The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team’s season came to an end last Saturday, Nov. 7, losing its second-round playoff matchup against the defending state champion Wellington Eagles.
In the midst of historic flooding happening in Pagosa Springs, the Pirates made back-to-back journeys to the Front Range and northern Colorado to compete in this year’s playoffs.
After defeating the Banning Lewis Academy Stallions on Oct. 31 in Colorado Springs, the Pirates made it back home before flooding swept through the area on Nov. 1 and 2.
That win set up the Pirates second-round matchup against the Wellington Eagles in Wellington.
The team was able to make it up to Wellington for Saturday’s matchup, but only had a couple of days of practice between playoff matchups.
The Pirates lost to the defending state champions 54-0.
The Pirates put up a total of 40 yards on offense on the night, with Gage Sams racking up 15 yards on nine carries.
Alex Pacheco ran for a total of 2 yards on nine carries, Hudson Mazur put up 14 yards on six carries, and Kasen Limebrook ran for 9 yards on five carries.
Limebrook was unsuccessful on all three of his pass attempts on the night.
Mazur led the Pirates on defense with 10 solo tackles, followed by Colby Ross with six.
Vinny Fish and Reese Jenkins each had four solo tackles on the night.
“With everything we had going on … it was challenging,” coach Nathan Morales said.
He explained how the team, and himself, have to learn how to “work through those things,” mentioning it’s important to focus on controlling the “controllables.”
“We never know where life’s gonna take us, but we just gotta try to persevere through those things and not let it be a distraction,” he said.
Morales praised the Pirates’ effort against the Eagles, noting he thought they played well for only being able to get two practices in before the game.
Archuleta School District (ASD) was forced to close school from Nov. 2 through Nov. 9 due to flooding in the area.
“They’re a really good football team, and we just ran into them at the wrong time,” Morales said of the Eagles.
Morales also mentioned there are no excuses and that, “no matter what’s going on in our lives, we have to finish.”
He expressed how proud he is of the Pirates and their dedication to one another throughout the whole season.
He explained that he was proud of the team as a whole for “how close they are as a group,” noting, “that’s what makes it fun” — having an entire squad focused on the same goal and enjoying being around each other.
Morales noted that all of the Pirates were safe and healthy after the flooding events, and that this year’s experiences have provided learning opportunities going forward.
He also spoke highly of the five seniors who finished the season with the Pirates this year, saying he is “super proud of our seniors.”
He explained that the team “leaned” on those seniors all year long.
“I’m proud of those five men, and I think they’re gonna go on to do great things,” he said.
Those five seniors are Hudson Mazur, Jimmy Elledge, Jerry Su, Braylon Landry and Zander Lefthandbull.
“Those are guys that we’ll talk about in the future,” Morales said, noting that they are a part of a long line of seniors before them who have set the standard for Pirate football.
“We’re definitely gonna miss those guys,” he said, noting those are “guys that up-and-coming players want to be like.”
Morales mentioned that Su served as a player/manager, assisting the team with getting game-time drone video footage, and would also come in for special teams plays.
In a statement shared with The SUN, Morales wrote of the five seniors, “You finished what you started, and that says a lot about who you are. We’re going to miss you. Thank you for everything you give this program.”
Morales also spoke about the team’s first-round playoff matchup against the Banning Lewis Academy Stallions, in which the Pirates won by a score of 33-13.
“[I’m] proud of the way they came together,” Morales said of the Pirates, noting that Pagosa Springs was the only “underdog” in terms of rankings to win in the first round.
Morales mentioned the Pirates game against Coal Ridge being canceled effected their potential playoff path, explaining that if the Pirates were able to play that last regular-season game against Coal Ridge, that likely would’ve affected playoff seeding.
He went on to express gratitude to the Pagosa Springs community and mentioned that the Pirate football program can be successful.
“I believe in our team, and I believe in our community and our school,” he said.
Morales explained the Pirates competed in the 2A Western Slope League this year, calling it one of the toughest leagues in 2A football.
He relayed that five teams from the league made the playoffs, with four of those teams poised to make a deep playoff run this year.
“I thought we were playing well,” Morales said of the Pirates’ performances at the end of the season, adding, “We’re in a league that’s gonna make us better, for sure, and we gotta play high-level football all year.”
Morales commented that it was good to get a playoff win this year, noting again that the Pirates could’ve had a very different playoff path.
“I gotta make sure we’re playing really good football early on, and we’re finishing strong also, and I think that’ll lead to more post-season success going forward,” Morales said.
Morales also spoke about how the upcoming season starts now, indicating he’s excited for what is in store for next year.
He noted the Pirates have a big junior and freshman class, along with good athletes in the sophomore class.
“We’re gonna work hard,” Morales said. “That way we start and end on a higher note.”
Morales also thanked and praised an extensive list of community members, school district staff, businesses, parents, administrators and coaches that he credits for making the Pirates football season happen.
Morales expressed thanks to his assistant coaches Jordan Caler, Ryan Plake, Davian Coss and Evan Raymond, along with “Coach Vando.”
Morales mentioned numerous parents and community members involved in coordinating team gatherings and acquiring team equipment.
He expressed thanks to Wendy and Jeff Sams, Stewart Bellina, Renae Smith, Belinda Hewitt, Brandi Campbell, Jylissa Alonzo, Laura Jenkins, Cristi and Ben Dozier, and Mellisa Slaybaugh.
Morales also thanked the Pirate stat crew, praising the work of Butch Mackey, Michael Martinez and Ryan Martinez.
“We wouldn’t get all-state or all-league recognition without the stat crew,” he said.
Morales noted the ASD administration, noting work by Josh Sanchez, Jason Taylor and Curtis Nehring on the district’s facilities.
A special thanks was given to the team’s primary bus driver, Scott “Bobcat” Miller.
“Thank you for getting us everywhere we needed to go and getting us home safe, all those miles,” Morales wrote of Miller to The SUN.
“And to every family who sent snacks, fed the team, or helped out along the way: we saw it, and we appreciate it,” Morales wrote.
Morales also mentioned that Aubrie Limebrook organized “all of it,” from snacks and team meals to merchandise and volunteers.
“Without her, none of this happens,” Morales wrote.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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