A day that started with high hopes ended in disappointment for the Montezuma-Cortez High School football team.
Playing in Englewood against Kent Denver High School in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Nov. 8, the Panthers were dominated from the start, losing to the second-ranked Sun Devils, 56-18.
“We didn’t come out good, we came out flat,” said M-CHS running back Randy Haley. “They had the momentum throughout the game, and it was hard to get back.”
Keying the Kent Denver scoring attack was senior running back Jaden Franklin, whose speed and power overwhelmed the Panthers defense. Franklin rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
After Kent Denver converted two long third downs on its opening drive, Franklin scored on a one-yard run up the middle to put the Sun Devils ahead 7-0 with 8:27 left in the first quarter.
The Sun Devils scored again when quarterback Zander Ellis floated a 28-yard pass down the right sideline to Joe Rassenfoss, who caught the ball in the end zone to extend Kent Denver’s lead to 14-0 with 3:56 left in the quarter. Ellis completed five passes for 166 yards on the day.
“I just didn’t do my job,” said Panthers defensive back Austin Bayles.
Kent Denver scored again on a 9-yard run by Franklin to move ahead 21-0 with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.
Refusing to lay down, the M-CHS offense put together its best drive of the game, moving the ball the length of the field before scoring on a 12-yard pass play from Jonathan Walck to Ryan Gurney.
The M-CHS touchdown cut Kent Denver’s lead to 21-6 with 9:45 left in the second quarter.
An interception by M-CHS defensive back Josh Ramos on Kent Denver’s ensuing offensive possession gave the ball back to the Panthers, but the M-CHS was forced into three downs and out.
A 45-yard punt return by Franklin extended Kent Denver’s lead to 28-6, and two more touchdowns put the Sun Devils ahead 42-6 entering the half.
The Sun Devils’ speed and skill surprised the Panthers.
“(Kent Denver) was really good,” said running back Haley. “They were better than we thought they were going to be.”
After the Sun Devils extended their lead to 56-6 at the end of the third quarter, the Panthers scored twice in the fourth quarter on 8-yard runs by Haley.
Panthers fans showed their appreciation with loud cheers. Numerous fans made the trip from Cortez and the visitors stands were packed till the end.
With the loss, M-CHS finished the season with an 8-3 record. The Panthers win in the opening round of the playoffs was the M-CHS program’s first playoff victory since 1957.
“Coming from where we were our freshman year to where we ended up our senior year speaks volumes of our work ethic and heart,” said Haley.
“All our work together over the last four years made us close,” said Walck.
After changing in the locker room, shaking hands with fans and exchanging hugs with loved ones, the Panthers boarded to begin their trip back to Cortez.
“We’ll be back,” said Bayless. “Nothing is set in stone, but we’ll be good next year. We’ll continue to do our best.
