The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate football team earned its first league win of the season last week, defeating the Salida Spartans 36-20 in Salida.
The Pirates now boast an overall record of 4-1, including a league mark of 1-0, which puts them atop of the 2A Intermountain league and fifth in the state, according to the 2A Selection and Seeding Index.
“It was a good game. It was a close game,” coach Nathan Morales said.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Pirates were first to get on the scoreboard with an 11-yard rushing touchdown by Colton Lucero.
The Spartans were able to strike back on their next offensive possession with a 40-yard touchdown pass.
The Pirates converted their first extra-point attempt and the Spartans failed theirs, bringing the score to 7-6 going into halftime.
Both teams would score again in the third quarter, with Salida taking the lead from a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Another failed extra-point attempt brought the score to 12-7.
The Pirates were able to hit back with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Creede Dozier. A successful two-point attempt put the Pirates up 15-12.
The Pirates scored again in the fourth quarter with another rushing touchdown from Dozier for 5 yards, and a 50-yard rushing touchdown by Lucero.
An unsuccessful two-point attempt and a successful extra-point attempt brought the score to 29-12 in favor of the Pirates.
The Spartans were then able to score one more time on a 10-yard rushing touchdown. A successful two-point attempt brought the score to 29-20.
Following the Spartans scoring drive, the Pirates returned the kickoff for a touchdown, with Alex Pacheco going 97 yards for the touchdown.
A failed extra-point attempt brought the final score of the game to 35-20.
Morales explained that the Pirates had to make some adjustments in order to get their running game going, and that the team kept grinding, which eventually led to more success.
He mentioned that Salida did a good job of loading the box on defense, making it difficult for the Pirates’ running game at first.
“We had to change some stuff up, but we found a way to win, and that’s what matters,” Morales said.
He explained that the Spartans were lining up in some formations that the Pirates hadn’t seen up until that point.
“But, we weathered the storm and we were able to win the game, and that’s what matters,” Morales added.
Morales also mentioned the Pirates did a good job of taking care of the football and not giving up any turnovers.
“I think being able to take care of the football helps, and I think that’s part of why we ended up winning,” he said.
Morales explained that the Spartans were able to move the ball against the Pirates, but Pagosa was able to get stops in its own red zone and keep Salida from scoring.
“So, proud of our defense and the way they battled,” Morales added.
The Spartans ended the game with a total of 476 yards on offense, while the Pirates racked up a total of 281 yards on offense.
Morales mentioned the Pirates found a way to win offensively, noting Pacheco’s kickoff return for a touchdown was a big boost for the Pirates to end the game strong and not let Salida back into it.
Morales praised both Dozier and Lucero for their efforts in running the ball.
Dozier ended the night with a total of 73 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. He also had a total of 55 passing yards, completing five out of 10 attempts.
Lucero ended the night with a total of 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
He also had three receptions for a total of 32 receiving yards.
Jayton Ross had one rushing attempt for 3 yards and one reception for a 1-yard loss on the night.
Seth Ziegler had one reception for 23 yards.
The Pirates defense tallied a total of 58 tackles on the night, with Aven Cole leading the team with nine solo tackles.
Ross recorded eight solo tackles and Tommaso Nigro logged the Pirates’ only sack of the game for a 6-yard loss.
“It takes all 11 guys doing their job,” Morales said in regard to seeing the success on the defensive side of the ball.
The Pirates’ defense came up with three turnovers on the night, with Nigro recovering two fumbles and Aidan Vega recovering one.
Morales mentioned Salida was able to catch the Pirates off guard a couple of times, “but, for the most part, we rallied to the football and tackled well.”
He added, “We got out of there with a win, so that’s what matters.”
Morales commented that the Spartans are a tough team and that they are coached well.
“Salida’s a good team,” he said, “For us not firing on all cylinders, to get out of there with a win, we were happy.”
Morales explained that the Intermountain League is competitive, with four out of six teams currently boasting winning records.
“Our league is pretty tough. There’s not ever an off-week for us in our league,” he said.
He indicated that means the team has to work hard every week.
“We gotta work our tails off each week,” Morales added, stating there are no “gifts” in the Intermountain league.
He mentioned that Salida was able to come out and test the Pirates by making it a close, hard-fought game.
Morales added that he would like for the Pirates to “get back to what we do,” explaining that the team’s effort “has got to ramp up for these league games.”
He noted that the win against Salida was a big win for the team, especially after coming off of an intense win the week before against the Elizabeth Cardinals — a top-10 team.
“Salida came out and hit us in the mouth,” he said, adding that he was pleased with the way the Pirates recouped and fought back to come away with the win.
“That’s what you want to see in a team — find a way you win when things aren’t clicking — and they did. So, that’s a testament to this team and their effort,” Morales said.
Morales also took accountability for the Pirates not being as prepared as he’d liked against the Spartans.
“I gotta do a better job being prepared for everything,” he said, explaining that he needs to be more prepared for teams trying to take away the Pirates’ running game.
Morales added that he doesn’t expect the Pirates to play perfectly, but that he wants them to be getting better every week so that they are playing their best football at the end of the year.
He mentioned the game against Salida was good for the Pirates, and that Salida came at the Pirates with a good game plan.
“That’s good for us, we want to play meaningful games like that, and I think our league will give us that and that’s important,” he said.
The Pirates have had a short week this week, with their game against Bayfield scheduled for Thursday this week.
The Pirates will be at home tonight, Oct. 10, taking on the Bayfield Wolverines at Golden Peaks Stadium at 7 p.m.
Morales spoke about how the Pirates are dealing with the short turnaround, mentioning they are still practicing hard, but only getting two days to prepare.
“Funky week for us,” Morales said. “We got a lot to do in a short amount of time.”
He commented that playing against their rivals adds a little more intensity to this week’s matchup, and that the Wolverines have been playing good football so far this season.
“They’re playing tough defense, so we gotta make sure we get it going,” Morales said of Bayfield.
clayton@pagosasun.com
