Durango offense shines in romp over Rancho

Durango topped the 20-point mark only twice last season in going 1-9.

So, yes, there were plenty of smiles after Durango’s offensive performance in its season-opening 53-19 victory Friday night at Rancho.

The highlight of the impressive win was the Trailblazers’ 30-point second quarter, which turned a 7-0 lead into a 37-6 blowout by halftime.

“We knew we had the potential to score on offense,” Durango coach Gary Maki said. “However, we also knew we were able to shoot ourselves in the foot. Tonight, we played very well and ran the ball which controlled the game.”

Junior Julio Mora rushed for 205 yards and three scores, and Michael Mehling added 70 on eight carries.

“They (Mora and Mehling) are a good 1-2 punch,” Maki said. “I think they are unselfish players and complement each other very well. We have other weapons on offense, but these two are the workhorses.”

The Trailblazers outgained the Rams 379-176 and held Durango to 5 yards rushing. Two of Rancho’s biggest plays came through the air — a 67-yard screen pass from William Goose-Garrdet to Mike Cruz and a 40-yard pass from Goose-Garrdet to Harvey Yarbrough late in the third quarter.

Mora had touchdown runs of 1 yard, 1 yard and 5 yards, and Mehling added a 10-yard score. Michael Neighbors caught two touchdown passes, and Eric Wathogoma took an interception 54 yards for another score.