Saturday, September 27, 2003

Eldorado hands Tigers first loss

News-Bulletin Staff Reports

Albuquerque; The Los Lunas High School football team was unable to spoil Eldorado's Homecoming Friday night in Albuquerque where the Tigers suffered their first loss of the season, 17-14, to the Eagles.

"Our guys came in this 3-0 thinking it was going to be an easy game. This proved it wasn't," said first-year Tiger coach Bobby Campos, whose team had previously beaten Del Norte, Belen and Rio Grande. "I don't think it was overconfidence. It's hard to describe. I don't think they were as focused as they should have been."

Eldorado posted the first points in the contest on a field goal by Kimberly Tebo with 2:13 left in the first half.

Los Lunas answered back on the next play. On the kickoff return, Chris Gallegos gave the ball to Jason Gallegos, who handed it off to Carlos Carrasco. The junior ran for an 80-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers up, 6-3.

Johnny Sanchez scored on an 11-yard run two minutes into the third period, and Gabe Apodaca added the Tigers' final points on the 2-point conversion, putting Los Lunas ahead, 14-3.

Late in the quarter, Eagle quarterback Chris Roberts connected with Ryan Rohlke on a 29-yard TD pass, and Tebo kicked the PAT to cut the deficit to 14-10.

And, in what Campos described as a miscommunication, Eldorado gained possession on the Los Lunas 29 midway through the final period when the Tigers ran the ball instead of punting it on fourth down. The Eagles took advantage of the good field position and cashed in with the winning score.

"Hopefully, our kids learn that we've got to come out and play every single game," Campos said.

Los Lunas plays its Homecoming game at 7 p.m. next Friday night against West Mesa.

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