Sometimes a team doesn’t have to win the game to make its coach proud. That was the case Sept. 18 after McCurdy battled Fort Sumner, the four-time defending Class A state champion, for four quarters before losing 21-7 in an away game.
The Bobcats led 7-6 in the fourth quarter before the Foxes scored two touchdowns to come away with the victory.
“We went toe-to-toe with the four-time champion and fought until the end,” McCurdy coach Eric Vigil said. “We’re very proud of the tremendous team effort.”
The Bobcats had their back to the walls at the start of the game after Fort Sumner returned the opening kickoff deep into McCurdy territory. The Foxes had a first down at the Bobcat’s 6-yard line when a stalwart McCurdy defense led by Matthew Bustos stuffed the Foxes and McCurdy took over on downs.
McCurdy stuffed the Foxes later in the first half when they had the ball first and goal at the McCurdy 9-yard line. That time the Foxes missed a field goal attempt.
A key injury hurt McCurdy’s already depleted receiving corps. Bobcat quarterback Louie Martinez completed a pass to Justin Chavez for 24 yards out to the Bobcats’ 44-yard line, but Chavez hobbled off with an ankle injury and didn’t return to the game. Chavez’s fellow starting receiver, Ryan Bustos, didn’t suit up for the game due to an injury that required stitches.
The score was 0-0 at halftime. When the Foxes and Bobcats met last season in the Class A semifinals, the Foxes led 54-0 at halftime on their way to a big win.
The Bobcats drew first blood in the second half. Martinez hit senior receiver Fernando Avila with a 43-yard touchdown pass less than two minutes into the third quarter. Ron DeVargas booted the extra point, and McCurdy led 7-0 at 10:11 of the third quarter.
The Foxes answered with a touchdown run by Michael Mares with 1:17 left in the third quarter, but the Bobcats stuffed the two-point conversion attempt and clung to a 7-6 lead.
Fort Sumner intercepted a Martinez pass on McCurdy’s next possession and scored on a 30-yard run by Mares. He ran for the two-point conversion, and the Foxes led 14-6 in the fourth quarter. The Foxes intercepted Martinez again and Mares scored his third touchdown.
The Foxes’ defense finished the game with three interceptions and held McCurdy to minus-5 yards rushing.
McCurdy faces another tough opponent Saturday when it hosts for its homecoming game undefeated Pojoaque.