The quest for the Savage football to repeat, for the third straight year, as league champions has begun.



The season and home opener of the year was Sept. 3, where the Savages took on the Mustangs of Manitou Springs. Lamar and Manitou fought hard to the last play, which was a Mustang pass to the end zone that fell incomplete as the time ran out. The final score was 20-17.



A couple of the key plays in the game belonged to senior Will McLean. McLean’s big interception and kick return were vital to the Savage’s first victory. “I felt excited,” McLean said. “My adrenaline was pumping.” Even though the game went down to the last play, “ I was never scared,” McLean said.



“We were able to win despite not playing to our potential,” Head coach Jason Tice said of the opener.



The second game of the year against Colorado Springs Christian was another nail-biter resulting with a loss to the Lions, 20-18. The Savages had their chances to win the game, however the first extra point was missed, bouncing of the right post of the field goal, and was followed by two failed two point conversions. Also, the Savages had the ball in Lion territory towards the end of the game but came up a few feet short of a pass completion that would have kept their hopes alive. “It was very disappointing, I expect more (from the team).” Tice said “There was no improvement from the first game to the second game. We digressed.”



Next up against the Savages was the No. 10 ranked Salida Spartans. The Savages needed a win in response to their loss to the Lions. The Savages controlled the game beating the Spartans, 28-14. The Savages used a balanced attack compiling 210 yards passing and 225 yards running. “We played much better than we did against CSCS,” Tice said. “We executed (plays) more consistently and played team-oriented football.”



Putting their loss to the Lions behind them, the Savages are looking forward to the rest of the year. “We have a strong defense, explosive special teams and have the potential to score on offense,” Tice said.



McLean agreed with Tice. “I think we need to get the offensive bugs out,” he said. “Then we’ll dominate.” Tice also thinks the offense needs to be more consistent to become the same team that won the back-to-back league titles.



The Savages will be hoping to dominate the Trinidad Miners for this year’s homecoming game. “(Trinidad) has a strong defensive team.” Tice said. “The teams will have interesting match ups. To win the game Tice said the Savages need to take care of the ball and control the clock.



“We have as mush potential to go as far as any other team I have ever coached,” Tice said.