SANFORD – Sanford High School’s Trason Gartrell ran for six touchdowns and threw for another as the fourth-ranked Mustangs defeated Las Animas 49-16 at the SHS field.

“We came out ready to play,” said Sanford coach Cody Reynolds. “The boys did what they had to do to get out to a fast start and that’s what carried us through the rest of the game.”

Reynolds also praised Gartrell’s performance.

“That’s a great performance,” Reynolds said. “But he’ll tell you right off the bat it was a team effort, and it truly was. It’s just the way they played us. It worked out he had the ball in his hand most of the time.”

“Everything was working,” Gartrell said. “All of our base stuff. It was a team effort. I couldn’t do it by myself.”

Sanford had the ball first and wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Gartrell went 56 yards for a touchdown. He also ran in the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

The Trojans looked as though they were going to score on their first possession as they drove to the Sanford 1-yard line. However, a false start backed them up and they eventually turned the ball over on downs.

J.D. Faucette then put the Mustangs onto the Trojans’ side of the field with a 62-yard run on Sanford’s next possession. Gartrell capped off the drive three plays later with a 15-yard run and Gartrell again made the two-point play for a 16-0 advantage.

Las Animas turned the ball over on downs at midfield they next time they had the ball. Gartrell made them pay with a 39-yard touchdown run four plays later. Bryce Keck made the extra point and Sanford led 23-0.

Faucette set up the next Mustang scoring drive as he recovered a fumble at the Trojans’ 46. Gartrell ran 15 yards for his fourth touchdown, but the kick was unsuccessful and Sanford led 29-0.

Las Animas got on the board on its next possession as Nicholas Duran ran 49 yards for a touchdown. Logan Servaes ran in the two-point conversion.

Sanford got one more touchdown before the half as Gartrell’s fifth touchdown was a 15-yard run. The two-point try was no good and the Mustangs led 35-8 at the intermission.

Colter Canty intercepted Duran to start the second half and Gartrell ran 62 yards for his sixth touchdown. Keck’s point-after was good and the lead grew to 42-8.

J.D. Faucette’s second fumble recovery set up the next Sanford scoring play. This time Gartrell used his arm and completed a 39-yard scoring strike to Canty. Keck kicked in the point-after for a 49-8 advantage.

The rest of the game was played under a running clock.

A Sanford turnover gave the Trojans possession at the Mustangs’ 1, and Servaes ran in the touchdown on the next play. Orion Martinez threw to Sam Deatherage for two points to conclude the scoring.

Las Animas attempted one last scoring drive but ran out of time.

Sanford gained 417 yards of total offense with 353 coming on the ground. Gartrell gained 258 yards on 14 carries, followed by J.D. Faucette with 96 yards on 10 carries.

Gartrell completed both of his pass attempts for 64 yards. Canty had both receptions.

Las Animas had 298 total yards – 183 rushing and 115 passing. Duran ran for 11 yards on 13 carries and completed two of seven passes for 53 yards. Ethan Baca completed two of three passes for 62 yards. Jerome Ethridge was the leading receiver with two catches for 53 yards.

Sanford (9-1) will host fifth-ranked Dayspring Christian Academy in the state quarterfinals on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

“There are no easy games once you get to the playoffs,” coach Reynolds said. “This won’t be any different.”

Sanford 49, Las Animas 16

Las Animas 0 8 0 8 – 16

Sanford 16 19 14 0 – 49

First quarter

S – Gartrell 56 run (Gartrell run), 9:11

S – Gartrell 15 run (Gartrell run), 1:11

Second quarter

S – Gartrell 39 run (Keck kick), 8:53

S – Gartrell 15 run (kick failed), 4:32

LA – Duran 49 run (Servaes run), 2:39

S – Gartrell 15 run (run failed), 1:07

Third quarter

S – Gartrell 62 run (Keck kick), 9:14

S – Canty 39 pass from Gartrell (Keck kick), 6:33

Fourth quarter

LA – Servaes 1 run (Deatherage pass from Martinez), 7:53