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Hayden snuffs Soroco in 20-Mile Tussle rivalry football game

Hayden hosted its homecoming football game against Soroco Friday night, Oct. 18, 2024. The Tigers managed a 60-20 victory in the game to advance to 3-4 on the season.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today

Fans packed the stands in Hayden for the 20-Mile Tussle — the Routt County rivalry football game — on Friday night.

The game, famously played between the Hayden Tigers and Soroco Rams, was played under a homecoming setting for Hayden, who defeated Soroco 60-20. 

Hayden senior Joe Harris was a major contributor to the victory including pulling in a 43-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. He attributed the energy of the Tigers team to the fans who came to cheer on the hometown team. He said the Tigers focused on dialing in offensively for the game to help close out the season in a strong way. 



“I didn’t realize how many people we had until I looked up one play and saw our stands were full,” Harris said. “That was the first time I’ve ever seen that in the four years I’ve played high school football. That was awesome, it helped a lot and a lot of us noticed.” 

The Tigers offense was rolling to begin the game including 16 unanswered points to start. Sophomore quarterback Peyton Johnson was credited for five touchdowns in the game — three on the ground and two in the air. 



Hayden managed 46 points in the first half and a Danek Demorat pick-six sealed the game in the fourth quarter to solidify the Tigers victory. Hayden now sits 3-4 on the season with an even 2-2 record in league play. 

The Rams showed immense improvement in the game, creating gaps for rushing attempts and finding open receivers down the field in the passing game. Defensively, Soroco also managed to force fourth downs and collected many tackles for loss throughout the game. 

Soroco quarterback Joseph Cordova had two touchdown passes and one 43 yard rush into the house as well. Both passes went to sophomore receiver Brayden Dudley who amassed nearly 200 yards receiving in the game. 

Rams head coach Casey Hill said the team is playing harder each game and refuses to quit. Soroco is hungry to earn its first win of the season despite sitting on an 0-7 record to this point. 

“Every week the opponents have no idea what is coming because we are getting better and better,” Hill said. “We are starting to play to our strengths and the guys are starting to show up. It is fun and makes games exciting.” 

The Rams close the regular season with back-to-back home games. The first is against Lake County on Friday before the Rams close the season with their homecoming game on Nov. 1. 

Hayden looks to build off its victory and take the final two games of the season on the road against Vail Christian on Friday night and then at home against West Grand on Nov. 1. 

“Momentum is probably the best way to describe it,” Hayden head coach Matt Linsacum said. “We have had a couple of tough games, we’ve got some injuries that have plagued us and as we’re rotating young guys in, half of our starting lineup recently has been sophomores… This was huge to get our guys back on track for these next couple games which will be big league games for us.” 

Soroco 20, Hayden 60
S:  6   0   6  8
H: 24 22  8  6

Hayden junior Elijah Gioia tackles Soroco quarterback Joseph Cordova during the Tigers’ Homecoming football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden senior Joe Harris reels in a deep pass down the right sideline for a touchdown during a football game against Soroco on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco quarterback Joseph Cordova passes downfield during a football game against Hayden on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden junior Danek Demorat finds a gap for a big rushing gain during a football game against Soroco on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco freshman Cavit Gregory runs the ball for the Rams during a football game against Hayden on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco’s Cavit Gregory tackles Ethan Silva from Hayden during a football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Joseph Cordova breaks the ensuing tackle of a Hayden defender for a big rushing gain during a Soroco football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden quarterback Peyton Johnson finds the end zone for a Tiger touchdown during a football game against Soroco on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden sophomore Carson Campbell runs the ball to the left side of the field during a football game against Soroco on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco senior James Delto gets a tackle for loss on Hayden running back Jarrett Davis during a football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Cavit Gregory charges down field during a Soroco football game against Hayden on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco wide receiver Brayden Dudley pulls in a pass down field for a 70 yard touchdown during a football game against Hayden on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden freshman Jarrett Davis runs the ball down field during a football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Hayden’s Danek Demorat runs the ball during a football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Jarrett Davis keeps a run alive by sticking his hand in the ground for stability during a Hayden football game against Soroco on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today
Soroco’s Brayden Dudley is tripped up by a Hayden defender during a football game on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
Tom Skulski/Steamboat Pilot & Today

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