Baxter football starts fast, cruises past Colo-NESCO

BAXTER — Doing most of its damage in the first half, Baxter’s football team cruised past Colo-NESCO on Friday night during the season opener at home.

The Bolts improved to 4-0 against the Royals since dropping to 8-man and a 48-20 win was the latest in the streak.

Baxter led 40-0 at halftime. Thirteen of the 20 points scored by the Royals (0-1) came in the fourth quarter.

Junior Cody Damman threw for 138 yards and two scores, rushed for 55 yards and had 5 1/2 tackles on defense for the Bolts. Senior Rory Heer added 96 rushing yards and two scores, hauled in two catches for 69 yards and another score and had four tackles.

Junior Jake Travis had the best game of his prep career, finishing with 44 rushing yards and one TD, 49 receiving yards and another score and a career-high 11 1/2 tackles and four tackles for loss on defense.

Junior Cael Shepley returned an interception 18 yards for a touchdown and had five tackles. He also hauled in two passes for 22 yards.

Senior Grant Borts had four tackles, junior Devin Fredregill added 3 1/2 tackles and one sack and senior Nate McMinamen chipped in 3 1/2 tackles.

The Bolts (1-0) stay home to face Melcher-Dallas (0-1) at 7 p.m. on Friday in Baxter.