La Junta Tiger Football Finishes 8-2 Season with Loss to Basalt

Description: The La Junta Tigers went 8-2 in 2026, finished atop the 2A Tri-Peaks League and advanced to the Class 2A playoffs before falling to Basalt... Photo by Daniel Chaparro.

La Junta Tigers Finish 2026 Football Season 8-2

LA JUNTA, Colo. — The La Junta Tigers closed the 2026 football season with an 8-2 record after an 8-1 regular season and a playoff loss against the Basalt Longhorns on Saturday afternoon.

La Junta finished 5-1 in 2A Tri-Peaks League play. The Tigers scored 320 points and allowed 132 points over 10 games played.

The Tigers opened the season with five consecutive victories, including shutout wins over Sterling, Pueblo Centennial, Manitou Springs and Florence. Their only regular-season loss came Oct. 2, when Banning Lewis Academy edged La Junta out 27-22.

La Junta responded with three straight wins to finish the regular season, defeating Florence 41-0, Woodland Park 47-13 and Lamar 26-22 in the Whistle Game.

The Tigers’ postseason run ended on Saturday, November 7th with a 36-13 loss to Basalt in the CHSAA Class 2A state playoffs.

Senior Chris Barela led La Junta in rushing, averaging 142.8 yards per game, and recorded 10 total touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. Senior Gavin Denahy led the team in passing yards, while junior Eban Morales led in receiving yards per game and sacks.

The Tigers should be proud of what they accomplished this season. An 8-2 record, a strong finish in league play and a trip to the state playoffs reflect the team’s hard work and determination.

Congratulations to the players and coaches on a great season, and good job representing La Junta.

The La Junta Tigers and the Basalt Longhorns shared closing handshakes Saturday afternoon after their playoff matchup in Tiger Stadium.

Congratulations to the Tigers’ 14 seniors on completing their high school football careers. Thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to La Junta football.

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Photos by Daniel Chaparro

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