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Defense propels Montezuma-Cortez to state semifinals

Caden Cote of Montezuma-Cortez High School, shown against Aztec High School earlier this year, helped propel the Panthers to a 14-0 win Saturday against Rifle. (Journal file photo)
Panthers shut out Rifle in front of large home crowd

Few saw this coming. But plenty came to watch it unfold.

With the upswell of a packed Panther Stadium for Montezuma-Cortez’s playoff run, the Panthers put together their most dominant defensive performance of the season, pummeling Rifle in a 14-0 quarterfinal victory to advance into uncharted territory in the state semifinals.

Electric energy from the west stand in the historic stadium erupted to a fever pitch every time the Panthers laid a vicious hit on a Bear ball carrier. Enough power, in fact, to keep the M-CHS dynamo playing for another week of football.

Seniors Caden Cote and Dorrian Hilliard feasted on the Bears backfield, as the Panthers (8-3) shut down a vaunted Rifle rushing attack, then came after Bears’ dual threat quarterback Logan Gross all afternoon.

M-CHS’ defensive line, led by juniors Marcus Harris and Miles Frost, dictated the point of attack, allowing the linebackers free rein to fly into the backfield and disrupt any rhythm that the Bears hoped to establish.

“Our D-line, they were insane today,” said Cote. “They were able to set us up to allow us to get to the quarterback, our coaches helped us pick up on their tendencies, and figure out how we’d be able to get at them.”

After Rifle (6-5) dominated the ground in their first meeting, M-CHS learned from game tape how they wanted to avoid a repeat performance, and defensive coordinator Jarrett Watkins and the Panthers coaching staff had the Panthers ready for the Rifle attack.

“They like to run downhill, but we just like to hit,” added Cote. “We’ve been running this defense for three years, so it’s really clicking for us.”

M-CHS scored on each of its half-opening drives, scoring after a turnover in the first minute of the game, then on the opening drive of the second half, to give the defense all the cushion they would need.

A strip sack of Gross on the second play from scrimmage set M-CHS up in the red zone, and two plays later, sophomore Tay Wheat found the end zone from 8 yards out to put the Panthers in front 7-0.

With a lead to protect, the defense continued to overpower the Rifle offense, forcing a series of three-and-outs that turned the game into a battle of special teams. The Panthers offense sputtered through much of the first half after their game-opening score, but relied on freshman Isaac Dozal’s punting and great coverage to keep the Bears from threatening.

A pair of muffed punts by the Bears helped the M-CHS cause, while the Panther defense collected five takeaways, including two interceptions of Gross in the second half. The special teams unit blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter, as well.

Cote finished with a monster day from his linebacker position, collecting nearly half a dozen sacks, while pressuring Gross into hurried passes.

Out of the locker room with their touchdown advantage, the Panthers looked to give themselves some breathing room and cashed in on their first drive of the third quarter. Facing third-and-ten from their own side of midfield, senior quarterback Jake Blackmer found classmate Zander Cruzan on a screen pass good for 25 yards, setting the Panthers up in Rifle territory.

On the very next play, Wheat worked his way around the left side of the line on a handoff, cut back to the middle of the field behind excellent downfield blocking, and outraced the Rifle secondary to the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown. Dozal’s PAT padded the lead to 14-0, and even with plenty of football to played, the stadium began to sense that this might be a knockout blow.

“The blocks were there,” said Wheat of his touchdown runs, “our line is a beast, with senior Alec [Manuel Jr.], and they created that hole for me, and I just took it.”

The M-CHS defense turned Rifle into a one-dimensional offense after that, which meant that the Panthers could pin their ears back and attack Gross, who spent much of the second half running for cover.

Sophomore defensive back Colby McMillian picked off Gross at the goal line on Rifle’s best threat of the game, and the Panthers played keep-away to preserve the victory.

“Hats off to our defense,” said Mack after one of the biggest wins in program history, “our coaching staff and players studied a lot, and focused on what they were wanting to do. That, and the boys played smart football today.”

Smiles beamed across the faces of the players as they celebrated with family, friends, and the community in their postgame celebration. Now, as the only team outside of the top four seeds still playing in the 2A bracket, the No. 11 Panthers get to carry their underdog banner to Eaton to face the defending state champions in the state semifinals.

“This one meant a lot to our seniors,” said Wheat, “after that loss to Delta [in the regular season finale], we weren’t sure that we’d get one more chance, but we’re showing everyone what that we can do with that chance.”

“The community has made this even more fun,” added Mack, “because they’ve come together, and we’re feeling that unity.”

“It means a lot,” said Cote of the team’s appearance in the state semis, “we’re out here to prove everyone wrong and turn this program around – we’re excited and going to keep marching as long as we can.”

For the hardy fans making the lengthy road trip to northeast Colorado, kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. Meanwhile, fans wanting to follow the action on the radio can tune into 92.3 FM and 740 AM KVFC beginning at 12:30 p.m. for all of the coverage of M-CHS and No. 2 Eaton.