Cordell Ridings got the first points on the board during the Montezuma-Cortez homecoming game against Gunnison on Friday.
On Gunnison’s first possession, Ridings jumped into the backfield and intercepted a quick flare pass intended for the running back. He continued down the open field for a 65-yard touchdown.
But it would be the only Panthers’ score on the evening in the 6-28 loss.
M-CHS struggled offensively against the Cowboys’ size. The Panthers were unable to get anything going in the run game, and Ridings was constantly under pressure when he dropped back to pass.
“They were blitzing with big guys coming through the middle,” said interim head coach Scott Conklin. “We’ve just got to keep working. That’s all we can do with these young guys on the line, just keep working.”
The Panthers defense kept them close for most of the game, with the score 6-14 at half. Tanner Derosiers led the team with 14 total tackles, and coming off an injury in his first game back, junior Zach McDonald swarmed Gunnison carriers, racking up 11 solo tackles.
M-CHS forced four Gunnison turnovers, recovering two fumbles and pulling down two interceptions. Ridings had the pick-six in the first quarter, and Baer had the other interception and two fumble recoveries.
His interception came in third quarter, when 6-foot-three, 200-pound Gunnison tight end Lane Mangum came across the middle and got popped by safety Vinny Conklin just as he was attempting to catch a pass. Conklin’s hit knocked the ball loose and into Baer’s hands.
Although the Panthers forced four Gunnison turnovers, they gave the ball back with three of their own. The Panthers held Gunnison scoreless after fumbling late in the second quarter, but their two interceptions led to points. One was returned 67 yards for a touchdown, and the other gave the Cowboys possession on the M-CHS 11-yard line, leading to a touchdown pass.
“Everybody played with heart and played hard,” Conklin said. “But we turned the ball over and gave them short fields, and it took us out of the game.”
The loss drops the Panthers to 1-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. They will look to regroup on Friday in a conference game in Pagosa Springs (1-4, 0-1).