West Grand’s football season ended with a 14-8 loss Saturday in the first round of state playoffs away against Merino.
Merino scored first with a touchdown and two-point conversion in the first quarter. West Grand answered immediately with junior running back Rene Dominguez rushing a 55-yard touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Jesus Dominguez tied the game rushing for a two-point conversion.
Neither team scored again until the third quarter when Merino made a touchdown but failed the two-point conversion. West Grand fought till the end but could not retaliate.
The teams faced each other with the same season record of 7-3. Before the game, West Grand ranked ninth in Colorado and Merino ranked eighth, making it a tightly matched game.
The loss on the Merino field came after West Grand won their last regular season game against Gilpin County 44-6 at their senior night on Nov. 1.