Lutheran prevails 45-28 to advance to championship for first time
Jaxen Fancher, right, and Zach Haber of Durango High School hug each other on Saturday after losing to Lutheran High School in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
In a battle of high-powered offenses, the Lutheran Lions set the tone early while also intercepting four Durango passes to prevail in the Class 3A semifinals, 45-28, on Saturday at Durango High School.
“Lutheran did everything better than us,” said DHS head coach Todd Casebier. “They coached better, they played better and they deserved the win.”
The Demons struggled to move the ball on offense for most of the game, and they didn’t help themselves with penalties.
Lutheran, meanwhile, methodically moved down the field in the first half with its no huddle offense.
Tyler Harms of Durango High under pressure as he passes the ball while playing Lutheran High School in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
The Lions struck first on a 14-play, 79-yard touchdown drive on its opening possession. Ryan Kinney scored on a 7-yard run to give Lutheran a 7-0 lead.
“That first drive, we grinded out 79 yards and I think that set the tone,” said Lutheran head coach Stephen Robbins. “That got our guys hyped up.”
A hold negated a DHS first down on its first drive. Landen Mrozczek then sacked quarterback Tyler Harms to force DHS to punt.
Durango’s defense made a stop on the next drive. A Lion receiver got a step on Durango’s defense, but was unable to make the catch. On fourth-and-3, Lutheran completed a pass, but Kaleb Roberts made a tackle behind the line of scrimmage to force Lutheran to turn the ball over on downs.
Durango then tied the game after starting at Lutheran’s 42. On fourth-and-8, Tyler Harms completed a 35-yard pass to AJ Folk. Harms then scored with a second effort from one yard out with 2:05 remaining in the first.
Jackson Hubertus of Durango High School blocks a Lutheran High School pass on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Jerry McBride
The Lutheran Lions, however, were able to pull away after that.
Kinney scored his second touchdown on a touchdown on a six-yard run to put LHS up, 14-7.
DHS was forced to punt on its next drive, but fumbled the snap and Lutheran started at Durango’s 12-yard line. Three plays later, Ryan Daugaard completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Sam Wisler.
The Lions’ Samuel Smolen kicked a 20-yard field goal as the second quarter expired and LHS took a 24-7 lead into halftime.
Lutheran extended its lead in the third quarter to 38-7 with a pair of touchdown passes. Wisler caught a 30-yard touchdown and then, after Smolen intercepted a pass, Chace Sorenson hauled in a 32-yard score.
Durango kept fighting and scored on its last three possessions. Jeric Baruch broke free for several big runs in the second half and scored on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter. Later, Harms threw a nine-yard touchdown to Zach Haber. Durango recovered an onside kick and Haber ran into the end zone once more on a 11-yard run with 52 seconds remaining.
Lutheran, however, was able to take a knee after that and will now play in the state championship for the first time in the program’s history.
“We all got beat, but that doesn’t change what a great season we had,” Casebier said. “I love this team and the senior group has been great to be around.”
DHS finishes its season 11-2 overall. Lutheran, meanwhile, improved to 11-2 and will next face Roosevelt in the title game. Roosevelt beat Green Mountain 30-3 in its semifinal.
Jeric Baruch of Durango High makes a tackle while playing Lutheran High School in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS on Saturday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Tyler Harms of Durango High is under pressure as he passes the ball while playing Lutheran High School in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango High School coaches gather while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Jackson Hubertus of Durango High blocks a Lutheran High School pass on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Jaylen Jeffries of Durango High School pressures Lutheran High School’s quarterback on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango High School tackles a Lutheran High School rusher on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Zach Haber of Durango High School runs the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Tyler Harms of Durango High School passes the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Jeric Baruch of Durango High School runs the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Zach Haber of Durango High School is upended as he makes a touchdown catch while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Tyler Harms of Durango High School passes the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Kaleb Roberts of Durango High School makes a catch while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fans fill the stands for Durango High School’s semifinal game on Saturday against Lutheran High School at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Tyler Harms of Durango High School passes the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Brady Hansen of Durango High School goes for the ball while playing defense against Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Durango High School head football coach Todd Casebier coaches against Lutheran High School on Saturday in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Zach Haber of Durango High School goes up for the ball while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Miguel Garcia Rodriguez of Durango High School recovers an onside kick while playing Lutheran High School on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
A.J. Folk of Durango High School gets to the Lutheran High School quarterback on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Julian Rodriguez of Durango High School tackles a Lutheran High School ball runner on Saturday during the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Julian Rodriquez of Durango High School makes a tackle against Lutheran High School game on Saturday in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS.Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Jaxen Fancher, right, and Zach Haber of Durango High School hug each other on Saturday after losing to Lutheran High School in the semifinal round of the Class 3A playoffs at DHS. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
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