Turnovers and penalties were the No. 2 seeded Pirates downfall as they fell to the No. 7 Kent Denver Sun Devils 34-31 in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Pirates couldn’t overcome three turnovers and 10 crucial penalties, something that has been uncommon for the squad during its 26-game winning streak.
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The Sun Devils scored 14 points off Olathe’s turnovers and got their revenge on the Pirates, who beat Kent Denver in the quarterfinals last season, 27-6 on their way to their first state title.
“They (Kent Denver) have been playing great football the last couple of weeks,” Corn said. “They are a good football team doing some good things.”
Early on, it looked like the Pirates were on their way to another victory as Dylan Markley recovered a fumble stalling the Sun Devils first drive.
Three plays later and OHS got on the scoreboard. Pablo Payan found the outside corner and raced 56 yards down Olathe’s sidelines for pay dirt. However, five minutes later the Sun Devils responded when Kent Denver’s quarterback Matt Florence connected with 6-foot-3 Jacques Bristow on an 80 yard touchdown pass. But the Sun Devils missed the extra point, giving Olathe a slight advantage.
The advantage didn’t last long as the Pirates turned the ball over in their own territory. And after two big runs by Tyler Jackson, Sam Struna scored on an eight-yard run. Markley blocked the extra point and the Pirates were facing a 12-7 deficit late in the first quarter.
The Pirates’ quick striking offense answered right back when Garhett Jurgens scampered 60 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown to give Olathe a two-point advantage going into the second quarter.
Kent Denver slowed the game down in the second, with a 10 play, 56-yard drive which was capped on a Tyler Jackson 13-yard run and the Pirates were in unfamiliar territory going into halftime, down 19-14.
The momentum started to swing Olathe’s way in the second half as the Pirates scored 10 straight points. A minute into the half, Jurgens connected with Markley on a 54-yard pass. Five minutes later Sergio Salazar connected on a 43-yard field goal to put OHS up 24-19.
But mistakes continued to be the Pirates’ worst enemy. Olathe fumbled the football deep in its own territory and the Sun Devils made OHS pay. Florence connected with Bristow again on a 21-yard touchdown pass and the two-point conversion was good to put Kent Denver up 27-24 going into the fourth.
Jackson pushed the Pirates’ deficit to 10 points after scoring on a six-yard run early in the fourth quarter. Olathe didn’t roll over, sustaining a 10 play, 53 yard drive that took almost four minutes and was capped when Jurgens connected with Markley on a two-yard pass.
However, a late fumble ended Olathe’s chance of rallying and its perfect season
“This team has more heart and dedication than any team I’ve ever coached,” Corn said. “Things just didn’t go our way and we lost to a very good team.”
Kent Denver will travel to Bailey to face No. 3 Platte Canyon next Saturday. Platte Canyon defeated Holy Family, 20-14.



not answered wrote on Dec 5, 2009 9:08 AM:
Why so serious wrote on Dec 4, 2009 2:31 PM:
Hee Hee wrote on Dec 3, 2009 4:39 PM:
A sports editor wrote on Dec 3, 2009 5:36 AM:
As for the complaints, if you want Little Johnny's name in the paper when he scores a TD then you have to accept the risk it'll be in the paper when he fumbles. It's part of the deal of getting coverage. "
Full of Corn wrote on Dec 2, 2009 11:44 AM:
I recall Markley being credited for a fumble recovery, blocked kick and two touchdowns in the story — never once blaming him for a "game losing fumble"
Athletes must learn to lose with dignity just like they learn to win with it and that should go for fans too. Does the photo not paint a perfect image of the Pirates' demise — regardless of whether someone's pride was at stake? "
PirateAlum2 wrote on Dec 1, 2009 5:02 PM:
Big Joe wrote on Dec 1, 2009 1:53 PM:
The photo of the kid fumbling is a great photo. It shows action, an event and is part of the story.
Just because you expect puppies and kittens and positive news 24/7 doesn't mean it's going to always be that way. If you don't like the photo tough luck.
Great job, Montrose Daily Press, for using sound news judgement and doing what is right. "
Kyle wrote on Dec 1, 2009 12:54 PM:
Shame on the press for running the photo. Shame on the press for mentioning the fumble in the story. Shame on the press for even reporting that they lost.
Next time, don't be so cruel and write that they won, even if they didn't. These are just kids and they could use the lift! "
Just curious wrote on Dec 1, 2009 7:56 AM:
Great job all of you, Indians, Panthers and Pirates, just to accomplish what you did. Be proud!!!!!! "
Disappointed wrote on Nov 30, 2009 8:34 PM:
PirateAlum wrote on Nov 29, 2009 6:32 PM:
montrose resident pirate fan wrote on Nov 29, 2009 11:37 AM:
sports fan wrote on Nov 29, 2009 9:51 AM:
unknown wrote on Nov 27, 2009 10:28 PM:
unknown wrote on Nov 27, 2009 10:25 PM:
Go Away wrote on Nov 27, 2009 1:27 PM:
100 OLATHE FAN AND PROUD OF IT. wrote on Nov 27, 2009 9:03 AM:
Smear wrote on Nov 26, 2009 4:25 PM:
Indian wrote on Nov 26, 2009 4:20 PM:
Fan wrote on Nov 26, 2009 4:19 PM:
Fan wrote on Nov 26, 2009 4:06 PM:
Olathe Fan wrote on Nov 26, 2009 1:27 AM:
Montrose Indian wrote on Nov 25, 2009 11:36 AM:
Sportsfan wrote on Nov 25, 2009 9:36 AM:
Barbara Thrush wrote on Nov 25, 2009 8:50 AM:
Olathe Fan 2 wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:18 PM:
Quote from Mary wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:16 PM:
Wow wrote on Nov 24, 2009 5:54 PM:
While pirates fan considers the MDP as 'fair weather fans', but it wouldn't be fair if they were fans. There should never be cheering in the press box. Their job is to tell the story. "
CRC wrote on Nov 24, 2009 3:23 PM:
Blown Away wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:30 PM:
JP wrote on Nov 24, 2009 11:29 AM:
KRISTEN WING wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:23 AM:
pirate fan wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:22 AM:
Montrose Fan wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:18 AM:
Proud Parent wrote on Nov 24, 2009 7:58 AM:
OHS fan wrote on Nov 24, 2009 7:56 AM:
Proud Pirate Fan wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:54 PM:
Deena Ray wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:45 PM:
CAlvin wrote on Nov 23, 2009 7:56 PM:
Lisa Markley wrote on Nov 23, 2009 3:00 PM:
Mom of Champions wrote on Nov 23, 2009 2:01 PM:
pirate fan wrote on Nov 23, 2009 1:18 PM:
proud parent wrote on Nov 23, 2009 1:02 PM:
Sean Stansberry wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:54 AM:
teacher wrote on Nov 23, 2009 10:01 AM:
Proud Parent wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:56 AM:
Joel Forrest wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:00 AM:
OHS Teacher wrote on Nov 23, 2009 8:50 AM:
Today I wish you could have supported and celebrated what these boys have done, rather than highlighted their mistakes. This is the last game for these seniors, and this is their last story in their "local" paper. Couldn't you give them a positive send off? A picture of one of their great plays would have given them something to remember this last game--and a great season. "
Pirate Fan wrote on Nov 23, 2009 7:49 AM:
another proud pirate fan wrote on Nov 23, 2009 7:29 AM:
fan wrote on Nov 22, 2009 7:55 PM:
I'm sure there were other pictures available of touchdowns, tackles and other positive aspects of this game. "
Disappointed wrote on Nov 22, 2009 11:33 AM:
Proud Pirate Fan wrote on Nov 22, 2009 11:15 AM:
pirate fan wrote on Nov 22, 2009 11:15 AM:
Congratulation on this year you still went a long ways!!! "