Throughout its season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School football team has relied used its powerful running game to earn victories.
Things were no different on Oct. 10, when, playing on the road against Bayfield, the Panthers amassed 364 rushing yards in route to a 47-13 victory.
“The offensive line was beast mode,” Panthers head coach Casey Coulter told the Durango Herald.
With the win, M-CHS improved to 5-2 on the season and 2-1 in the Western Slope South League.
Randy Haley led the Panthers with 216 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Jonathan Walck also enjoyed a fine day, rushing for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
After M-CHS fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter after a touchdown run by Bayfield’s Zane Phelps, the Panthers tied the game, 7-7, after a rushing touchdown by Walck.
Walck scored again early in the second quarter to put the Panthers ahead 14-7 before Bayfield scored on an 18-yard touchdown by Kelton McCoy to make the score 14-13.
Refusing to head to the locker room quietly however, the Panthers pulled ahead 21-13 after a 90 yard kickoff return by Andrew Finch.
Throughout the second half, it was all Panthers as M-CHS outscored Bayfield 27-0 over the final two quarters thanks in part to a 76-yard touchdown run by Randy Haley on the first play of the third quarter.
Leading M-CHS defensively, Haley had 16 tackles and one sack. Victor Perez had 13 tackles, Elijah Lansing recovered two fumbles and Andrew Finch and Jonathan Walck each had one interception.
In all, the Panthers forced seven Bayfield turnovers.
Next up for M-CHS will be a road matchup against Olathe on Oct. 17.
The Panthers currently sit second in the Western Slope South League and with consecutive wins to close out their season, will secure one of the league’s two automatic playoff berths.