The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team shook up the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers in their matchup on Friday, Oct. 25.
The Pirates defeated the Panthers 42-21, giving Montezuma-Cortez its second loss of the season and first league loss of the year.
Pagosa now boasts an overall record of 5-3, including a league mark of 2-2, which puts them in fourth place of the Intermountain League (IML) and 13th in state’s 2A division, according to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA).
The Panthers remain atop the IML with an overall record of 6-2, including a league mark of 3-1.
“It’s always good to get a win. The kids played well,” coach Nathan Morales said.
The Pirates were led once again by running back Colton Lucero, who rushed for a total of 251 yards and four touchdowns off of 25 attempts on the night.
Seth Ziegler also had a stand-out performance, rushing for a single-game season high of 122 yards on 18 carries. Zeigler also tallied one rushing touchdown on the night, along with three receptions for 33 yards.
“He’s our big physical runner,” Morales said, explaining he has been wanting to get Zeigler more carries, but with injuries in other positions throughout the season, it’s been difficult to find ways for Zeigler to be more active offensively.
Morales noted that Zeigler may be a big part of the Pirates’ offense going forward.
“It was good to be able to get him in there,” Morales said of Zeigler.
The Pirates scored within the first minute of the game after receiving the ball and setting up Lucero for a 50-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0.
The Pirates were able to come up with a couple of consecutive defensive stops and were able to extend their lead to 14-0, with Lucero finding the end zone again with a 1-yard touchdown rush.
The Panthers were able to return the following kickoff for an 85-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 14-7.
The Panthers were able to then tie the game at 14-14 with a 32-yard touchdown rush in the last minute of the first quarter.
Pagosa’s defense held off the Panthers in the second quarter, not giving up any points, allowing the offense to extend the lead once again.
The Pirates were able to find the end zone twice in the second quarter with a 3-yard touchdown rush and a 26-yard touchdown rush, each by Lucero.
The Pirates would continue to hold off the Panthers as Montezuma-Cortez was unable to score any points in the third quarter.
A 1-yard rushing touchdown from Zeigler put the Pirates up by three scores as the game headed to the fourth quarter, with Pagosa up 35-14.
The Pirates would score first in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Alex Pacheco, extending their lead to 42-14 with just over eight minutes remaining.
The Panthers were able to hit back one more time after a long kickoff return set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown for Montezuma-Cortez.
Morales spoke about the Pirates’ defensive performance, saying, “All 11 played really well ... I think the new guys that got in there played well.”
He mentioned there were a couple of different starters and players that rotated in on defense last week.
Morales also spoke about the Pirates’ offense, noting Creede Dozier, Zeigler and Lucero each “ran the ball really well.”
Morales praised the Pirates’ offensive line, commenting on the senior leadership the team has in those roles.
“The o-line did a fabulous job,” he said. “They got some good senior leadership on the o-line with Aven Cole and Jesus Serratos and Davian Coss.”
Morales also mentioned the performances from tight ends Zeigler and Bode Hubbard, mentioning they “did a good job also.”
Another important aspect in the Pirates’ success rushing the ball that Morales noted was that the Pirates’ receivers did a good job of finishing blocks downfield.
Morales explained that most of the Panthers’ yards came from big returns and other special teams plays, noting the Panthers converted multiple fake punt attempts on the night.
“For the most part, we played all four quarters and took care of business, and that’s what matters,” Morales said.
He explained that special teams need to “swarm the ball, like defense,” and stay focused in order to not give up big special teams plays.
“Just coaching,” Morales added, explaining that he needs to make sure the Pirates are coached up in those aspects.
Overall, Morales was pleased with the way the Pirates performed, noting they improved from their performance the week prior.
“I thought we did a better job of swarming to the ball on defense and being physical, like we had earlier in the year,” he said.
The Pirates ended the night with a total of 570 yards on offense.
Dozier threw for 33 yards, completing three out of six pass attempts, and rushed for a total of 137 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
Colby Ross had one rushing attempt for 1 yard and Pacheco rushed for 26 total yards and one touchdown on seven carries.
The Pirates’ defense forced two turnovers, with one fumble recovery by Jaxten Schiel and one interception by Kasen Limebrook.
Lucero led the team in solo tackles on the night, tallying four solo tackles.
Gavin Carter converted six out six extra-point attempts.
The Pirates’ final regular-season game will take place tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 1, as the team heads to Alamosa to take on the Mean Moose at 7 p.m.
Alamosa enters the match up also with an overall record of 5-3, including a league mark of 3-1, which puts them in second place in the IML.
The mean Moose are currently ranked 15th, according to the Seeding and Selection Index.
The Pirates currently sit in a playoff spot heading into tomorrow’s matchup, but Morales explained the team is not focusing on possible playoff scenarios.
He mentioned the Pirates are focusing on controlling what they can, which is going out and “executing against Alamosa.”
He added, “We gotta control what we can control and not worry about things that are out of our control.”
Morales also mentioned the Pirates’ have continued to get better and improve every week throughout the season.
“I think we’ve gotten better,” he said, noting the team has dealt with some adversity through injuries over the course of the season.
He added, “I think we’re playing well. I think we’ve played well enough to win every game.”
Morales also spoke about some of the close games the Pirates have been in this season.
“I gotta make sure to put us in the spots where we come out with those, and that’s that,” he said. “The kids have played well enough to win every game.”
State playoff brackets are due to be seeded and released on Sunday, Nov. 3, according to CHSAA.
The 2A division will feature a 16-team single-elimination bracket.
The 2A state championship game will take place on Nov. 30 at Colorado State University-Pueblo Thunderbowl Stadium.
clayton@pagosasun.com
