Despite no crowd, Elks end 10-year losing streak against Hilltoppers
In what could have been the most competitive game in New Mexico last Friday night, no fans were permitted in the stands to watch the Pojoaque Elks end a 10-year victory drought against uphill rival Los Alamos, 14-13.
The joy of the victory was not diminished for the Pojoaque players, coaches and even the cheerleaders.
“I’m so proud of them,” Elks’ coach Zeke Villegas, whose team doused him with a ubiquitous post-game water cooler full of ice, said. “We found out (about the fan ban) three hours before the game and heads dropped a little bit, but then we had to reset and get focused.”
After a Los Alamos time out, Elk sophomore quarterback Josh Gonzales scrambled wide for 12 yards for a critical first down at the Hilltopper 2-yard line with 2 minutes, 32 seconds to play and Gonzales scored a touchdown on the next play for the final margin of victory.
Gonzales won the starting quarterback job during August practice, edging out Los Alamos transfer D’Marcus Rodriguez. He led the Elks rushing attack with 115 yards on 21 carries, while backfield mate Jonah Villegas added 83 yards on 13 carries before being ejected for targeting as a defender on a Los Alamos receiver early in the third quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Gonzales said. “We wanted to win for D’Marcus, then we lost Jonah, but we’ll take that last drive and that last defensive stand.”
Zeke Villegas has seen, first-hand, the growth in the young Gonzales.
“He’s leading in the huddle and on the field,” Zeke Villegas said. “He’s watching more film and understanding that he needs to know what everyone is doing and where everyone needs to be on every play. He’s growing into being a leader.”
Los Alamos had plenty of time to put together a game-winning drive of its own, but Corey Gonzales led five Elk defenders in swarming Hilltopper quarterback Kyle Evenhus for a 20-yard sack on 4th-down-and-five with 1:11 to play.
“We’ve only allowed 19 points in three games,” Zeke Villegas said. “It may seem simple math but our defense does understand the math, if you don’t allow (the opponent) many points, it’s easier to win.”
After watching Gonzales taking the victory knee and participating in the post game handshakes, the Pojoaque cheerleaders raced to the center of the field cheering, ‘Who’s house, our house! Who’s house, our house!’ ”
Though the house was devoid of fans it was not devoid of joy.
“I told you that we lost four games in the fourth quarter last year,” Zeke Villegas said. “What we’ve preached all summer is paying off and (the players) are believing.”
The decision was made jointly by Pojoaque and Los Alamos administrators, mid-Friday afternoon to ban fans. A social media posting saying “Elk Hunt” with crosshairs over the Elk was being circulated.
“There have been threats like these over the years, but in today’s climate, we have to take these things seriously,” Pojoaque Athletic Director Mark Mutz said. “That and with what happened in Georgia and with the release of information about the shooting at Buffalo Thunder (Casino), the right decision was made.”
The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and Pojoaque Pueblo police investigated the discharge of two gunshots at the Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder Resort Sept. 1 and believe a 16-year old boy fired two rounds into a hallway ceiling as a scuffle among several Española Valley High School students escalated, according to Sheriff’s office reports.
If Pojoaque fans want to watch the Elks Friday, they’ll have to drive 3.5 hours southeast to Dexter. Dexter (3-0) smothered Class 4A Grants, 34-12, Friday.
“We’ve already watched film on Dexter and they’ll run wishbone, then they’ll go spread (offense),” Zeke Villegas said. “We’ll be ready defensively.”
And the Elks may be playing without Zeke Villegas’ son Jonah. According to New Mexico Activities Association rules, football player ejections come with a one-game penalty, but those decisions can be appealed.
“It was a bang-bang, shoulder-to-shoulder play,” Zeke Villegas said of the play after which Jonah Villegas was ejected. “It wasn’t intentional and he timed it perfectly. (Jonah) was just doing his job the way that we coach it.”
Pojoaque appealed two player ejections last season and won both.
“It was tough for us (Friday),” Zeke Villegas said. “We were without Jonah for most of the second half and we adjusted. If we have to play without him Friday, we have to adjust. But I will take this kind of effort, especially on defense, every game.”