Kanab hands Bulldogs tough loss 37-12
Matt Harris
Staff writer
9-8-2016
GUNNISON—A hard-fought battle came off with a bitter result for the Gunnison Valley Bulldogs after they took a 37-12 loss at the hands of the rival Kanab Cowboys on Friday.
The game got out of hand quickly when Kanab defender Layne Anderson intercepted a pass from Gunnison quarterback Kris Edwards and returned it 30 yards for Kanab’s first touchdown.
It was the first of a string of scores for the Cowboys, who went up 18-0 before Edwards released his first touchdown on the night, a 40-yard pass to receiver Kyler White, which made the score 18-6 at halftime.
“They had about three big plays, and that was on our missed assignments,” Gunnison Head Coach Jack Pay said at halftime. “We’ve just got to play mistake-free football.”
In the second half, Kanab continued to dominate by capitalizing on turnovers and physical advantages, and the Cowboys went up 37-6.
Late in the third quarter, Edwards almost brought the Bulldogs another touchdown after a pass-interference penalty put them about five yards off of the goal line, but an interception at the 1-yard line stole the opportunity away. The end of that play resulted in an on-field altercation between the teams after a rough tackle. A Gunnison player was ejected, and Kanab received two different unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Gunnison did score once more that night when Edwards completed another long touchdown to White in the fourth quarter, and the game ended 37-12. Edwards ended the game with an impressive line, passing for 248 yards and two touchdowns, but marred by three interceptions.
Edwards, though visibly hobbled by an injury sustained against North Sevier last week, played the game from start to finish.
“I came out for my teammates,” Edwards said. “I just want to build them up so we have a better season.”
The Bulldogs have another tough contest next week when they visit Grand next Friday at 7 p.m. The Red Devils are coming off their first loss of the season against American Leadership, 21-18.
