Recent history repeated itself in the latest District 2-4A outing for the Pojoaque Valley High School football team in their Oct. 19 Homecoming matchup versus Bernalillo High School.
The Elks (2-6, 0-3 District) dropped their third straight game since their Sept. 20 victory over McCurdy Charter School, allowing 50-plus points in all three defeats.
The Spartans (6-2, 2-1) left Pojoaque with a commanding 50-0 victory to rebound from their 45-2 loss to St. Pius X the week prior.
Bernalillo quarterback Damian Gutierrez started the night with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Reyes Ludi-Herrera – and that foreshadowed what was to be seen later, as Ludi-Herrera caught three more touchdowns and finished with 128 yards receiving on five receptions.
Gutierrez finished 11-of-18 passing for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Ayden Madrid, Aron Neely and Jaden Cate also caught touchdowns.
With an identical record as the Elks, it’s been almost an identical struggle for Española Valley High School. The Sundevils lost their latest game in a road trip to Grants High School that ended in a score of 41-8.
Things won’t get any easier for each squad as Pojoaque travels to Taos (7-1, 2-1) — who will be eager to retake the field after suffering their first defeat of the season to St. Pius — and Española hosts the Sartans (5-3, 3-0) in what was supposed to be a non-spectator event due to part of the sanctions handed down after their Oct. 5 brawl with Bernalillo.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Oct. 19 that parents of St. Pius seniors will be allowed to attend the game after St. Pius athletic director Jim Cook and parents of two Sartans’ players appealed to the New Mexico Activities Association’s Board of Directors.
Both the Elks and Sundevils will most likely be searching for the third win of the season when the two square-off against each other to end the season Nov. 2 at Pojoaque.
Class 2A
The Escalante High School Lobos already know they’re going to make the state playoffs, but their seeding will depend on the outcome in their critical, take-all matchup 7 p.m., Friday at Newcomb High School, which will be for the District 2-2A title.
The Skyhawks enter the matchup at 9-0 and 3-0 in the District after handling Mission Achievement & Success 54-0 last week.
Players to watch for Newcomb include quarterback Deondre Begay (51-of-99 passing, 1,078 yards, 17 touchdowns and 820 rushing yards), Deontay Begay (1,166 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns) and Kelkenny Watchman (54 solo tackles, nine sacks, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and 15 offensive touchdowns).
The Lobos (7-2, 3-0) got some extra help from Questa High School in the form of rest, as the Wildcats forfeited their Oct. 20 road game in Tierra Amarilla.
McCurdy Charter School (0-8) was idle this week and is scheduled to play their final game at home 1 p.m., Saturday against Questa (1-5), who’s only victory of the season came against the Raton High School junior varsity.