improved immensely since last season on both sides of the ball. But the defense is the main focus this Friday against Verona. 

Head Coach Adam Bunderson believes the driving force for this year’s team has been the current senior playmakers who were involved last season. 

Among that standout senior class is Jaxon White, who has 77 total tackles and averages 11 tackles per game with 12 tackles for loss per game. 

However, Jaxon White won’t be alone thanks to other standout players like Brian Deltgen, George Green, Eddie Mclevige, and Weston Krause. 

These five players have stacked well in the defensive box, coming together to average 4.8 tackles for loss per game. 

To keep this season rolling, the Cougars will call on those playmakers to defeat the 6-1 Verona Wildcats at home in this Friday’s Homecoming game. 

How do the Cougars stay dominant on offense?

The Cougars have had four wins by 25 points or more this season–including 3 shutouts–and look to add another against Verona. 

Coach Bunderson believes the keys are simple: the Cougars will need both the offense and defense to win the game.

“Whether it’s offense or defense, we know it’s gonna be a close game and they’ll both have to contribute,” he said.

Last year’s Cougars had a rough time throwing the ball, averaging only 106.6 pass yards per game. That seems to be no problem this year with their average of 237.7 yards per game. 

“One of the reasons we’ve been able to throw for so many yards is we have Levi {Booker}…and a lot of different guys we can get the ball to,” Bunderson said. “And Paul {Platts} does a really good job at spreading {the ball} out.”  

Levi Booker and Paul Platts have been electric together with 22 receptions, 535 yards, and 8 touchdowns together; this duo is unstoppable and puts them both in their respectable ranks at number one in their positions in the Big Eight Conference. 

HOCO Spirit

The excitement for the game is contagious. With the Homecoming spirit of everyone in Craig, people are expecting a great game from the Cougars. 

Insider reports from the coach believe this game won’t be easy but could be a well-fought win. 

Junior Landon Colson, captain of the varsity wrestling team, said, “I predict they get the win 21-17 and Pauly P (Paul Platts) goes off.” 

With all this Homecoming hype the students of Craig are ecstatic for this game and can’t wait to watch the Cougars tonight.

Attached is a photo gallery from the Cougars battle for the Monterey Rock against Parker on Friday, Sept. 8. Thank you Ryley Moreno of Yearbook for taking the photos.

Look for our report and photos from the Homecoming game on Monday, Oct. 9.