BLANCA – The third-ranked Sierra Grande High School football team put a lock on the Southwest League title on Saturday as it defeated Cotopaxi 59-14 at John Roybal Jr. Field.

“We’re pretty much locked for that,” said Sierra Grande coach Luis Corona. “We just have to finish up the season strong and try to go undefeated.”

The Pirates had the ball first, but a bobble on the opening kickoff put them on their own 2. They eventually went three and out and punted.

After a 34-yard punt return by Jadyn Martinez, the Panthers started on the Cotopaxi 26. Sierra Grande scored three plays later as Aron Ojeda threw a 12-yard touchdown to Rolando Najera. Najera also kicked the conversion (worth two points in six-man football) and the Panthers had an 8-0 lead.

Cotopaxi again punted and the Panthers got another touchdown on their next possession. Ojeda threw a 40-yard touchdown to Jadyn Martinez, but the conversion failed and Sierra Grande led 14-0.

Cotopaxi looked to score on its next possession as it drove to the Sierra Grande 3. However, the Pirates turned the ball over on downs.

Ojeda and Jadyn Martinez hooked up again on the next possession. First they had a 46-yard completion, then they had a 31-yard scoring strike. Najera kicked the conversion and the Panthers had a 22-0 lead.

Sierra Grande then recovered an onside kick. They then executed the hook and lateral play as Ojeda threw to Najera, who then pitched to Jadyn Martinez who completed the 36-yard play. The conversion was unsuccessful and the Panthers had a 28-0 lead.

After a Pirates fake punt was unsuccessful, the Panthers scored again. This time Ojeda threw an 11-yard touchdown to Najera. Najera also kicked the conversion and Sierra Grande had a 36-0 advantage.

Cotopaxi again looked to get into the end zone as it drove to the Sierra Grande 6. But once again, the Pirates turned the ball over on downs.

The Panther ground game accounted for the next touchdown as Ayden Lopez ran 17 yards to the end zone. Najera again booted the conversion and the lead stood at 44-0.

Sierra Grande got one more touchdown before halftime as Ayden Lopez ran 49 yards for the score. Ojeda threw to Ayden Lopez on the conversion (worth one point in six-man), and the Panthers had a 51-0 lead at the intermission.

The Pirates got on the scoreboard on their first possession of the second half as Jamison Thurston ran 15 yards for a touchdown. Joel Tezak kicked the conversion, but Sierra Grande still had a 51-8 advantage.

Carlos Maestas scored the Panthers’ final touchdown on a 15-yard run. Najera kicked the conversion for a 59-8 lead.

The Pirates wrapped up the scoring as William Fong threw a 58-yard strike to Kenny Teter. The conversion was no good.

Sierra Grande had 406 yards of total offense with Ojeda completing seven of 11 passes for 179 yards. Jadyn Martinez had four receptions for 151 yards and Najera had three for 28.

The Panthers had 227 yards on the ground with Ayden Lopez leading with 97 yards on six carries. Jadyn Martinez had 48 yards on one carry.

Cotopaxi had 235 total yards – 54 rushing and 181 passing. Fong completed 14 of 25 passes with his top targets being Tezak with four catches for 30 yards, Dylan Bond with three receptions for 59 yards, and Teter with two catches for 63 yards.

Landen Pearce was the Pirates leading ground gainer with 32 yards on seven carries.

Sierra Grande (7-0, 4-0) will wrap up the regular season on Thursday as it will travel to La Veta.

“It will be a good game,” Corona said. “I know their coach Ron Ortivez will have his team ready. We just have to go up there and do what we do and let everything lay out on the line.”

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Sierra Grande 59, Cotopaxi 14

Cotopaxi 0 0 8 6 – 14

Sierra Grande 14 37 0 8 – 59

First quarter

SG – Najera 12 pass from Ojeda (Najera kick), 6:30

SG – J. Martinez 40 pass from Ojeda (pass faield), 3:54

Second quarter

SG – J. Martinez 31 pass from Ojeda (Najera kick), 9:28

SG – J. Martinez 31 lateral from Najera (kick failed), 9:18

SG – Najera 11 pass from Ojeda (Najera kick), 6:25

SG – A. Lopez 17 run (Najera kick), 2:33

SG – A. Lopez 49 run (A. Lopez pass from Ojeda), 0:40

Third quarter

C – Thurston 24 run (Tezak kick), 2:45

Fourth quarter

SG – Maestas 15 run (Najera kick), 8:10

C – Teter 58 pass from Fong (pass failed), 4:22