A challenging night for the Grants High School Pirates in their second home game of the season at the 3-A Dexter Demons rolled into town last Friday and in a penalty heavy game for both teams the Demons came out on top at the end of the night by a score of 34-12.
“We knew Dexter was going to be a very tough team—I am sure their #2 ranking is absolutely legit,” said GHS head Coach Steve Brown of the game. “I bet they win their district and end up undefeated.”
Brown shared his insights on that game. “We wanted to stop their powerful wishbone run game and force them to pass,” said Brown. “We really need to put some emphasis on our coverage this week,” Brown added.
Dexter scored a touchdown in the first quarter and second quarter with the two point conversions no good; they ended up with 12 points in the first half to the Pirates six points.
The Pirates scored in the second quarter off a quarterback keeper by GHS Quarterback Tristin Fernandez who ran it in for 12 yards. The extra point attempt was muffled and no point was earned.
“Only being down 12 at the half, we felt we could make a comeback—but the unfortunate fumble in our opening drive stopped us in our tracks,” said Brown.
Dexter scored a touchdown and a two point conversion to make the score 20-6 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
“I do like how our kids fought the entire game and never quit,” said Brown of that second half action.
Brown praised his defense in that game and stated, “Once again our defense provided us with three extra opportunities by forcing and recovering three fumbles—but our offense was unable to capitalize on them—-something we will focus on this week.”
In the fourth quarter Fernandez was able to find Boudy Melonas, a senior, for the Pirates second touchdown of the night, however, the extra point attempt was not successful. Dexter added 14 points to their lead in the fourth quarter.
Pirate quarterback duo Tristin Fernadez and DJ Chavez combined for 25 pass attempts and six receptions for a total of 42 yards. Dexter’s quarter back, CJ Granados, a sophomore, attempted 23 passes for 13 completions and 211 total yards. Rushing Fernandez led the Pirates with 30 yards followed by DJ Chavez with 17 yards. Senior Adres Lazos had 19 yards rushing.
Boudy Melonas led with receiving yardage with 23 yards followed by Cardenio Chavez with 13 yards.
Omar Loya for Dexter rushed 69 yards followed by Kaesn George with 61 yards.
Loya also had 55 yards receiving and had a total of two touchdowns while George led the Demons in touchdowns with three.
The Pirates will head to Espanola Valley (3-0) this upcoming weekend.
“For our game against Espanola, we are really going back to the basics and focusing on the little things that made us successful last year,” said Brown.
“More attention to detail from pre-practice warmups to individual position drills and responsibilities for each position—this is our first district game—at 3-0—it will be a tough contest”.
The game is set for 6pm Friday at Espanola Valley High School.