The Friday night lights shined over Gardner Field one last time this season for the Sailors’ season finale in football against Rifle. 

On the bubble of a playoff berth, Steamboat knew this game could make-or-break its chances at continuing into the postseason, but the snowy night was not on the side of the Sailors who fell 28-21 to the visiting Bears. Steamboat’s season record finalizes at 5-4. 

After trading fumble recoveries to start the game, it was Rifle who found the end zone first, pounding in with a rushing touchdown for six. A failed two-point attempt would leave Rifle with the 6-0 lead. 

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Steamboat responded in the middle of the second quarter with a touchdown pass for 27 yards from quarterback Tanner Cobb to wide receiver Abbott Gautreaux for a Sailors lead, 7-6. 

Rifle later capitalized off a Steamboat fumble deep in its own territory with a touchdown that left the Sailors with just 1:41 left in the first half, down 13-7. 

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A long return from Eli Bever on a squib kick-off put the Sailors in great field position. After a series of plays, it was Bever who ran his way up the middle for a touchdown and the 14-13 lead. 

Rifle tossed a few prayers down field with the remaining seconds on the clock but an interception from Steamboat’s Luke Jordan ensured the score would remain at halftime. 

Following the senior night celebration at halftime, Steamboat drove masterfully down the field on a six minute drive that ended with a four yard rush into the right pylon for Bever’s second house call of the night. 

Rifle was quick to two more touchdowns and a 28-21 lead. 

Left with about seven minutes on the clock and a shot to tie it, Cobb led another quality drive into the red zone, threatening to score. A botched snap pushed Steamboat just outside of the red zone to the 21 yard line and only two more chances to find the end zone . 

On fourth down, Cobb passed to the front left pylon where receiver Cohen Vanderbosch was tackled early and flags flew. On a free play from the 10-yard line, Cobb called for the snap one last time, but his throw found the ground prior to the hands of his receiver for an incomplete pass. 

Ending the season 5-4, Steamboat had its best record since 2021 when the team went 6-4. The Sailors scored 94 more points this season than it did last season and earned its first victory over Moffat County in a decade. 

Rifle 28, Steamboat Springs 21
R:   6  7  8 7
SS: 0 14 7 0