4A No. 4 Montrose football stays unbeaten with win over 3A No. 2 Durango

In front of another packed Montrose Stadium, the Class 4A fourth-ranked Montrose football team faced 3A second-ranked and defending state champion Durango. It was also the return of former Montrose head coach Todd Casebier as the visiting Demons’ head coach.

The Indians won 39-7 to remain unbeaten on the young campaign.

“I am so proud. That was a really good win over a really good team,” Montrose head coach Brett Mertens said. “Our kids played their tails off tonight and the results spoke for themselves. We are going to take things one day at a time and keep trying to get better every day.”

Allowing an average of the just 11.7 points per game, the Indians (3-0) defense stopped the Demons (2-1) on their first possession to set up a scoring drive that ended with Austin Griffin scoring from six yards out and gave Montrose the early lead. The Indians scored again in the second quarter, driving 70 yards on eight plays to set up Griffin’s second touchdown of the night.

Durango senior Nate Messier got the Demons on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown run. A third rushing touchdown from Griffin, however, gave the home team a 21-7 halftime lead.

To start the third quarter, Montrose senior Ethan Hartman took the second half’s opening kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown and Gabe Miller intercepted a pass from Durango quarterback Tyler Harms on the next drive. Griffin and Tayne Ila each added another score for Montrose and the Indians cruised to their third victory in as many games.

“I would say we played good, but we still have some things to fix up,” Montrose senior Ashden Oberg said.

The Indians will be at Palisade on Thursday. The Demons will travel to Farmington, New Mexico, on Friday.

“Montrose was better in every way,” Casebier said. “They played tough. We have lots to work on. They played better and coached better.”