Prior to the final homecoming game of his high school career, Montezuma-Cortez High School running back Randy Haley adjusted his pads and laced up his cleats.
Then, over the next two-plus hours, the M-CHS star ran wild, rushing for 268 yards and six touchdowns as his team defeat Ignacio High School, 66-6, in Cortez on Sept. 19.
“It was fun,” said Haley. “I’m glad to have a good night on my last homecoming ever.”
Dominating nearly every facet of the game from the start, the Panthers set the tone early, scoring on their opening possession on a 57-yard touchdown run by Haley.
After forcing the Ignacio offense into a three-and-out on its subsequent possession, the M-CHS offense regained possession and scored again, thanks to a nifty 12-yard run around the left side by quarterback Jonathan Walck.
Leading 14-0 with 5:32 left in the first quarter, the Panthers suffered their only setback of the game when Ignacio quarterback Adison Jones picked up his own fumble heaved a pass to Chase Sanders for an 80-yard score.
M-CHS quickly regained control however, pulling ahead 28-6 by the end of the first quarter after a 12-yard touchdown run and an 11-yard touchdown run by Haley.
The Panthers then poured it on throughout the second quarter, pulling ahead 42-6 after a spectacular 80-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Cordell Ridings and a 7-yard touchdown run by Haley.
Keying both touchdown plays were large holes opened by the Panthers offensive line, which benefited from solid performances by Victor Perez, Dante Dennison, Kyle Kennell and others.
“We just held our ground,” said Perez of the line’s play. “We want to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Completely in control to begin the second half, the Panthers extended their lead to 56-6 on Haley’s sixth rushing touchdown of the game.
A 36-yard field goal by Ryan Gurney on the last play of the third quarter, followed by an 8-yard touchdown run by Andrew Finch closed out the Panthers scoring, while the M-CHS defense held strong.
Leading the Panthers defense was Noah Galyon, who had a team-high seven tackles and one interception.
“The defense did really well,” said Finch. “We focused throughout the game. We dropped into pass coverage and came up with some big hits.”
As students rushed the field after the game’s final buzzer, M-CHS head coach Casey Coulter took a moment to discuss the Panthers big night.
“We knew we could run the ball on (Ignacio),” said Coulter. “That’s going to be our bread and butter all year. Fortunately for us, we were much bigger, more physical and faster as a team.”
Thanks to their big win, the Panthers now stand at 3-1 on the season and will next play on the road against Gunnison on Sept. 26 in a critical league matchup.
Discussing the matchup, Coulter said that he expects Gunnison to be tough, yet believes the Panthers can win.
“(Gunnison’s) tailback is a special kid,” said Coulter. “They won the league last year. We’ll have to put a complete game together. I think we’re bigger and faster, but it doesn’t really matter if we don’t come to play.”