<\/p>\n
Last season, the Glenwood Springs Demons defeated the Montezuma-Cortez High School Panthers football team 48-3. This season, the Panthers played better, losing 35-14 in a contest that was far more competitive than the final score indicated.<\/p>\n
Playing at home on Friday, Oct. 25, the Panthers stood tall throughout the first half, demonstrating a level of confidence indicative of a team on the rise.<\/p>\n
After multiple big plays by the Panthers defense, highlighted by a stellar play of senior Keegan Ralstin, who hustled to make a touchdown-saving tackle and later recovered a Demons\u2019 fumble deep in Panther territory, the game remained scoreless after the first quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI needed self-discipline. I\u2019ve been working really hard on it, and I think it paid off a little bit,\u201d said Ralstin, discussing his outstanding first-half performance.<\/p>\n
While the Panthers\u2019 defense played well throughout the first half, the Demons finally broke through with 6:18 left in the second quarter, scoring on a 2-yard quarterback keeper by Travis Lundin.<\/p>\n
A subsequent extra point by Robert Hiles extended the Demons\u2019 lead to 7-0, a score that would stand until the conclusion of the first half.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defense played really well,\u201d said Panthers\u2019 head coach Casey Coulter. \u201cEverything was clicking. They stepped up their physicality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beginning the second half without starting quarterback Jonathan Walck, who sustained an injury late in the first half, the Panthers offense struggled.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the defense held strong, as junior Randy Haley forced a fumble, which was recovered by sophomore Austin Bayles, and Ralstin came down with an interception.<\/p>\n
Unable to garner support from the offense however, the Panthers defense finally yielded, surrendering a 20-yard touchdown run to Glenwood\u2019s Henry Hill to fall behind 14-0 with 31 seconds left in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
Opening the fourth quarter, the Demons\u2019 offense struck again, this time on a 14-yard slant pass for a touchdown by Lundin to Chris Sarabia, which put the visitors ahead 21-0.<\/p>\n
Refusing to give in however, the Panthers got on the board after a beautiful pass from sophomore quarterback Cordell Ridings to Ralstin, who raced 53 yards for a score to cut the Demons\u2019 lead to 21-7.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Ralstin) was wide open,\u201d said Ridings. \u201cI just had to play catch with him. I got thrown in there, and I wasn\u2019t used to it. (The team) stood behind me just like I was the starting quarterback.\u201d<\/p>\n
After yielding an 87-yard kickoff return to Hill immediately after Ralstin\u2019s touchdown, the Panthers trailed 28-7. A 31-yard run by Demons\u2019 backup quarterback Dante Sparaco extended the lead to 35-7 and effectively put the game out of reach.<\/p>\n
The Panthers would add one last touchdown on a 62-yard touchdown run by Randy Haley.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are a good defense,\u201d said Haley. \u201cIt seemed like there were more than eleven out there when I was running. That last one, it finally broke open. We got the end blocked, and I just went around the outside.\u201d<\/p>\n
Statistical leaders for the Panthers included Ridings with 51 yards passing, Haley with 82 yards rushing Ralstin with 53 yards receiving and Haley with 13 tackles.<\/p>\n
With their season record now at 3-6, the Panthers will practice one more week before playing their final game of the season in Durango on Friday, Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just going to get better at what we can do,\u201d said Coulter of his team\u2019s upcoming match up. \u201cIf we play against Durango for four quarters like we did in the first (against Glenwood), we\u2019ll be in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n