The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team continued its winning streak last week, picking up another Intermountain League (IML) victory, defeating the Gunnison Cowboys 49-19 at home on Friday, Oct. 17.
With the win, the Pirates now boast an overall record of 4-3, including a league mark of 3-0, which puts them in second place in the IML and 22nd in the state’s 2A division.
“They just keep getting better, and that’s all that you ask,” coach Nathan Morales said of the Pirates, explaining the team has been working hard in practice over the past few weeks.
The Pirates have outscored their past three opponents 161-29, picking up wins against Salida and Bayfield on the way.
According to stats entered into Max Preps and shared with The SUN, the Pirates opened up the scoring on the night on the about halfway through the first quarter as Colton Lucero capped off the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush.
Lucero would lead the Pirates in rushing on the night, racking up a total of 132 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
On the following offensive drive for the Pirates, Creede Dozier was able to score off a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Dozier ended the night with a total of -5 rushing yards and the one touchdown on six carries, and completed his only passing attempt on the night for 14 yards.
With two failed extra-point attempts in the first quarter, the Pirates took a 12-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
Hudson Mazur was able to get on the board next for the Pirates, rushing for a 33-yard touchdown at the beginning of the second quarter.
Mazur put up a total of 77 yards and the one touchdown on a total of three carries. He also hauled in the Pirates’ only passing attempt on the night, picking up 14 yards.
On the following offensive possession, the Pirates converted a 30-yard field goal by Gavin Carter, who converted four out of six extra-point attempts on the night.
The Pirates were able to get on the board two more times before the end of the first half, on a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Lucero and then a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dozier, bringing the score to 43-0 at halftime.
“Our pass coverage was really good,” Morales said, explaining the Pirates gave up some big passing plays early on in the season and noting that is “something we’ve worked really hard on” and have been able to come up with multiple interceptions over the past three games.
The Pirates picked up right where they left off in the start of the second half, with Lucero returning the opening half kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown.
The Cowboys were able to hit back a couple of times in the second half with a 9-yard rushing touchdown and a 12-yard passing touchdown, bringing the final score to 49-14.
Morales spoke highly of the Pirates’ defense, commenting, “I just thought we did a good job, tackling and getting to the football on defense.”
He also commented on Aidan Vega, who recorded a fumble recovery on the night, describing him as “a disruptor.”
“He’s doing a great job for us,” Morales said. “He’s a disruptor on defense and so is Jimmy Elledge.”
Morales also praised the Pirates’ defensive tackles, Zander Lefthandbull and Jerry Dean, saying, “They’re both athletic, strong kids.”
Morales commented on the Pirate linebackers, as well, noting they’re versatile in being able to cover the pass well and swarm to the ball.
Morales mentioned the Pirates made a few changes on the defensive side of things over the past few weeks, “and it’s paid off for the better.”
He also commented on the team’s seniors, noting they “will continue to lean on them,” and that a handful are either third- or fourth-year varsity starters, but also that “our young guys are doing a good job for us right now.”
The Pirate defense had multiple players with three solo tackles, but was led by Devin Gonzalez, who recorded a total of five tackles on the night.
The Pirates were able to come up with three takeaways throughout the game, a fumble recovery by Vega and interceptions by Dozier and Noah Bellina.
Dean also recorded the team’s only sack on the night, going for a loss of 8 yards.
On the offensive side, the Pirates racked up a total of 253 yards and five touchdowns.
Alex Pacheco ran for a total of 31 yards and one touchdown on six carries, and Gage Sams picked up a total of 8 yards on two carries.
This week the Pirates will travel to Cortez to take on the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
The Panthers currently sit in third place of the IML with an overall record of 4-3, including a league mark of 2-1. Their one league loss was a 40-0 defeat against Alamosa, who the Pirates have yet to play.
“We gotta do everything we can to get another league win this weekend,” Morales said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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