The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team picked up its second consecutive loss last week, this time falling to the Gunnison Cowboys 41-27 in Gunnison on Oct. 18.
A back-and-forth first quarter saw the Cowboys take a 14-12 lead over the Pirates.
The Pirates were able to get on the board first with a 37-yard rushing touchdown by Colton Lucero, but were unable to convert the extra-point attempt.
The Cowboys hit back on their next offensive possession with a 50-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra-point attempt put the Cowboys ahead 7-6.
The Pirates scored again on the following drive with a 75-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Creede Dozier. Another unsuccessful extra-point attempt left the score at 12-7 in favor of the Pirates.
The Cowboys were able to respond yet again, scoring on a 1-yard rushing touchdown just before the first quarter ended, putting the Cowboys back in the lead 14-12.
A scoreless second quarter for the Pirates and another rushing touchdown by the Cowboys saw Gunnison’s lead extend to 21-12.
That score would remain the same going into halftime.
The Pirates’ defense was able to come up with multiple stops, leading to a scoreless third quarter for the Cowboys.
Dozier scored from a 12-yard rushing touchdown that would cut the Cowboys’ lead down to 21-19 going into the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys were able to hit back early in the fourth quarter with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, extending their lead to 28-19.
An unsuccessful offensive drive by the Pirates followed, allowing the Cowboys to increase their lead again, this time to 34-19.
It wasn’t until the last minute when the Pirates were able to score again, with a 6-yard passing touchdown by Dozier. A successful two-point attempt from a reception by Lucero brought the Pirates within one score, trailing 34-27 with 53 seconds remaining in regulation.
Coach Nathan Morales explained the Pirates attempted an onside kick, but were unable to recover and allowed the Cowboys to return the kick for a touchdown, bringing the final score of the game to 41-27.
“I just think we didn’t play well. I gotta do better at getting us prepared to play a game,” Morales said.
Morales explained the Pirates suffered a couple of injuries, with Jayton Ross and Devin Gonzales both going down.
“They’re both key pieces to our defense and offense,” Morales said, explaining that Zander Lefthandbull and Kasen Limebrook stepped in for the two injured Pirates.
Morales commented that “the guys that came in and subbed … played well.”
Morales also explained that the Pirates had chances to come away with a win.
“We had plenty of opportunities to win the game; I just gotta make sure we’re prepared,” he said.
Morales mentioned the Pirates were unable to convert on two separate fourth-down-and-short scenarios “that we usually get,” and gave up two big plays early on that forced the Pirates to have to try and fight their way out of a hole.
“We just didn’t play well. We didn’t tackle well,” Morales added, noting that leads to other teams being able to put up points.
Morales took responsibility for the Pirates’ last two losses, saying, “We lost two games ... and I take full responsibility for ‘em.”
He mentioned the Pirates have dropped off in terms of being physical.
“We gotta just get back to executing and being physical like we had been. I feel like that dropped off, and that’s something I take responsibility for,” Morales said.
He noted the Pirates need to do a better job executing every play by swarming to the ball on defense and finishing blocks and runs on offense.
Morales noted a positive from the game against the Cowboys is that the Pirates were able to throw the ball well, saying it was “the best we threw the ball all year.”
With a positive display throwing the ball, Morales noted the Pirates are now more dynamic on offense combined with solid rushing attack.
“We just gotta play good defense,” he said.
The Pirates put up a total of 454 yards of offense on the night, with Dozier throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns, completing 13 out of 15 pass attempts.
Dozier also ran for a total of 74 yards and one touchdown on nine carries.
Lucero led the team in rushing yards, racking up 169 yards and one touchdown on 28 carriers.
Lucero also had four receptions for a total of 25 yards on the night.
Seth Zeigler ran for 11 yards on three carries, and had seven receptions for 94 yards.
Jaxten Schiel had three receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown.
The Pirates’ only turnover of the game came from a fumble lost by Dozier.
On the defensive side, the Pirates tallied a total of 35 solo tackles on the night, with Lucero leading the team with seven solo tackles.
Aven Cole recorded six solo tackles on the night.
Dozier came up with the Pirates’ only defensive takeaway on the night with one interception.
Noah Bellina was unsuccessful on two extra-point attempts, while Tommaso Nigro converted his only attempt.
The Pirates will play their final home game of the regular season tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 25, at Golden Peaks Stadium at 7 p.m. as they take on the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers.
“Our playoffs start now,” Morales said, explaining that the Pirates are currently in a playoff position, but that could change if they are not able to pick up any more wins.
Morales mentioned that the team will need to make a few adjustments with injuries and that there will be a few new starters for the game against the Panthers.
“We have good kids,” Morales said. “We just gotta get back to playing Pagosa Pirate football.”
The final game of the regular season is scheduled for Nov. 1 against the Alamosa Mean Moose in Alamosa at 7 p.m.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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