Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Tigers hope to shut down Del Norte Knights again

LLHS able to dodge Homecoming scare

John Gale News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jgale@news-bulletin.com

Los Lunas Los Lunas football won its homecoming game 22-14 over Albuquerque High, but the Tigers' offense needed its defense to bail them out with two touchdowns to come back from a 14-6 deficit midway through the third quarter.

"That's always good when the defense scores," Los Lunas coach Denvis Manns said. "It helps the offense out a lot when we're having problems and mistakes. The defense scoring those two touchdowns for us gave the guys a little more confidence. Hats off to our defense."

The Tigers (3-2) will play Del Norte at Wilson Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Neither team could get much going offensively, as each team had less than 190 yards of total offense and combined for seven turnovers. The Tigers won despite getting just six first downs the entire game.

The Bulldogs (1-4) took advantage of a botched Tiger pitch to jump out to an early 7-0 lead just five minutes into the game. AHS recovered the fumble on the pitch at Los Lunas' 2-yard line, and AHS running back Xavier Webb punched the ball in the end zone on the next play.

Los Lunas got on the board with five minutes left in the quarter when Jeffrey Smith broke a 65-yard touchdown down the right sideline, but they were unable to tie the game when Spenser Waquie's kick was blocked.

Neither team scored in the second quarter, and Los Lunas blocked the Bulldog's 32-yard field goal as time expired, so Albuquerque High took its slim 7-6 lead into halftime, where Jordon Moody and April Salas were announced as the Homecoming King and Queen.

Another Tiger fumble midway through the third quarter gave the Bulldogs a short field to work with, as they took over on Los Lunas' 22-yard line.

Albuquerque High wasted no time, scoring on the next play. Felix Dominguez' 22-yard touchdown run, cutting from left to right, gave AHS a 14-6 lead.

"We have to hold on to the ball," Manns said. "We'll work on ball-handling drills this week for our kids to be prepared to be able to hold onto the ball."

The Bulldogs looked to score again after yet another Tiger fumble, but Matt Ipock intercepted a pass with an over-the-shoulder catch along the right sideline. He turned back upfield and managed a 75-yard return for a touchdown.

After the two-point conversion failed, Los Lunas trailed 14-12 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

The Tigers took their first lead of the game when the Bulldogs' snap went back 25 yards into the end zone, with Robert Valencia recovering the ball for a touchdown. Waquie's kick gave Los Lunas a 19-14 lead.

Waquie added a 25-yard field goal with 7:20 left in the game to give the Tigers an eight-point lead.

Albuquerque High had one last chance to tie the game, but they needed to drive 94 yards to do it, and Ipock got his second interception. Ipock's pick with 12 seconds left in the game at about the Tiger 20-yard line sealed the win for his relieved team.

"We got a scare here from Albuquerque High, but the guys pulled it together, and we got the win," Manns said.

Los Lunas vs. Del Norte Wilson Stadium, Thursday, 7 p.m.

The Class 5A Tigers will have their final tune-up for district play with a game against Class 4A Del Norte on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Wilson Stadium.

"Del Norte is a lot better than they were last year," said Los Lunas coach Denvis Manns, whose team pounded the Knights 41-7 last year. "I think it's going to be an interesting game."

After being outscored 79-14 in its first two games against Albuquerque High and Sandia, Del Norte has improved with a win over Farmington, a two-point loss to Highland and 24-7 win over West Mesa on Thursday.

The Knights have rushed for more than 250 yards in each of their last three games, including 258 last week against the Mustangs.

Del Norte's veteran quarterback, Cody Blocker, amassed 119 yards on 13 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of 51 and 10 yards.

The Knights also picked up a special teams touchdown on Deion Medina's 74-yard punt return.

"Their quarterback is real tough," Los Lunas coach Denvis Manns said. "The running back and fullback are pretty solid. We've got to keep our eyes on them and contain them. They run the option real well. They get after it. They play good ball. We can't take any team lightly."

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