The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team claimed the Intermountain League (IML) title after defeating the Alamosa Mean Moose 24-21 on Friday, Oct. 31, at Golden Peaks Stadium.
“I thought they played well. They’ve been playing well the last four games before that, and they continue to play well,” coach Nathan Morales said of the Pirates.
He noted that the Pirates’ defense was able to swarm to the ball, tackle well, create turnovers “and did all those things that you’re supposed to to win games.”
Morales explained the Pirates were able to force a turnover on the opening kickoff by recovering a fumble, though the Pirates’ offense coughed it up just a few plays later.
He mentioned the message to the team was that they “gotta take care of the football” and focus on controlling the controllables.
According to stats entered into Max Preps and shared with The SUN, the Pirates were able to hold off the Mean Moose and get the ball back. They capped off their second offensive possession with a 1-yard touchdown run by Creede Dozier, putting the Pirates up 6-0 after a failed extra-point attempt.
Dozier totaled 2 yards and one touchdown on two carries on the night, with his one pass attempt resulting in an incompletion.
The Mean Moose were able to hit back with a rushing touchdown of their own on the following drive, taking a 7-6 lead into the second quarter.
On their second offensive possession of the second quarter, Pirate running back Colton Lucero broke free for a 48-yard touchdown rush, and following a successful two-point attempt, the Pirates retook the lead 14-7.
The Pirates’ defense kept Alamosa scoreless in the second quarter.
On the final play of the first half with just one second left on the clock, Hudson Mazur converted a 27-yard field goal to put the Pirates up 17-7 at halftime.
“We’ve been getting better and better as the year’s gone on,” Morales said. “Just knowing our assignments better.”
Alamosa opened the scoring in the second half with a 1-yard touchdown run that brought the score to 17-14 as the game entered the fourth quarter.
A 5-yard touchdown run by Mazur capped off the Pirates’ opening offensive drive of the quarter, extending their lead to 24-14 with under 10 minutes to play.
Alamosa then hit back on their following offensive possession with a 26-yard passing touchdown to bring them within one score at 24-21, but the Pirates’ offense was able to run the clock down under one minute, before fumbling and turning the ball over.
A failed Hail Mary attempt by Alamosa on the last play of the game saw the Pirates secure the victory, defeating the Mean Moose 24-21.
“I thought we all played well as a whole,” Morales said of the Pirates, noting they’re playing their best at the end of the season.
The Pirates’ offense put up a total of 238 yards on the night, with Lucero leading the team in rushing yards, racking up 175 yards and one touchdown on his 29 carries.
Mazur had eight carries on the night, going for a total of 47 yards and one touchdown, while Alex Pacheco carried the ball five times for a total of 12 yards.
Jeremiah Dean had two carries for a total of 2 yards on the night.
The Pirates’ defense forced two turnovers, with Pacheco coming up with one interception, which he returned for 62 yards, and Kasen Limebrook recording a fumble recovery.
Pacheco also led the Pirates in solo tackles on the night, recording six, followed by Mazur, who had five.
Aidan Vega recorded four solo tackles, while Dozier and Zander Lefthandbull each recorded three.
Lucero recorded the Pirates’ only tackle for loss on the night.
Alamosa was able to put up 350 yards of total offense, 204 passing and 146 rushing.
Morales commented that the Pirates have to continue getting better with both their pass and run defense as they prepare for their playoff game against the Elizabeth Cardinals.
“When you play a good team, you gotta take away one or the other,” Morales said in regard to defending a pass- or run-heavy offense, noting Alamosa was able to do a good job throwing the ball.
He also noted that in their first game against Elizabeth, the Cardinals were able to exploit the Pirates early with a couple of big passing plays.
Morales went on to mention that if the Pirates are able to create turnovers and win the turnover battle, that is more important than focusing on how many yards they allow the other team to gain.
Morales also commented on playing in front of a home crowd for the last time this season, saying, “It’s always fun playing in front of our home crowd.”
He mentioned that over the past four years he has been the head coach, every time the Pirates get to play at home they are backed by a large, supportive crowd.
“It’s fun knowing you have the community behind you,” he said.
When asked about winning the IML title, Morales indicated that it is a great accomplishment, but the bigger focus is that it simply means the team is winning its games.
“If you’re winning league titles, you’re winning games, and we want to win games. So, yeah, it’s a good thing ... but really it’s about being the best you can at the end, and I think we are that,” he said.
He explained that the Pirates have not digressed throughout the season as they’ve focused on getting better each week.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot better each and every game,” he said, noting there’s not much else to ask for, adding that it’s “great to win the league ‘cause that means you’re winning games.”
Playoffs
With the win, the Pirates boast an overall record of 6-3, including an undefeated league record of 5-0, putting them as the No. 13 team in the state’s 2A division and earning them a first-round playoff game against the No. 4 ranked Cardinals.
They’re a good football team,” Morales said of the Cardinals, noting there is a reason as to why they’re the No. 4-ranked team in the state.
“We gotta do all the little things right,” Morales said.
The Pirates squared off against the Cardinals once already this season on Sept. 26, in a game the Pirates lost 41-0. That was the last game the Pirates lost during the regular season.
“It’s gonna be a fun game,” Morales said, mentioning that with the teams facing each other for a second time this season, “it makes it for more of a chess match.”
The Pirates will travel to Elizabeth again to take on the Cardinals at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Cardinals are 7-2 on the season.
Morales also commented that the playoffs are essentially a new season and that the games before no longer matter.
“All that matters is how we play this game,” he said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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