ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Grizzlies Football kicks off their 2018 home slate this weekend as they play host to the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets. After two straight road contests, the Grizzlies will look to get their campaign at Rex Stadium started with a win. Kickoff against the Yellow Jackets is set for 1 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 15.
KICKOFF
Entering week three, Adams State is 0-2 after falling to Colorado School of Mines, 49-7, and New Mexico Highlands, 65-37. The offense came to life in the Grizzlies second game game, setting the stage for what can be an exciting home opener against Black Hills State.
SERIES HISTORY
Adams State and Black Hills State have short history having only met seven times. The Grizzlies lead the series 5-2, but the Yellow Jackets have the the edge coming in as they have won the last two matchups.
Overall, expect this match to be a close one. In five of the seven meetings, the game has come down 10 or less points. Last season, the Yellow Jackets and Grizzlies needed two overtimes before a winner was determined. The Yellow Jackets held on for the win, 47-41.
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 had, Hovasse has a chance to expand it.
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 (196), touchdowns (2), AVG/G (98.0). Looking to help spark more life into the Grizzlies offense is fellow senior receiver
Marquese Surrell.
Surrell was another standout receiver last year, ranking third in the RMAC in receptions per game and third in yards per game. He caught 10 touchdowns and was a large part of the kickoff return game with 48 returns. So far this season he has six receptions for 166 yards, but is still looking for his first touchdown of the 2018 campaign.
Adams State ground attack has been led by
Tyree Harris the last two games. The senior has totaled 64 yards in two games on 18 touches. He has one touchdown on the year, with his longest run being 11 yards.
Isaiah Brown is second in rushing on the team with 45 total rush yards.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Defensive back
Garrett Jackson leads the way for the Grizzlies defense. He has also had some help from fellow defensive back
Sipa Leafa. Jackson not only the led conference but all of Division II in tackles per game with more than a dozen per contest. He had 88 solo tackles last season in his 10 games, and despite having two less games than some this season. He currently leads Adams State with 22 tackles, with 15 of them being on a solo effort. He is fifth in the RMAC in total tackles, while his 15 solo tackles are tops.
Leafa is not far behind Jackson, totaling 20 tackles, with 11 being solo. His total tackles are eighth in the conference and his 11 solo tackles are tied for fourth. Linebacker
Adam Lucero is the only other Grizzly with double-digit tackles with 10. Jackson and
Braeden Meyer both have a forced fumble on the year.
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 last week against the Cowboys. Surrell has been a key on special teams for Adams State. The senior leads the RMAC in return yards (240), number of returns (8), and is second in average yard per return (30.0).
UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will be back on the road next weekend. They will travel to Gunnison, Colo. as they will take Western State Colorado in the annual Colorado Classic. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. against the Mountaineers
