The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team evened out its record on Saturday, Sept. 26, taking down the Basalt Longhorns by a score of 21-16.
The Pirates now own a 3-3 overall record, including a 2-1 record in the Western Slope League, and are the No. 15-ranked team in the state’s 2A division.
“I thought the defense played really well,” coach Nathan Morales said of the Pirates’ performance against Basalt.
The first quarter ended scoreless, with teams trading possession of the ball.
The Pirates forced the Longhorns to punt on their first possession, and then put together an eight-minute drive that ended in a turnover on downs.
Pagosa opened up the scoring late in the second quarter after another offensive possession taking up the majority of the quarter.
Pirate running back Alex Pacheco broke through with a 4-yard touchdown rush. A successful extra-point attempt put the Pirates up 7-0 with about two and half minutes remaining in the first half.
The Longhorns were then able to piece together a scoring drive to tie the game a 7-7 with a 13-yard touchdown pass just before halftime.
Morales commented that the Longhorns’ touchdown before halftime was his fault.
“That’s on me,” he said, explaining that he was taking responsibility for letting Basalt score before halftime.
Morales spoke highly of the Pirates’ attitude going into the second half.
“They picked me up at halftime and they played a hell of a second half,” he said, noting that the Pirates played a complete four-quarter game. “And I can’t be more proud of this team.”
Morales also noted that the Pirates were able to come up with some big momentum-saving plays throughout the game.
Basalt was in the red zone looking to add to their score before halftime when Colby Ross was able to come down with an interception off of a tipped ball, halting the Longhorns’ drive.
Morales commended Ross’ performance, saying that’s “Colby Ross doing Colby Ross things.”
Morales also explained that Ross had returned from injury that week and was playing with “club wrist”.
“He does good stuff for us,” Morales said of Ross.
The Pirates received the ball to start the second half and were able to drive down the field and capitalize with a 7-yard touchdown rush by quarterback Kasen Limebrook, putting the Pirates ahead 14-7.
Later in the third quarter the Pirates were backed up on their own goal line and would give up a safety, bringing the score to 14-9 entering the fourth quarter.
More defensive stops from both teams continued until the Pirates were able to add to their lead after a long drive that ended with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Limebrook.
The Pirates led 21-9 with about six minutes left in the game.
Basalt was able to score off a 31-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute to go, pulling within one score of the Pirates trailing 21-16.
Basalt attempted an onside kick which was recovered by the Pirates, sealing the victory.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Morales said.
He mentioned he was “proud of the O-line,” noting the Pirates ran for “quite a few yards” on the day.
Pagosa racked up a total of 341 yards of offense, with two ball carriers rushing for more than 100 yards on the day.
Hudson Mazur led the Pirates with 153 rushing yards and on 15 carries, followed by Gage Sams with 112 yards on 10 carries.
Mazur also converted three extra-point attempts.
Pacheco tallied 64 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, and Limebrook had a total of 12 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Morales noted that the Pirates’ success in the run game was due to a “collective effort,” starting with the offensive line paired with ball carries that “ran hard.”
“They played really well,” Morales said, adding, “I’m super proud of them.”
Morales also spoke about Limebrook’s impact, explaining that he’s “been our vocal leader.”
Morales mentioned Limebrook “knows the game of football” and that “he does a lot for us.”
The Pirates’ defense forced multiple turnovers on downs throughout the day, along with Ross’ interception.
“Our secondary did a good job today,” Morales said, noting multiple pass plays that were broken up by the Pirate defensive backs.
He described the last touchdown scored by Basalt in the fourth quarter as a “teachable moment,” noting the Pirates hadn’t been in many situations like that yet this season.
Janzen Tuggle-Rapp led the Pirates with five solo tackles, followed by Vinny Fish, Sams and Mazur, who each had four solo tackles.
Morales commended multiple Pirates for their defensive performances, specifically noting that “[Reese] Jenkins played well,” along with Jimmy Elledge and Ethon Kinkaed.
“It was a four-quarter grind,” he added.
Morales also spoke about how the Pirates have been focused on being a football family this season and continuing to work hard for each other.
“I love our locker room, the way we’re staying together no matter what,” he said. “They just continue to grind … it’s our culture as a football program, and we’re gonna continue that.”
The Pirates are currently in their bye week, with their next game scheduled for Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. in Aspen against the Aspen Skiers.
The Skiers are currently the No. 9-ranked team in the state with a 3-2 overall record. They sit in fifth place of the Western Slope League.
The Pirates are currently second in the league, behind first-place Delta.
When asked about how the Pirates are planning to use their bye week, Morales said, “It’s good, I like the mid-season bye week,” explaining that it gives the team time to rest and heal up “to be the best football team that we can at the end of the year.”
Morales explained that the Pirates will still have work to do over the bye week, but that they will be able to focus more on themselves rather than having to prepare for a specific opponent.
“We can iron out some things on ourselves,” he said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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