For the second consecutive week, the McCurdy Bobcats took advantage of a team that couldn’t hold on to the football.
The Bobcats built up a 43-0 lead in the first quarter after the Thoreau Hawks fumbled the ball five times. McCurdy led 57-0 at halftime and that was the final score.
Bobcat quarterback Louie Martinez threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more. Senior Justin Chavez returned a fumble 44 yards for one touchdown and caught one of Martinez’s touchdown passes. Jed Cordova, Lucas Akes, Carlos Herrera and Joey George also scored touchdowns for McCurdy.
“We forced some early turnovers and capitalized on them quickly,” McCurdy coach Eric Vigil said. “We saw some holes in their defense and were able to take advantage of them.”
McCurdy’s second- and third- string preserved the shutout while playing the entire second half. However, Vigil is concerned that his starters haven’t yet played a full game because of McCurdy’s lopsided wins in its first two games. The Bobcats beat Navajo Pine 70-14 Aug. 29 in their season-opener.
“You worry about the conditioning factor when they have to play a full game,” he said.
On the other hand, the blow outs have allowed the younger Bobcats to gain experience.
“We’re excited watching our freshman make interceptions, score touchdowns and make tackles,” Vigil said.