(Jeff Tucker/jefferywtucker.zenfolio.com)
LONGMONT — Pueblo East will get a shot at a third-straight championship after ending the improbable playoff run of the Mead Mavericks.
No. 11 Mead was running on a two-game upset streak in the Class 3A playoffs, having narrowly topped Palmer Ridge and Palisade. No. 2 Pueblo East looked to extend its nine-game winning streak and take a shot at the three peat.
And though the Mavericks’ magic kept them in the game, the defending champions won the semifinal 28-21, led by quarterback Luc Andrada’s three touchdowns.
On the Eagles’ first drive, the ball belonged to running back Bryson Torres, their star running back. In four minutes, Torres carried it five times and completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown to put the favorites on the scoreboard early.
But Mead answered nearly immediately, with a 47-yard run from Gino Musick to land them on the goal line. Quarterback Riley Glynn found wide open running back, Nathan Mackey, to even the score.
Mead’s defense shut down Torres’ running game on the next Eagles possession, forcing an uncommon long throw from Andrada that was picked off by defensive back Ryan Lavanchy.
When the Mavericks failed to capitalize on the turnover and Pueblo East regained possession, Andrada threw another interception to Mead safety Trace Lindemann. But in similar fashion to the first, Mead couldn’t move the ball and went three-and-out as the first quarter came to an end.
Pueblo East’s offense controlled the second quarter, reaching the red zone twice but unable to score, setting up two unsuccessful field goal attempts.
But Mead’s offense remained stagnant, and the Eagles’ Andrada looked to his legs for points. A long run by the quarterback placed them at the 5-yard line, and a short quarterback keeper put East ahead 14-7 as the first half came to an end.
Mead came out of halftime with fast-paced play, but again stalled. On the other end, the Eagles realized Andrada’s running game could be effective, and by the end of the third quarter, the quarterback scored again to make it 21-7.
At that point, Mead did answer when Glynn found Dominic Esters on an 11-yard touchdown.
The Mavericks’ defense got a late spark, forcing the Eagles to punt the ball with five minutes left in the fourth. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Glynn connected with Esters again for a 75-yard touchdown, a beautiful long ball led right into his receiver’s hands, who ran it in all alone.
And with just a few minutes remaining, the Mavericks and Eagles were tied at 21.
But on the Eagles’ final drive, Andrada could not be stopped, faking a handoff to Torres before running it to the opposite side of the endzone to take the late lead at 28-21.
“The openings were there because of Torres and my offensive line,” Andrada said. “It helps to have 3A’s best running back next to you. I faked it to him and the defense would flow right there and then I just did what I could with my speed.”
Hope remained for Mead, with just about two minutes to score and a short Eagles punt, but the football was fumbled and recovered by East cornerback Josh Padilla, sealing the win for Pueblo East.
Mead, a school and football program revived in 2009, will look to continue to grow after its improbable postseason run. It was only the second time the program had made the playoffs, and the run included the first postseason wins in program history.
Pueblo East will face Discovery Canyon in the championship game next Saturday.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing,” said Pueblo East coach Andy Watts.”We have to keep working hard Monday through Friday and come ready to play on Saturday.”
Pueblo East upset Discovery in the playoffs the past two seasons, defeating them in the quarterfinals in 2013 and the semifinals in 2014. The Eagles are seeking their third consecutive title.