PAGOSA SPRINGS— Alamosa fell flat against Pagosa Springs 24-14 for a late season league loss in the IML Saturday afternoon.

Alamosa tried the same formula for a victory from last week but couldn’t repeat the results. Angelo Ramirez stepped in at quarterback so John Lujan and Ben Wuckert could split carries while Reis Martinez continues to get healthy.

Alamosa got the first possession and Ramirez and Wuckert took turns running as the Moose made it all the way to the 15 before turning the ball over on downs. The Pirates drove the ball out 15 yards before quarterback Cade Cowan took it the final 70 on a scramble striking first the extra point from Keaton Anderson making it 7-0.

Alamosa's next drive they got off an incompletion before a fumble gave the ball back to the Pirates at Alamosa’s 15-yard line. Alamosa’s defense stood tall after the giveaway only allowing 3 yards and forcing a field goal from Anderson to make it 10-0.

Alamosa came out hungry on the next drive that spanned quarters, Ramirez totaled 55 yards rushing from the quarterback position to carry Alamosa on an 80 yard drive to pay dirt. An extra point from Katie Garcia made it 10-7. Alamosa got fired up closing the gap and shot at their own foot. Three plays into Pagosa’s next drive Ian Jackson had an interception nullified by a roughing foul that not only allowed Pagosa to retain possession but also moved them up 15 yards to their own 45.

The Pirates weren’t willing to offer another opportunity to Alamosa’s defense and handed it off to Ty Kimsey. Kimsey took it 65 yards for the answer putting Pagosa Springs up 17-7 going into the midway point.

Starting off the second half Alamosa blinked. The Moose muffed a punt allowing the Pirates a drive that started in the red zone. Alamosa junior Kolten Hillis bailed the defense out with a timely interception taking it into Pirate territory to inject some life back into the Moose. When the drive stalled at the eight-yard line Gallegos stepped in for a try from 25 yards out. The kick was a low line-drive that went under the cross bar, keeping the second half scoreless.

Pagosa would make the next mistake 3 drives later, the snap sailed on the punter who was forced to kick it away for minimal yardage giving Alamosa a shortened field. Lujan took the reigns once again and tossed a 20 yarder to Chad Jackson to cut the lead to three, 17-14. After forcing a punt, Alamosa got their chance. They had the ball and were a successful 79-yard two-minute drill away from a fourth quarter comeback. In 3 plays they lost 16 yards and nearly gave up a safety.

Pagosa took the ensuing drive 75 yards with Kimsey delivering the back breaker at 1:34 to finalize the score 24-14. Alamosa’s next drive covered 38 yards when a jump ball got picked off by Javier Marinelarena’s, allowing the Pirates to run out the remainder of the clock for the win.

The loss drops Alamosa to 5-3. Before the loss they were teetering perilously on the edge at the sixteenth spot with it shaping up to be a fight to the finish. Only .002 RPI points separate Alamosa, Valley, and D’Evelyn who are all vying to extend their seasons.

Alamosa faces what looks to be a must-win against fourth ranked Intermountain League leader Bayfield next Friday Oct. 27 at home at 7 p.m.