Despite a short-notice start to the season, and all of the challenges that come with a pandemic season, the Pojoaque Valley High School Elks football team closed strong for a solid season.
The Elks defeated Española 50-0 to close the season on April 3, ending with a mini winning streak, and avenging a loss to the Sundevils to end the 2019 season.
“This means, building on all the momentum that we’ve been taking through the whole season, starting last year” said Pojoaque coach Pat Mares. “Never losing hope that there was going to be a season. These kids put in the work every single day; when it was snowing, we were out there.”
Mares said his team’s “drive” made the difference in the win, and being consistent in every aspect on the field.
Mares said throughout the year, the seniors were sad when they thought there might not be a season, but they continued to show up and work hard in practice every day.
“Especially the seniors, that didn’t think they were going to have a season, it means the world,” Mares said. “Just to step on this field.”
“Just trying to have hope throughout the whole process,” said senior linebacker Deymian Waters. “It was a lot to take in, not knowing if we were going to have a season or not. But we kept our heads up, and kept fighting for it.”
Española got the ball first after kickoff, but turned the ball over on downs. Soon after, Pojoaque struck first, with Adam Pacheco launching a 35-yard touchdown pass to get the Elks on the board.
The Sundevils started a drive, with a 22-yard run from freshman Jack Purdy, but then fumbled, and Pojoaque capitalized with a touchdown run from Devonn Holmes. Soon after, on a fourth down, Pacheco threw another touchdown pass, this time to D’Sean Martinez, giving Pojoaque an early 21-0 lead.
Pojoaque scored in the third quarter with a touchdown pass to JC Fordham, a run by Holmes, and another long throw to Martinez. Española struggled to move the ball throughout the first half, and Pojoaque took a 43-0 lead into the break.
But the Sundevils came out strong in the second half looking to fight. On the first drive, they forced a three-and-out with a sack on third down, and after a punt drove into Elks’ territory, but their drive stalled.
It took until the fourth quarter for Pojoaque to close out the game, with a touchdown run by Holmes and an extra point to put them ahead 50-0 and end the game via mercy rule.
“It just helps us go into the next season motivated,” Martinez said. “It was a good win for our seniors. We couldn’t do it without one another.”
Española rotated quarterbacks for much of the game, with freshman Adrick Deleon playing most of the first half, and sophomore Nate Chacon behind center for most of the second half.
The Sundevils wrap up at a disappointing 0-3, though the program is excited about its young core.
The Elks finish their season at 2-2, and won their last two games of the year after losing the first two in mercy rules.
“We’re just a family,” Martinez said. “We’re more than just a football team. We’re brothers. It’s just a bond unbreakable, honestly.”