Meadows claims 5th straight title

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Nov. 19, 2001 | 11:11 a.m.

For all of his achievements on the football field, Pat Curran has never envisioned his name on The Meadows' depth chart at quarterback.

So when Mustangs coach Frank DeSantis tapped him last week as the emergency replacement for injured signal-caller Mike Paulos heading into Saturday's Class 2A state championship, Curran was understandably surprised.

"I've never played quarterback in my life, except in the backyard," said Curran, the team's featured tailback the past two seasons. "It was a new experience for me."

Working in a newly installed offensive set, Curran expected to do most of his work with his feet. Instead, he torched Battle Mountain for two deep touchdown passes, leading the Mustangs to a 20-6 victory, their 41st consecutive win and a fifth-straight 2A state title.

"I play baseball, so I'm used to throwing the ball around...but I was not expecting those two touchdown passes," Curran said. "The whole game, we were just waiting to get the run going, but they made good adjustments."

Both touchdown strikes went to Gavin Goorjian, for 67 and 66 yards, as The Meadows built a 14-0 halftime lead. After the Longhorns scored to pull within eight, Curran took matters into his own hands, rushing for a 40-yard score to ice the win.

Curran finished with 141 rushing yards on 35 carries and completed 4-of-10 passes for 151 yards. The Mustangs' defense held previously-unbeaten Battle Mountain to just 47 yards on the ground.

Paulos, a senior who also stars in basketball, injured his knee in last week's win over Pershing County. Curran said it was difficult for the team to play without one of its leaders.

"It was hard for us, and I know it had to be harder for him. He's probably the most competitive person I know," Curran said. "He led us the whole way here."