The Montezuma-Cortez junior varsity football team won its season-opener against Ignacio on Monday, 12-6.
After freshman Cole Herrmann scored on a quarterback sneak in the first half, both defenses locked down and the game remained at 6-0 in favor of the Panthers until late in the third quarter.
Then, facing fourth down and 21 from their own 26 yard-line, Ignacio came out in punt formation.
Bobbling the snap, the Ignacio punter attempted to escape, but freshman Matt Broughton flung him to the ground, popping the ball loose.
Cordell Baer quickly swooped in to scoop up the loose ball and waltzed into the end zone to give the Panthers a 12-0 lead.
Ignacio followed the score with a long drive and touchdown of their own to cut it to 12-6, but the Panthers defense prevailed.
With two possessions in the final six minutes, Ignacio was unable to convert a first down against the swarming Panthers defense, turning it over on downs twice.
The Panthers were then able to kneel and run out the clock, securing a 12-6 victory in their first game.