The Durango High School football team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday. DHS, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by CHSAANow, fell to the No. 4 ranked 4A Montrose Indians, 39-7.
“It’s disappointing,” DHS head coach Todd Casebier said. “We weren’t ready to play against a better fundamental team than us and that’s my fault. We got out-coached and out-played.”
The game was close for most of the first half.
Montrose scored first to take a 7-0 lead. On the Indians’ next possession, however, Durango forced and recovered a fumble to end the threat.
On the ensuing drive, DHS picked up one first down on fourth-and-short and then a second first down on a 10-yard run from Nate Messier. On another fourth down, Durango tried a fake punt, but came up short.
Montrose took advantage of the opportunity and scored again to go up 14-0 with just over 7 minutes left in the half.
Durango, however, found success passing the ball on its next drive. Quarterback Tyler Harms threw for three first downs and scrambled 15 yards for another. Then, from the 2-yard line, Messier rushed into the end zone for a Demon touchdown. Sam Carozza’s extra point made the score 14-7.
The Indians, however, found the end zone with 9 seconds left in the half. To start the second half, MHS returned the opening kick off for another touchdown to make the score, 27-7.
After an interception, Montrose scored again to to go up, 33-7.
Durango drove to Montrose’s 25-yard line on its next possession, but ended up turning the ball over on downs.
The Demons’ defense, however, forced another fumble to get the ball at midfield, just inside Montrose territory.
Durango drove the ball all the way to Montrose’s 2-yard line. A false start, however, backed them up and then on fourth-and-goal, Montrose picked off another pass.
An 80-yard touchdown run up the middle by Montrose ended up being the final score.
Durango is now 2-1 overall while MHS improved to 3-0.
Things won’t get any easier for the Demons either. Next week, Durango will travel to Farmington to take on the Scorpions, who are 3-0 and ranked No. 3 in New Mexico’s Class 5A.
“I promise we’ll be better next week,” Casebier said, but added that the team needs “to practice at a higher level.”
colivas@durangoherald.com
