Despite a resilient performance in front of the home fans that had the Basalt High School football team within striking distance of the school’s first-ever trip to a championship game, the Longhorns ultimately bowed out with a 41-28 loss to The Classical Academy (TCA) on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Coming into the game with identical 11-0 records and ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, the matchup had all the makings of a classic 2A playoff duel on a perfect fall football day.
With an overflow crowd packing the bleachers and lining the fence — many with cowbells to set a decidedly West Slope mood — Basalt got off to an inauspicious start in the opening minute of play, giving up two quick touchdowns to the visiting Titans from Colorado Springs.
The first came on the opening kickoff, when TCA’s Zach Mediavilla gathered in a well-placed Longhorns boot to the corner and inside the 2-yard line. Mediavilla surveyed the long field ahead, spotted an open lane and scrambled 98 yards for the score.
The second came after an interception on the Longhorns’ first possession, when TCA’s Jackson Schipfer found an opening in the Basalt defense and went 60 yards for a TD.
Both extra points were good, and the cowbells were silenced — but not for long.
“We had talked all week about no turnovers and not getting down early, but that if it happened to fight back and believe in what you can do,” head coach Carl Frerichs said Monday as he reflected back on what his troops almost pulled off.
“To be on our heels that fast, and then to come back to have it tied 21-21 with 10 minutes left to play in the fourth (quarter), that’s just a credit to these kids’ resiliency and to our coaches,” he said.
It took a while to get the Longhorns’ mojo back, but a muffed punt reception by TCA in the second quarter opened the door.
Operating from the Titans’ 15 yard line, Basalt senior running back Will Daniel caught a touchdown pass from junior quarterback Karson Schneider to pull to within 8 points, 14-6, after the extra point kick was blocked.
The score would hold until halftime, but coming out of the locker room Basalt was ready to do business.
A 29-yard touchdown pass from Schneider to junior Parker Sims, followed by Daniels’ 2-point conversion run, tied it up 14-14.
The Titans would regain the lead on a touchdown and successful extra point late in the third quarter, but Basalt had a quick answer, tying it at 21-21 on a 65-yard catch and run by junior Will Tarallo.
The score held until just under eight minutes to play in the game, when Basalt was backed up inside the 10 and fumbled on a reverse play, setting up another Titans score to make it 28-21.
TCA was able to score two more touchdowns to put the game on ice. Basalt did get a late score with just over two minutes to play, when Daniel caught a 1-yard touchdown pass after a successful, but time-consuming drive.
“That first play of the game punched us in the mouth pretty good, so we were a little shell-shocked, for sure,” said senior lineman Kody Barton reflecting back on that opening play.
Instead of pointing fingers and letting it get in their heads after the interception and second TCA touchdown, Barton said the team decided instead to pull together.
“To get back into that game we just had to trust in our brothers to do their jobs and handle the situation,” he said. “We battled through and gave ourselves a chance.”
That tight team bond made it a special season, Barton said.
“It just makes everyone a go-getter, where you’re out there playing for your brothers and not just for yourself,” he said.
Barton is one of seven senior starters who are set to graduate from the Longhorn ranks.
“That’s one of the hardest things every year is to say goodbye to those seniors,” coach Frerichs said.
Even with the senior losses, looking ahead to next season the Longhorns expect to return seven of 11 starters on both sides of the ball. With a strong contingent of developing players, Basalt should be right back in the mix of things come fall 2025.
“The Kody Bartons and Will Daniels, and all of those senior captains, they’re hard to replace,” Frerichs said. “But we also know we have some kids who are ready to step up into that role.”
In addition to Barton and Daniel, the Longhorns wave bye to seniors Taylor Hays, Owen Lindt, Fernando Ayala, Henry Hendrix and Dan Coriat.