GHS football falls to Coal Ridge, 41-14

The Gunnison High School football team lost to Coal Ridge Friday night, 41-14.

The Cowboys hosted the Coal Ridge Titans on Friday, Oct. 9, for their final home game of the year and lost 41-14. The Cowboys came out fast in the first half, but ultimately gave up too many big plays in the second half and lost the game.

After 12 minutes, the Cowboys were down 7-6 and going into halftime the Titans held a one-touchdown 21-14 lead. 

“(In) the first half, the boys played great,” said head coach Chase Starman. “They really kind of took it to them. It honestly looked like Coal Ridge was caught off guard there for a second. And (I’m) just proud of the boys for taking it to them from the jump.”

The second half was a different story though. The Titans scored three touchdowns, one on a punt return, one on a pick-six and one on an 85-yard pass, while holding the Cowboys scoreless and they won the game 41-14.

“(If) you eliminate those three possessions or those three explosive plays, it would have been a completely different ballgame,” said Starman. “But it is hard to take yourself out of a hole like that and that's kind of just been the story of our season.”

Quarterback Asher Woytek finished the game 7-for-24 with 116 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. 

Parker Vick caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Tytus Williams also caught two passes for 44 yards. 

On the ground, Jakob Miller finished with 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Colton Bogner also had 33 yards on 11 carries.

Deegan Bennett and Miller both lost a fumble as well.

Jacob Frey led the team with seven total tackles and Vick had the next most with five. Frey had a sack and Zair Daniel was the only other Cowboy with a tackle for a loss.

Williams, Jack Stone, Daniel and Vick all had fumble recoveries as well. 

The Cowboys have one regular season game remaining this season. They’ll travel to Pagosa Springs on Friday, Oct. 16, to take on the Pirates who are 3-4 this season.

Starman is confident that if the Cowboys play their game, eliminate the explosive plays from Pagosa Springs, don’t turn the ball over and get off the field quickly on defense they will give themselves a good chance to win the game. 

“We are guaranteed Tuesday practice, Wednesday practice, Thursday practice,” said Starman. “And it is for sure a guarantee that we are going down to Pagosa Springs and kicking off at 7 p.m. Everything after that, there is no guarantee. So let's make the most of what we have guaranteed, what time we have left together, what preparation time we have left.”