ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School football team hosted its annual Homecoming game Saturday at the AHS stadium as the Mean Moose hosted Pagosa Springs.

Alamosa was able to keep the Pirates off the scoreboard in the first half, but some unfortunate turnovers in the second half hurt the Mean Moose as they lost the game 21-12.

“That’s what ended up killing us in the second half,” said Alamosa coach Drew Sandlin. “We had two picks with one of them being a pick-six, and a fumble.”

The teams started out by exchanging punts. Pagosa Springs’ first punt was short and Alamosa took over in Pirates’ territory.

A couple of Pirate penalties pushed the Mean Moose closer, but Alamosa came away empty as it turned the ball over on downs.

The Mean Moose got the first takeaway of the game as Carlos Garcia intercepted Creede Dozier. However, Alamosa could not take advantage and punted.

The Mean Moose got another takeaway as Ryan Higareda intercepted Dozier at the Pagosa 45. This time, they were able to turn the turnover into points as Dyson Woodward scored on 1-yard plunge 12 plays later. Alamosa, however, missed the extra point as the snap from center was high which disrupted Higareda’s kick.

There was no scoring for the rest of the half.

The Pirates had the first possession of the second half and they were able to drive down the field for points. Gavin Lindahl took the ball to the end zone from 24 yards out, and Elijah Castro made the point-after to give Pagosa a 7-6 lead.

The Mean Moose looked to regain the lead on their next possession but fumbled the ball away.

Pagosa turned the mistake into points as it went 62 yards on 14 plays. Lindahl capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Castro booted in the extra point to give the Pirates a 14-6 lead.

Alamosa again looked to answer on its next drive as it drove to the Pagosa 38. However, Woodward was intercepted by Jaxten Schiel who then ran 75 yards for a touchdown. Castro made the point-after for a 21-6 lead.

The Mean Moose came back with a seven-play 55-yard scoring drive with Woodward scoring on a 2-yard quarterback keeper. Woodward also attempted to run in a two-point conversion but was stopped short of the goal line.

Alamosa got another break as Michael Motz recovered a Colton Lucero fumble on the Mean Moose 47. However, the drive came away empty as Seth Zeigler intercepted Woodward.

Alamosa had 212 yards of total offense with 140 coming in the air. Woodward completed 15 out of 28 passes for 140 yards, and his top target was Brant Jackson with six receptions for 42 yards. Karter Tolsma had three catches for 39 yards, Motz had three receptions for 18 yards, and Kevin Gonzales had two catches for 35 yards.

The Mean Moose had 72 yards rushing with R.J. Meis leading the way with 84 yards on 18 carries.

Pagosa Springs had 263 yards of total offense with 251 coming on the ground. Lindahl led the Pirates with 183 yards on 26 carries.

Dozier completed three of seven passes for 12 yards.

Alamosa (0-4) will have a week off before starting Tri-Peaks League play with a road trip to fourth-ranked La Junta on Sept. 29.

“We get a week off before we go to get to prepare for La Junta,” Sandlin said. “They’re one of the best teams in the state as well.”

Game time at Tiger Stadium is at 7 p.m.

Pagosa Springs 21, Alamosa 12

Pagosa 0     0    14      7 – 21

Alamosa 0     6     0       6 – 12

Second quarter

A – Woodward 1 run (kick failed), 7:05

Third quarter

PS – Lindahl 24 run (Castro kick), 10:21

PS – Lindahl 1 run (Castro kick), 1:01

Fourth quarter

PS – Schiel 75 interception return (Castro kick), 9:36

A – Woodward 2 run (run failed)