It is time to get back to business for the Yuma High School football team.
The bye week now is in the past as the Outlaws make a long trip to Torrington, Wyoming on Friday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
“Bye weeks are hard, especially when you’re dealing with teenagers,” coach Kelly Seward said, “which I get, they have a lot on their minds.”
The Trailblazers also are coming off a bye week, sitting at 1-1. They opened the season with a 42-15 home loss to Gering, Nebraska, then claimed a 48-3 win at Wheatland, Wyoming.
“We need to limit big plays and control them up front,” Seward said. “They are well coached and have good athletes. They are going to load up in the box to try to stop our run game, so it will be big if we can hit some passes to loosen things up.”
Yuma is 2-0 after opening at home with a 21-7 win over Chase County, Nebraska, then traveled to Clear Creek High School where it claimed an encouraging 31-15 win over North Fork.
The Outlaws and Trailblazers met last season in Yuma, with the home team gutting out an 8-3 win.
Yuma is off to a promising start in 2025, with two more non-league games before North Central Conference play begins in early October. The Outlaws finally play at home again next Friday, September 26, when they host Brush to close out non-league play.
“Our run defense has been has been really good,” Seward said. “What else I like is when you look at the sheet, it’s truly a group effort (on offense), which is great to see. I don’t know who you game plan on us as a defense.”
Seward said he also has been pleased with the play of his offensive and defensive lines. The Outlaws have some depth there, allowing them to rotate players to keep them fresh.
“If you’re physical upfront, good things happen,” he said, “and so far we’ve been physical.”
Yuma moved up two spots to No. 8 in the Colorado Preps Class 1A Top 10 while not playing last week. Limon is No. 1, Wray No. 4 and Burlington No. 7, while Wiggins dropped out.
Only half of the NCC teams played last Friday. It was a rough night for the strong conference. Scott City, Kansas, must be really good because it once again rolled past Wray, 34-6. Wiggins lost 47-20 at Highland, and Holyoke fell 34-25 at Colby, Kansas.
Limon returns to action this week with a Saturday afternoon home game against Bennett. Burlington hosts Lamar on Friday after having a week off. Wray hosts Brush on Friday before getting a bye next week. Holyoke hosts Peyton on Friday before also getting a bye next week. Wiggins has its bye this week.
Seward said his main concern moving forward is remaining healthy and staying engaged when the going gets tough in the NCC slate.
“We’ve had great effort and leadership,” he said. “If the kids are excited to be there, that makes the job fun.”