Over the course of the 2014 football season, two Cortez Middle School football teams left lasting impressions on members of their community.
Playing with determination and grit, CMS’s A- and B-teams combined to win 14 or their 16 games. In doing so, the Jaguars teams provided hope that Cortez’s football future will be bright.
A-team enjoys outstanding season
Stocked with talent at almost every position, CMS’s A-team finished 7-1, with its lone loss coming to Bayfield in the league championship game.
Leading the way for the A-team throughout the season was quarterback Ethan Long, whose powerful legs and strong arm made him one of the most dynamic offensive players in the area.
Also playing a key role for the Jaguars on offense were running backs Vinnie Conklin and Bridger Black, who combined to produce several long running plays this season.
“The offensive line made our job easy,” said Conklin. “If they hadn’t done anything, we wouldn’t have been able to score.”
After finishing the regular season 6-0, the Jaguars opened the league playoffs at home against Durango’s Miller Middle School on Sept. 30. After a big first half, CMS held on to win.
“In the first half, we played just how we were supposed to,” said running back Bridger Black. “We did everything right. In the second half, we came out soft, but we won.”
Thanks to the win, CMS advanced to a league championship matchup against Bayfield, in Pagosa Springs on Oct. 4.
After falling behind 14-0 by the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars cut the deficit to 14-6 after scoring a second-quarter touchdown. Bayfield responded however, scoring on the final play of the first half to increase its lead to 22-6.
Opening the second half with renewed energy, the Jaguars struck first, scoring a touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Trailing 22-14 late in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars drove to Bayfield’s 25-yard line with five seconds remaining, but were unable to score after Long was intercepted on the final play of the game.
Despite the loss however, Jaguars players remained focused on what they hope will be a successful future.
“I think we all have the goal to win the (high school state championship),” said linebacker Chance Cote.
B-team wins league championship
Loaded with numerous seventh-graders and a few eighth-graders, the B-team finished its season with a 7-1 record and was crowned league champion.
After losing its only game to the Dolores Middle School A-team, the Jaguars advanced to a championship matchup against Bayfield in Pagosa Springs on Oct. 4.
With both defenses playing well, the game remained scoreless throughout regulation, and went to overtime. In accordance with overtime rules, both offenses were given one possession from their opponents 10-yard-line.
Thanks to four solid plays by their defense, the Jaguars defense prevented Bayfield from scoring. The CMS offense then took over and scored on a four-yard run by Titus Young.
“I had no idea that our B-team would have played so well in a system that was new for most of the kids,” said CMS head coach Dylan Ferguson.
With several of its players returning next season, this year’s B-team will look to win the league championship as an A-team next season.