Football: Pojoaque 48, Navajo Prep 6
Pojoaque dominated from start to finish in a much-needed Week One victory on the road in Farmington on Aug. 18.
“They started off really well and ended really well,” Pojoaque coach Zeke Villegas said.
The Elks took control from the beginning, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and building a 34-0 lead by halftime.
Villegas said the win helps the team build confidence for the future, after they had lost every game they played in 2022.
“They got to see how good they really were and could be,” he said.
Five different players scored touchdowns for Pojoaque.
Quarterback Ethan Meloy dominated the game with four total touchdowns (see: Athlete of the Week). He completed four of his five passes, three for touchdowns, with 147 yards. He also scored a rushing touchdown. Killian Medina caught three passes for 110 yards and two scores.
On the ground, Josh Urioste led the way with seven carries, 70 yards, and two touchdowns. Luke Pacheco added a touchdown.
Freshman Jonah Villegas had a strong day with five carries for 83 yards and a 37-yard touchdown reception. He added eight tackles on defense and had long punt returns.
New players stepped up on defense, including Corey Gonzales, who paced the team with nine tackles and an interception.
Pojoaque also had female contribution sophomore Karlicia Salazar, who led special teams with three tackles.
“Just to see her flourish the way she did on Friday night made me proud,” Zeke Villegas said.
Next week, Pojoaque plays host to Bloomfield. the defending state champion.
“Ntohing better than getting the number-one team in the state to measure where you’re at,” Villegas said.
Football: Dulce 60, Pine Hill 14
Dulce started off a little slow, but quickly found a dominant offensive attack as they took down Pine Hill on Aug. 19.
Dulce first-year coach Lawry Johnson said that it took the team a while to get used to a different system, running a spread formation. In the new system, they run a no-huddle offense and get play calls from the sideline.
New quarterback Issak Reval led the way with 250 passing yards and six total touchdowns — four in the air and two on the ground.
“Issak threw the ball really good,” Johnson said.
Aljae Dixon, who Johnson said is in his first year playing football, had 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus an interceptino returned for a touchdown.
James Johnson, Jaren Johnson and Antonio Herrera also scored touchdowns.
“I wouldn’t say one person impressed me, as a team they all impressed me,” Lawry Johnson said.
The Hawks next face Navajo Pine on the road on Friday. The Warriors lost their first game of the season 48-0 to Menaul. Johnson said he expects a big, physical opponent.
Cindy Roybal Inducted to Hall of Fame
The new coach of Pojoaque Valley girls basketball celebrated this weekend her induction as part of the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
“It was surreal,” said Roybal, who has been around long enough to know everyone involved.
The indcution banquet, after a ride in a limousine with champagne, took place in Albuquerque on Aug. 19.
Roybal had been inducted to the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2017. She has also been inducted into the New Mexico Highlands Hall of Fame. And in 2012, she was part of a ceremony at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame where her pro team, the All-American Red Heads, were enshrined.
She boasts a 40-year coaching career that includes state championshps at Santa Fe Indian School, and many years spent coaching at New Mexico Highlands University.
Roybal enters her second stint as coach at Pojoaque Valley, having coached there from 2002 to 2005 with an overall record of 36-13 according to her Hall of Fame biography.
“It was like the cherry on the ice cream,” she said. “This is the biggest award that anyone can get in the state of New Mexico”
Sundevil Star Second in Tennis Tourney
Olivia Suazo, a sophomore at Española Valley High School, finished in second place at the open women’s singles in a Los Alamos tournament over the weekend.
Facing competitino of all ages, Suazo played well to tkae the tournament’s runner-up prize behind singles champion DJ Kliesen at the Joel Williams Memorial Tennis Tournament.