Balanced attack propels Dumas over Canyon in key district matchup

In a matchup where both teams desperately needed a win to stay afloat in District 2-4A Division I play, the Dumas Demons found their stride in the second half, powering past the Canyon Eagles 37-29 on Friday night at Happy State Bank Stadium. Behind the steady leadership and all-around performance of quarterback Colton Mills, the Demons overcame early adversity to notch their first district victory of the season.

Entering the night, the two programs appeared evenly matched. Both teams were 4-2 overall and 0-1 in district play, each hoping to rebound from tough opening losses. What unfolded was a back-and-forth battle filled with explosive plays, momentum swings, and plenty of offense on both sides of the ball.

The Demons struck first when Mills connected with Blake Robinson on a two-yard touchdown pass, capped off by Christian Saldana’s PAT to make it 7-0. But Dumas’ early momentum was quickly erased when Canyon’s Dillon Hagood electrified the crowd with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Lane Burton’s extra point tied the game at 7-7.

Mills continued to set the tone, showing his dual-threat capabilities late in the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run that put Dumas back in front, 14-7. Yet Canyon’s offense wasn’t going away quietly. Early in the second quarter, Brox Hacker punched in a six-yard rushing score, and later found Bayler Schilling on a deep 56-yard touchdown strike to give the Eagles their first lead.

Just before halftime, Mills took control again, leading a methodical drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown run, tying the game 21-21 at the break.

The third quarter proved decisive. Both teams traded scores early, with Canyon converting a two-point try to hold a slim 29-28 advantage for much of the period. But when Dumas needed a big play, Mills delivered yet again, bursting free for a 24-yard touchdown run to reclaim the lead, 34-29, heading into the fourth.

From there, the Dumas defense tightened up, shutting out Canyon the rest of the way. Saldana added a late field goal to extend the lead and seal the 37-29 victory.

What made the win even more impressive was the fact that Dumas played without two starting offensive linemen. Still, the Demons’ offense showed remarkable balance, totaling 346 yards—171 on the ground and 175 through the air. Mills accounted for all five of the team’s touchdowns, completing 13 of 22 passes for two scores and rushing 17 times for 51 yards and three more. ZJ Jara added a strong performance on the ground with 92 yards rushing.

For Canyon, Hacker did all he could to keep the Eagles in it, throwing for 85 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 68 yards and another score. Schilling hauled in three passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Austin Turner paced the ground game with 125 yards and a score on 11 carries.

The win moves Dumas to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in district, while Canyon drops to 4-3 and 0-2. The Demons will look to build momentum next week when they host Hereford, while the Eagles aim to bounce back as they travel to Pampa in search of their first district win.

In a crucial midseason matchup, Dumas proved that grit, balance, and leadership—especially from their quarterback—can turn a must-win game into a statement victory.