Whether the number is 23, 22 or 21 games, one thing is for certain.
The Espanola Valley High School football losing streak to Los Alamos is over.
The Sundevils ended a decades-long streak of futility against host Los Alamos Friday night by outlasting the Hilltoppers, 21-18, at Sullivan Field.
According to athletic director Matt Abeyta, Espanola Valley’s last victory over the Hilltoppers occurred in 2002, 14-12.
Now, the new number is one as in one Sundevil victory in the 2024 season-opener.
The emotion by players, coaches, students and fans spilled over the Sullivan Field astroturf.
“It’s not just for teammates and coaches,” Espanola Valley senior running back Victor Parra, whose 43-yard third-quarter touchdown scamper gave the Sundevils a lead they would not relinquish.
“It’s for the managers, the cheerleaders and the community. We want to represent something that community can be proud of. We know they’re behind us,” Parra said.
Parra led a punishing Sundevil ground attack, gaining 185 yards on 23 carries and two scores. Espanola Valley junior Cody Coffeen added a touchdown run and came up with a crucial late interception.
“We have mettle in here and in here,” Sundevil head coach Tylon Wilder said pointing to his chest and his head. “I am pumped for these players. We fought to the end.”
The Espanola defense, led by Nick Sandoval, chased Los Alamos quarterback out of bounds on a 4th-down-and-18 play with 4 minutes, 11 seconds remaining effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Hilltopper comeback.
In other area season-opening high school football action Friday, Pojoaque shut out Crownpoint, 53-0. Hagerman/Lake Arthur edged Dulce, 20-12, while host Tatum downed Escalante, 46-30.