More Mora: junior running back helps Durango trounce Western to lock up second in Southwest

Julio Mora rushed for 163 yards on 19 carries, including four touchdowns, to lead visting Durango (7-2, 6-1 Southwest) over Western, 63-6.

Mora had TD runs of one, 10 and 15 yards in the second quarter to give Durango a commanding 42-6 lead at the half. The junior running back also scampered 17 yards for his final touchdown.

Chase Roberts threw three touchdown passes, including a 14-yard fade to Anthony Ramirez on Durango’s third play to open the scoring. Roberts’ other TD passes went to John Williams and Michael Mehling.

Mehling added a 14-yard rushing score in the first quarter.

Durango finished with only a single win last season, but have locked up the second seed in the Southwest this season.

Coach Gary Maki attributes the turnaround to more focus in the offseason.

“Our offseason weight program was very important,” Maki said. “And we made the kids commit to the team. We had a no excuses approach and or team strength really improved.”

Another reason for the team’s success this year has been the emergence of junior runnig back Mora, who led Class 4A in rushing entering this game.

“(Mora) is so coachable,” Maki said. “He is a great kid and worked really hard in the weight room this summer.”

Durango wraps up the season next week against Bonanza.

Western’s (1-7, 1-6) lone touchdown came from a Brian Mikol 94-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.