Log In


Reset Password

Scoreboard, Panthers ready for tonight’s home game in Cortez

The Journal

The new Montezuma-Cortez scoreboard is primed to light up for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday at Panther Stadium in a game pitting M-CHS against Zuni High School.

The scoreboard has problems since September 2017, after it apparently was struck by lightning, and last week’s home opener was played at Dolores High School because of wind damage.

Last week, the Panthers scored two late touchdowns to defeat Kirtland Central, 14-10.

Tonight, the 1-1 Panthers will face 1-1 Zuni High School, which is coming off a 20-14 victory against the Hopi Bruins.

“We’re definitely excited to play at Panther Stadium,” Scott Conklin said. “Zuni has a big quarterback, and they are big up front. They run a pro-style offense, and they run the ball hard. I believe that it will be another defensive struggle, and I’m hopeful that we can get our receivers loose on their (defensive backs) and pick up another win.”

The Zuni Thunderbirds have put up 48 points in two games this season, but have given up 68. The Panthers have scored 20 points and given up 30.

Tonight, look for the Panthers offense to raise its scoring average. The Panthers are led by quarterback Ike Dennison, who scored twice against Kirtland Central and averages 160 yards passing per game and 197 total yards per game. Jacob Shuster averages 45 rushing yards per game.

On the defense, Matthew Broughton averages 14 tackles per game and has forced a fumble in each of the Panthers’ first two games.