The Montezuma-Cortez Panthers (2-6) and Dolores Bears (2-6) will close out their seasons on Friday, and both squads are hoping to end the year in winning fashion.
M-CHS wrapping up a turbulent season
The Panthers’ season has been in turmoil from the get-go, beginning with the firing of former head coach Dave Wagner and followed by a string of injuries to the young, inexperienced team.
Interim head coach Scott Conklin kept the team moving forward and won games against Ignacio and Pagosa Springs, and the Panthers corps of linebackers are a sign of hope for next year.
Juniors Tanner Desrosiers, Coby Baer,Zach McDonald and Elisha Vaquera have kept the Panthers in games with stellar defensive play.
Desrosiers leads all of Class 2A with 66 solo tackles, Baer has recorded 39 solos, and McDonald and Vaquera are No. 2 and 3 in tackles-for-loss in Class 2 with 19 and 18 respectively.
Will a freshmen-heavy roster, the Panthers are hoping to end their season with a win at Alamosa and carry momentum into next season with the young team.
Dolores looks for a win after losing 5 straight
The Dolores Bears are in a similar situation.
After winning two of their first three games, the Bears have lost five straight, bringing their record to 2-6 on the season.
With one game remaining and no chance at the playoffs, they’re looking to end their season on a positive note against winless Ignacio on Friday.
Dolores’ season has been up-and-down, with close losses in winable games against Salida and Center.
But the Bears also have positives to point towards.
Senior quarterback Jalen Balderrama leads the Southern Peaks league with 826 yards passing, junior Tristen Medina leads the league with 370 receiving yards and freshman linebacker Forrest Pejsa is third in Class 1A in total tackles with 109.
Coach Chris Trusler has plenty of young talent that will return next season, but he’s hoping to send out his eight seniors with a victory.
“We want to end on a high note and get a win at home,” he said.