<\/p>\n
A day that started with high hopes ended in disappointment for the Montezuma-Cortez High School football team.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t come out good, we came out flat,\u201d said M-CHS running back Randy Haley. \u201cThey had the momentum throughout the game, and it was hard to get back.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s lead to 14-0 with 3:56 left in the quarter. Ellis completed five passes for 166 yards on the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just didn\u2019t do my job,\u201d said Panthers defensive back Austin Bayles.<\/p>\n
Kent Denver scored again on a 9-yard run by Franklin to move ahead 21-0 with 39 seconds left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The M-CHS touchdown cut Kent Denver\u2019s lead to 21-6 with 9:45 left in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
An interception by M-CHS defensive back Josh Ramos on Kent Denver\u2019s ensuing offensive possession gave the ball back to the Panthers, but the M-CHS was forced into three downs and out.<\/p>\n
A 45-yard punt return by Franklin extended Kent Denver\u2019s lead to 28-6, and two more touchdowns put the Sun Devils ahead 42-6 entering the half.<\/p>\n
The Sun Devils\u2019 speed and skill surprised the Panthers.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Kent Denver) was really good,\u201d said running back Haley. \u201cThey were better than we thought they were going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Panthers fans showed their appreciation with loud cheers. Numerous fans made the trip from Cortez and the visitors stands were packed till the end.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s first playoff victory since 1957.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing from where we were our freshman year to where we ended up our senior year speaks volumes of our work ethic and heart,\u201d said Haley.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll our work together over the last four years made us close,\u201d said Walck.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be back,\u201d said Bayless. \u201cNothing is set in stone, but we\u2019ll be good next year. We\u2019ll continue to do our best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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