The Panthers season, which will rank among one of the program’s best in their century on the gridiron, came to a close in northern Colorado against the No. 6 seed Spartans.
Montezuma-Cortez High School (7-3) fell behind against the Berthoud (8-2) spread offense, while struggling to match the Spartans through an opening half in which the hosts built a 28-0 lead. Berthoud added two more scores in the third quarter before the Panthers got on the board in the fourth quarter with a pair of touchdowns, one of which came via halfback pass.
Even in the loss, M-CHS can celebrate their second playoff appearance in the past three years, and their highest regular season win total (7) since 2014. The Panthers also captured their first league title as members of the Intermountain League. M-CHS will bid farewell to an influential group of over a dozen seniors after their playoff exit, enjoying one of the most successful stretches that the program has put together in decades.
Berthoud will face No. 3 The Classical Academy in the quarterfinals next weekend.
The Bulldogs extended their playoff appearance streak to six straight years, but couldn’t get past the No. 7 seeded Cubs in the opening round.
Dove Creek (7-3) trailed 14-0 early, but rallied with a late first quarter score to cut the deficit to 14-8. The Cubs (8-2) responded with a big second quarter, however, outscoring DC 26-0 in the frame to send the hosts on their way to the quarterfinals.
In their rematch of the 2022 state title game, Dove Creek added a late touchdown from junior Josh Kibel to narrow the margin, but Simla would advance, wrapping up the careers of a half-dozen Bulldog seniors.
Simla advances to take on No. 2 McClave in the second round of the 8-man bracket.
