In a game with a state championship appearance on the line for the Park County Rivals, you could tell the Broncs were ready to make a statement as they were able to advance against the Powell Panthers 21-0.
Head coach Matt McFadden described the matchup pregame as “as big it gets” and just “lucky to be apart of it.” McFadden made it abundantly clear that the past is irrelevant. “Last years over. New year, new kids. Last years over.”
As if the Broncs needed any more motivation, the 2019 season ended with the Broncs falling in the playoffs to the Panthers 21-14. Even though the past stays in the past, that memory of that close loss has still etched its stain in Codys minds.
The players were also ready as junior Devyn Engdahl echoed his coach saying, “we can’t overlook anybody, just cause you beat them once doesn’t mean you’ll beat them again. No one cares that we beat them once.”
They took all of that emotion on the field and made it obvious their intention, it just didn’t come to fruition until after a few tries.
Powell and Cody’s first 3 possessions each came up scoreless as the defenses were flying around the field.
On Cody’s fourth drive, the first of the second quarter, they were able to drive it down the field with the Talich brothers combing for two huge plays that amounted to almost 60 yards. Luke Talich was able to catch a 29 yard pass in the open field while his older brother Nic Talich punched it in with a 28 yard run up the middle making it 7-0.
With the Panthers unable to make it down the field, they gave the Broncs good field position, and they continued to capitalize.
On 2nd down and 20, Caleb Pryor was able to stay strong in the pocket and throw a strike to Drew Trotter for a 53 yard touchdown extending the lead 14-0 with under eight minutes left in the 2nd.
The Panthers began to show some promise as they began to find a rhythm when the Bronc defense again halted them at their own 40 yard line.
After a couple of failed drives the Broncs got the ball on their side of the field with under four minutes left and they didn’t need even that long to punch it in.
With 59 seconds left in the first half Cody Phillips tip toes the sideline found an avenue to run it in from 49 yards out.
The Panthers would throw an interception to Matt Nelson to conclude the first half with the Broncs attaining a strong lead of 21-0. Both teams combined for 12 penalties in the first half with Cody accounting for five of them.
Cody began the second half with a five minute drive but were unable to score, punting on a fourth and five in no man’s land.
Powell quarterback Langdon Langfelder was unable to find his spots the whole game as he only went 7-20 for 114 yards passing.
When hope was becoming scarce the panthers were able to convert on 4th and 10 to end the 3rd quarter that went for 50 yards. That along with a 15 yard pass interference penalty on the Broncs brought Powell to the 1 yard line for 1st and goal.
After a fullback dive, a quarterback keeper, run to the right, and a sneak from Langfelder the Broncs did not allow the Panthers to cross the foal line keeping them scoreless.
After a failed Cody drive it again ended up coming down to a fourth and 1 for the Panthers where Langfelders night continued to go sideways. Langfelder scrambled to the line to gain for six yards and ended up going back the wrong way losing his forward progress in what was a bizarre play.
The Cody Broncs were able to play field position the whole time just taking time off the clock and eventually Nic Talich was able to close out the game on a fourth and two where he ran for six.
The Broncs will play the Jackson Broncs next week at Spike Vannoy Stadium in the State Title game. Cody beat Jackson the last week of the regular season 48-6 to secure the No. 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
