Steamboat Springs — According to Hayden football coach Ryan Wilkie, the Tigers’ game Saturday against Justice in Boulder was every bit as ugly as the first games of the season, both blowout losses. But this time, at least, the game ended with a 36-14 win for Hayden, its first of the season.

“We did some good things, but our youth showed,” Wilkie said. “I think if you ask the kids, very few of them were satisfied. We know we could have played a lot better.”

Coming off a bye week, Hayden wasn’t sharp out of the gate. Justice returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown; then, the Tigers fumbled the ball on their first offensive play.

But, despite 16 penalties for 150 yards, Hayden still racked up more than 200 yards rushing and had a pair of 30-yard touchdown passes.

“It was good to get a win, but we definitely have a lot of work to do,” Wilkie said. “Played two seniors today, and when you are that young, it shows.”

Hayden (1-2) will play at Rangely on Friday to open league play. The Tigers return home the following week against West Grand. Justice fell to 0-4 with the loss.

Soroco volleyball loses Friday; Hayden volleyball wins Saturday

The Soroco High School volleyball team lost for only the third time this season, falling 3-0 Friday at West Grand. Set scores were 25-16, 25-18, 25-23.

The Rams fell behind in the first two sets, and West Grand used big runs to put them away.

“The girls played better than what they have played in the past couple of weeks,” Soroco coach Jeannie Jo Logan wrote in an email, “but it wasn’t good enough to top West Grand.”

Soroco saved its best for the third set, but after pulling even at 18-18, the Rams couldn’t carry that momentum any further.

“They have a quick offense that wore the girls out,” Logan said. “We still have a lot of season left, and we know where we want to go with it. We have to play tough from here on out and believe in ourselves.”

Soroco volleyball (6-3) next hosts Vail Christian on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the Hayden volleyball team earned its first win of the season, defeating De Beque, 3-1. The Tigers, now 1-7, next play at Soroco on Friday. Soroco defeated Hayden in their first meeting, 3-0, on Sept. 11.

To reach Austin Colbert, call 970-871-4204, email acolbert@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Austin_Colbert