CORTEZ – It had been five years since the Panthers broke the half-century mark on the scoreboard.
Montezuma-Cortez High School needed every single point to hold off a never-say-die effort from visiting Kirtland Central in front of a packed house Friday night at Panther Stadium. A decisive stretch late in the first quarter and early into the second saw the Panthers score on four consecutive possessions, giving them a lead they would never relinquish in a 54-40 shootout victory over Kirtland.
The win breaks the ice as the Panthers (1-2) enter the win column for the first time in 2023, and just as important, M-CHS got the offense in gear after only 12 combined points in their opening two losses.
Junior running back Tay Wheat put together another personal highlight reel, scoring four times – half the Panthers’ eight touchdowns on the evening.
Not to be outdone, Kirtland junior Bryle Matthews rushed for three scores and added a pair of passing strikes to keep the Broncos in the game.
The teams combined for 61 second-half points, as Kirtland head coach Travis Clary turned to Matthews at quarterback to ignite a rally from the visitors that closed the contest to a two-score deficit, after the Broncos trailed by as many as 28 in the game.
In the end, M-CHS answered every Broncos rally with a rapid-fire response, as the Panthers produced four touchdowns from their own side of midfield, including a backbreaking 75-yard kickoff return from Wheat that extended the Panthers lead to 54-26 early in the fourth quarter.
KCHS (1-2) opened the scoring with a 60-yard drive, capped by a six-yard run from Matthews, and it appeared the Broncos might be able to impose their will on the ground. The Panthers responded, however, with four straight scores, punctuated by a 59-yard slash-and-dash run from Wheat to build the Panther lead to 26-7 at the intermission.
Adjustments on defense from Panther DC Jarrett Watkins stymied the Broncos ground attack, at least until the third quarter.
That’s when a track meet broke out. With Matthews at the helm to start the second half, Kirtland started to move the ball downfield with a series of quick scores of their own, including a 54-yard blast from senior Demusico Edsitty to fire up the visiting faithful.
Panthers junior defensive back Bobby Likes stepped in front of a pass from Broncos senior Tyler Joe and returned it to the house for a 47-20 lead, before Matthews led successive drives for scores, connecting with Noah Dineyazhe and Payton Mike to keep the Broncos in contention.
Eventually, time ran out on the Broncos comeback, and Montezuma-Cortez could celebrate a hard-earned victory.
Junior Panthers quarterback Colby McMillian, whose 65-yard burst in the third quarter showed off his open-field speed, liked what he saw from the M-CHS offense. “The blocking was there all night,” said McMillian of the holes opened up from the Panthers’ front five, “and the short passing game was really working well.”
McMillian connected with senior Cash Clark for a 31-yard strike down the seam to get the Panthers on the board.
“It was well-executed on his end,” said the junior quarterback. “He did a great job getting open – it was perfect.”
Meanwhile, Wheat, who had more than 300 yards of offense in last year’s meeting, put together another master class against the Broncos. “We’re lucky to have him,” said McMillian. “He’s amazing out in the open space.”
For stretches of the contest, M-CHS looked to make the Broncos one-dimensional, leaning on stacking the box against the Kirtland ground game. Senior two-way player Marcus Harris led the charge for the Panthers.
“We were able to shut down the middle, and get some pressure on their quarterback,” said Harris. “We’re starting to figure out how to adjust with some of the new guys in different roles this year.”
Along with fellow seniors Ian Todacheeny and Hunter Goodall, the Panthers’ front line on both sides of the ball played their best game of the season. Junior linebacker Shyoki Knapp added a couple of sacks and an interception to his resume in the win.
It’s a galvanizing victory for the Panthers, and one that could lead them on to a run, as they now face North Fork to wrap up a three-game homestand, Saturday, Sept. 16 at Panther Stadium. Still, Harris is able to keep the result in perspective.
“No matter what the outcome of the season,” said Harris, “I’m just happy to be out there with my brothers.”
Kirtland Central prepares for a second week on the road, as the Broncos travel to Albuquerque for a meeting with Rio Grande on Saturday afternoon.
