The Los Lunas-Las Cruces 6A quarterfinal matchup went from close to distant in a heartbeat.
Read the story from the Las Cruces Sun-News
The No. 1-seed Bulldawgs (11-0) had only a seven-point advantage over the No. 8-seed Tigers (8-4) at 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter on Friday, Nov. 14, at the Field of Dreams. Los Lunas had just cut its deficit to that on its previous drive with a touchdown and thought it tied the game on an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown from Angel Aguilar.
But the play was negated due to a roughing the passer penalty, and the Bulldawgs kept the ball. They used that break to get within striking distance before the fourth quarter started, and running back Daniel Amaro scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown to give Las Cruces a 35-21 lead with 11:57 to play.
The Bulldawgs had a three-score lead five seconds later. A Los Lunas returner on the ensuing kickoff overran the ball and then thought it would bounce behind him, but it landed perfectly at the one-yard line before Las Cruces cornerback Isaac Gomez recovered it. Amaro punched it in one play later, and the two teams would score one more touchdown apiece in the Bulldawgs’ 49-29 victory.
“That was huge,” Las Cruces coach Mark Lopez said. “I think when Isaac recovers that fumble, it’s just a great hustle play on that kickoff. I think their kid obviously had a little lapse in judgment, but if Isaac’s not hustling the whole way, you don’t get an opportunity to make that play.”
The team will play in the 6A semifinals against the winner of the La Cueva vs. Centennial game.
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