Aztecs Lose Late against Montwood Rams 47-44

By: Alex Thompson Sports Editor

The long awaited rivalry game against El Dorado and Montwood hit the Socorro Student Activities Complex Thursday night in a twist of events leading to the Rams win at 47-44. The Aztecs drop to 3-2 on the season, even though when the Aztecs looked strong throughout the game.

Montwood starts the drive of the first quarter, leading with a 14-0 lead. Late in the quarter, the Aztecs remained on their lifeline as senior Tyquez Hampton scored a touchdown with an added two-point conversion to set up 14-8.

The second quarter was the offensive and defensive push both teams needed to warm up. Senior Jonathan Zarate forced a safety giving El Dorado total advantage of the quarter and later on sophomore Christian Gonzalez caught an interception. Junior Cameron Hill and Corey McCoy caught impressive catches, as well as junior Cedarious Barfield who ran in a quarterback keep.

El Dorado was up entering the locker room at 30-26. Impressive scoring by both teams have each hanging on the ropes to jump out at a late lead.

The third quarter started with a costly mistake, as the Rams recover the ball off the kickoff. Soon after Montwood scores, taking the opportunity quickly. The Aztecs receive another touchdown from senior Keysean Watson, tugging at the lead with 37-34 on the scoreboard.

The fourth quarter was brilliant in the eyes of avid football watchers. No late lead is ever safe. Even with Senior Kevin Henderson running an evasive and intimidating run to bring up a two possession lead, it wasn’t enough to stop the pursuing Rams.

“I was happy, the line did an amazing job and the receivers in the secondary did a great job blocking,” said Henderson. “We can’t let games like this happen, so we’ve gotta keep working.”

Montwood ended the game the same way they started it. Two touchdowns back to back ended the clock for El Dorado at 47-44.

The defensive side of the Aztecs failed to stop the Rams under their own five-yard line at fourth down, leading to a series of plays that won the game.

El Dorado had their eyes set on a comeback play with under 50 seconds left on the clock. Hampton moved the chains down the field and the last play was bombed out to Watson.

“It was a big dream that I’ve had to come in clutch at the last seconds of the game and win,” commented Watson. “Unfortunately it didn’t happen, but this will make me work harder to be the player my team wants me to be.”

Next week the Aztecs face the Socorro Bulldogs Friday night at the SAC @ 7:00 p.m. El Dorado looks to get a win next week to improve their status overall as a team.