The Escalante Lobos wanted to make a statement against Cuba Sept. 12 in their first home game of the season.
The Rams (Class AA) were coming off a 14-12 upset win over Española Valley (Class AAAA) the week before and were favored over Escalante (Class A).
“People were saying they’d beat us by three touchdowns,” junior tailback Isaiah Maldonado said. “We came out to make a statement.”
Maldonado scored two first-half touchdowns as the Lobos raced out to a 33-6 halftime lead.
Escalante senior quarterback Justin Atencio returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, and Maldonado added another touchdown on a 44-yard run to give the Lobos a 46-6 victory over Cuba.
“Nobody can mess with us,” Atencio said. “We’re the best in Class A.”
Atencio scored the game’s first touchdown on a 14-yard run on Escalante’s first possession. Then the Lobos recovered a Cuba fumble, and Atencio tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Eric Belser on the next play. The Lobos led 21-0 at the end of the first quarter after a touchdown run by Corey Ulibarri.
“I think our speed really surprised them,” Escalante coach Diego Brusuelas said. “These kids are doing everything we ask of them.”
In the second quarter, Maldonado scored on a 15-yard run to make the score 27-0. On Escalante’s next possession, however, the Lobos looked like another team had put on their uniforms.
Backed up to their six-yard line after a Cuba punt, Escalante lost yardage on its next two plays, and Atencio tossed an interception on third down that Cuba returned to the Lobos’ 11-yard line. Dylan Bridge scored on the next play for the Rams on an 11-yard run.
“What are you guys doing,” Brusuelas said to his team after Cuba’s touchdown.
Brusuelas moved Atencio to receiver and Andrew Garcia took over at quarterback after the Lobos still looked sloppy on their next possession. With 2:30 left in the first half, Garcia heaved a pass downfield that had the Cuba defender mesmerized as he watched it sail over his head and into Maldonado’s hands. The 80-yard touchdown pass gave the Lobos a 27-point lead at halftime.
Atencio’s punt return with 6:08 left in the third quarter made the score 39-6 and Maldonado took an option pitch from Atencio and raced around the right side for the game’s final touchdown. Brusuelas inserted his second string offense in the fourth quarter.
The Lobos face Navajo Pine Saturday and head south Sept. 25 for a tough road game against the Carrizozo Grizzlies. The Grizzlies grabbed the final Class A playoff seed in 2008, beating out Escalante despite their 3-6 record because they had defeated the Lobos 46-7 during the season.
“We have to show people that the teams up north can play football,” Brusuelas said.