ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School football team went into Friday night’s game against Pagosa Springs just clinging on to the No. 16 position in the Class 2A ratings percentage index (RPI).

But the Mean Moose strengthened their case for a state playoff berth as they defeated the Pirates 14-8 at the AHS stadium.

“Looking at RPI, we felt pretty comfortable that if we won this game, we’ll be playing football next week,” said Alamosa coach Drew Sandlin.

Things didn’t start off so great for Alamosa. On their second possession of the game, the Mean Moose went three and out and went into punt formation. The snap went over punter Carlos Garcia’s head and out of the end zone for a safety and Pagosa led 2-0 with 5:18 left in the first quarter.

But Alamosa got a break on the free kick as the short boot was fumbled and the Mean Moose recovered. They then made the Pirates pay as Dyson Woodward threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Victor Zepeda. Ryan Higareda then made the extra point and Alamosa led 7-2

The Pirates regained the lead late in the second quarter as Creede Dozier threw a 12-yard sacoring strike to Colton Lucero. Carlos Garcia, however, blocked the extra point and Pagosa led 8-7 with 2:25 left before halftime.

The Mean Moose had just enough time to get one more touchdown as Zane Zook ran four yards to the end zone. Higareda again made the point after and Alamosa led 14-8.

The Pirates attempted to get another score as two major penalties put them deep into Alamosa territory. They attempted a field goal, but the snap was bobbled and Pagosa came away empty as the first half expired.

Alamosa had another promising drive on its first possession of the third quarter. The Mean Moose marched all the way to the Pagosa 8, but Dozier intercepted Woodward to end the drive.

The Mean Moose had another potential scoring drive as they drove to the Pagosa 5. But a holding penalty pushed Alamosa back and it attempted a field goal which was unsuccessful.

The Pirates had a chance to take the lead as Dozier attempted a long pass. The receiver, however, dropped the ball.

After a Pirates’ punt, the Mean Moose ran out the clock.

Alamosa accumulated 284 yards of total offense with 246 coming on the ground. Woodward led the ground game with 131 yards on 25 carries, and Zook had 115 yards on 19 carries.

Woodward completed four of six passes for 38 yards. Tony Griego had one reception for 17 yards, Zepeda and Carlos Garcia both had one catch for nine yards, and Zook had one reception for three yards.

Pagosa was held to only 77 yards – 62 rushing and 15 passing. Seth Zeigler led the running game with 48 yards on 12 carries and Lucero was held to 40 yards on 11 carries.

Dozier completed two of four passes for 15 yards.

Alamosa (6-3, 4-1) will now wait for the state playoff bracket to be released.

“We have to see how the games shake out tonight and tomorrow,” Sandlin said. “We’re thinking maybe Lamar, but we don’t know for now. We’ll be on the road for sure.”

Alamosa 14, Pagosa Springs 8

Pagosa Springs 2 6 0 0 – 8

Alamosa 7 7 0 0 – 14

First quarter

PS – Safety, ball snapped out of end zone, 5:18

A – Zepeda 9 pass from Woodward (Higareda kick), 2:27

Second quarter

PS – Lucero 12 pass from Dozier (kick blocked), 2:25

A – Zook 4 run (Higareda kick), 0:37