Another football season is in the history books of Montezuma-Cortez High School.
Many questions lingered around a struggling program after a coaching change and the loss of some key 2010 seniors.
There was optimism at the beginning of the season but a new offensive system took time to adjust to. Then, the injury bug plagued an inexperienced Panthers squad. Starters Tallon Ralstin (quarterback), Destry Smith (fullback/linebacker) were lost for the season. Plus senior captain lineman Stephen Candelaria missed some of the year due to a concussion.
In the end, it all boiled down to another losing season. The Panthers concluded the 2011 campaign with a 33-13 home loss to Buena Vista on a chilly night at Panther Stadium.
My first season is over, but the year is not over, M-CHS coach Casey Coulter said. The kids that are still going to be rolling with us in the years to come, theyve got a whole different level of buying in. The 19 kids that stuck it out this season, which I have the utmost respect for, come Monday, were revamping. Those that want to join, can. Those that dont, will get left behind.
M-CHS (1-9, 0-6 2A Mountain League) saw promise from freshman quarterback Jonathan Walck. The signal caller gave the Panthers their first lead in the first quarter on a 6-yard quarterback keeper. Walck had runs of 10 and seven yards on the 73-yard drive. Connor McGees extra point was good and M-CHS led 7-6 at the 3:38 mark of the second quarter.
However, the Buena Vista Demons (6-3, 3-2 2A ML) answered with 14 points in the final 3:38 of the half to lead 20-7 at the break.
Buena Vista scored on their following 62-yard drive on a Dakota Johnson 2-yard run. The 2-point pass failed.
On the Panthers next drive, they rumbled into Demons territory behind running backs Tam Phan and Trenton Gustafson. Phan gained a first down, but fumbled at the Buena Vista 31 that was recovered by Nate Kohls.
The Demons cashed in on the turnover on the arm of their quarterback Cody Troudt, who connected with Josh Williams for a wide open 69-yard touchdown reception for Buena Vista. But Williams pushed off the defender and the score was negated. Williams would atone.
After Troudt completed 29- and-24-yard passes to Koby Close and Johnson, Williams grabbed his touchdown. The Demons receiver out jumped an M-CHS defender from 26 yards out as time expired in the second. Johnson scored on the 2-pointer to make it 20-7 at halftime.
Each team punted to open the third quarter. M-CHS punted again, thanks to Phan avoiding disaster. The snap went over his head and the senior ran back, grabbed the ball, evaded the rush and kicked the ball away to the Demons 41.
On the next play, Johnson ran up the middle 59 yards for his second touchdown. Hellers point after attempt put Buena Vista up 27-7.
Gustafson responded for the Panthers. On second-and long, the 6-foot-1 junior stormed up the middle untouched 71 yards for a touchdown. McGees PAT was blocked, but it was just 27-13. Thats how the score held into the fourth quarter after Buena Vistas Hayden Collins half back pass was intercepted by Panthers freshman Tyler Hageman to end the frame.
Buena Vista tacked another six on the board when Close took a direct snap three yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed, because of a fumbled snap, in what resulted in the final outcome.
Overall, it was a team effort. It has been all season, Coulter said. The kids fought. They never gave up in any game we were in. We got to look at it as a good thing, starting all these freshmen. All of that is good experience. I wish it could have ended better for the seniors, but theyre good with what were doing. They understood. Well just take it and build on it.
NOTES: Johnson and Candelaria were both ejected with 5:45 left in the game on offsetting personal foul penalties.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.