MONTE VISTA— On a cool night the Pirates dispatched league foe Dolores in a 58-point shutout.
Monte Vista came into this game with two straight notches in the ‘W’ column with the 11th seed in their back pocket. Dolores meanwhile has been a streaky team for the past five weeks, alternating wins and losses with each game being decided by 19 points or more.
Dolores got the ball first and looked to be making the most of it, driving 55 yards thanks to a 46-yard connection between Jayden Karo and Trey Seekins. After an incompletion, Karo tried for the end zone and found Monte Vista’s Enrique Ortiz for an interception instead.
Monte Vista drove it right down the field with 38 yards to Jacob Chavez’s credit capping the drive with a 1 yard score from Chavez.
Monte Vista would register another takeaway on the ensuing possession recovering a fumble at the visitor’s 32-yard line. On their first play Zach Hindes found Ortiz running free for their second score in just over a minute. After forcing a three and out the Monte Vista unveiled a new wrinkle to their offense on the second play of the second quarter when Kaidon Wenta lined up under center for the Pirates.
Wenta went 2 for 2 and 37 yards en route to Chavez collecting his second score on the night from 16 yards out. Fans wouldn’t have to wait long to see more offense as Ortiz found his second interception of the night just 16 seconds after Monte Vista kicked the ball away.
Kaiden Wenta turned it into 6 with a 25-yard pass to Payton Wilson to go up 28 to nothing. Another 14 points from Monte Vista before the midway point forced a running clock.
The second half saw touchdowns from Ortiz, AJ Smith and a 46 yard field goal by Parker Randolph to cement a 58 point show of force entering the post season.
Kaiden Wenta had a night to remember, leading the Pirates with three touchdowns in three different ways. Even with the score being rather lopsided both teams showed grace as they knelt together at midfield after the game in prayer.
Look for the Pirates on the road this week in the post season at they take on #6 seed Clear Creek. The Gold Diggers are a strong offensive team out of Evergreen, Colo. from the Foothills League. They are 8-1 overall with their lone loss coming to leader, Bennett. Game details were not available at press time.