ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Football team wraps up a two-game homestand for Homecoming weekend. The Grizzlies will look to win their fourth straight game as they host on the best teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
OPPONENT: Chadron State College Eagles (4-1, 4-1 RMAC)
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 - 1 p.m.
WHERE: Alamosa, Colo. - Rex Stadium
KICKOFF
The Adams State Grizzlies Football team is looking to keep its momentum going this weekend as they are riding a three-game win streak entering week six. The Grizzlies will have a tough task ahead of them as they host the Chadron State College Eagles. It is Homecoming weekend and the Grizzlies will look to secure their third straight home win
Entering week six, Adams State is now 3-2 after a second thrilling overtime road win last weekend inside Rex Stadium over the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. The Grizzlies downed the Skyhawks 48-42 in the 53rd annual Musket Game to earn their third straight win of the season. It is also the first career Musket Game win for first year Head Coach
Josh Blankenship at Adams State. In his first year of leading the Grizzlies, he has won both the Colorado Classic and Musket Game.
SERIES HISTORY
Last season, the Grizzlies struggled early against the Eagles and ultimately fell 73-26. The Grizzlies last defeated the Eagles in the 2016 at home on Homecoming, edging them to 31-30. In 2015, CSC took down Adams State 26-0 in Nebraska.
ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
Chad Hovasse continues to make history for Adams State Football. Despite the Grizzlies loss to the Cowboys, Hovasse pulled in career touchdown No. 27, passing Chris Perry for the all-time lead in program history. With the record in hand, Hovasse has expanded it to 32 and is on track to reach 40 by the season's end.
Hovasse already put together the second-best season in school history with 87 receptions last season. He led the conference in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns while putting himself tied for sixth in the conference in scoring behind five running backs and a kicker. This led the junior being named a nominee for the Harlon Hill Award for the best player in Division II.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Hovasse currently ranks in the top-five in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in a number of receiving categories including yards (560), touchdowns (7), AVG/G (112.0), and receptions (41). Giving the Grizzlies offense life is fellow senior receiver
Marquese Surrell and quarterback
Nick Rooney.
Surrell also ranks in the top-five in a number of categories. He has 531 receiving yards on 34 catches and five touchdowns. Surrell and Hovasse's success are also thanks in part to the solid play of Rooney. Rooney is coming off a 384 yard, five touchdown performance last week in the win over Fort Lewis. His 1,566 total passing yards (2nd) this year and 16 touchdowns (2nd) both rank in the top-three in the conference.
Adams State's ground attack has been led by
Tyree Harris this season. His 493 total rushing yards are fourth-most in the RMAC. He has seven touchdowns on the year which is also second most in the RMAC. Rooney is second in rushing on the team with 116 total rush yards.
Kendrick Igbinoba is third with 55 rush yards.
DEFENSIVE/SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK
Defensive back
Garrett Jackson continues to lead the way for the Grizzlies defense. He has also had some help from fellow defensive back
Sipa Leafa. Jackson currently leads Adams State with 52 tackles, with 33 of them being on a solo effort. He is second in the RMAC in total tackles, while his 33 solo tackles are atop the league. Jackson not only the led conference but all of Division II in tackles per game with more than a dozen per contest in 2017. He had 88 solo tackles last season in his 10 games, and despite having two less games than some this season.
Leafa is second behind Jackson, totaling 44 tackles, with 26 being solo. His total tackles are ninth in the conference and his 26 solo tackles are tied for fifth.
Isaia Rosten (31),
Donovan Robinson (20),
Adam Lucero (19),
Bryce Barnes (19),
Garrett Pemelton (16),
Corey Wright (15),
Braeden Meyer (14),
Leon Te'o (14),
Deon Mayers (13),
Sergio Mendoza (12), and
Nick Bundy (10) all have double-digit tackles. Jackson, Meyer, Wright, and Rosten all have a forced fumble on the year. Wright leads the way with two. Leafa, Robinson, and Barnes each have an interception on the year as well.
Special teams wise, the Grizzlies have one touchdown return this year thanks in part to
Keyon Thomas. He had an 82 yard kickoff return to the house against the Cowboys in week three. Surrell has been a key on special teams for Adams State. The senior is third in the RMAC in number of returns (15). He is second in average yard per return (26.5), return yards (397), and longest return (70 yards).
UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will hit the road next weekend. They will head to Rapid City, S.D. to take on South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Hardrockers.
