The West Elk Patriots finished the season with a 2-7 record after receiving a forfeit victory over the Udall Eagles, closing out head coach Ian Denton’s second year at the head of the team. 

The Patriots defeated Udall 48-0 in their first win of the season back in Week 2, and the team was preparing to get on the bus for the rematch when word came in that the Eagles would be unable to play.

Denton says the situation was disappointing, especially for the seniors who were looking forward to some closure to their season.

Looking back on the campaign, Denton says he saw the most growth in the maturity of his players. With several freshmen and sophomores stepping into expanded roles because of injuries, the younger players gained a better understanding of the speed and physicality of 8-Man football.

The Patriots will look to improve in 2027 as Denton enters his third year at the helm, following back-to-back 2-7 finishes. We’ll take a closer look at West Elk’s season in review next week.