GRANTS, N.M. - On Friday, August 28th the 8thranked Grants football played in its first home game of the season against the 7th-ranked Valencia Jaguars.
The Pirates came into this game 1-0 beating Miyamura the previous week 28-0. Unfortunately they weren't able to pull out a win this week losing 6-2 in defensive master class from both teams.
“Our defense just played lights out, one of the best performances I’ve ever seen; our kids did really well,” head coach Gene Reidinger said. “(Valencia) scored 54 points last week against Del Norte and now this week, only six.”
In the first series out, the Pirates defense was able to get safety putting the Pirates up 2-0 in the first quarter. The Jaguars were able to respond with a touchdown pass from quarterback Santino Mares to Daniel Tafoya, but the Jaguars (2-0 overall) missed on the extra point attempt to make the score 6-2.
The Pirates struggled a bit offensively, rushing for 94 yards and only getting 18 yards through the air. But they were able to score once on a nice run by Rey Chavira, only to see it called back because of a block in the back penalty.
“We just couldn't get in the end zone,” Reidinger said, regarding the Pirate offense. “You know we were in their red zone at least seven times and we weren't able to get it done.”
Offensive lineman Dominic Riley said that the Pirate offense was clicking in the first half, but did not make the necessary adjustments in the second half.
“We were good for the first half until we fell apart after their middle linebacker started blitzing to where the ball was,” Riley said. “I was having a hard time picking that up because he’s my assignment and that caused too many broken plays for us.”
On the defensive side of the ball the defensive line was able to wreak havoc on the Jaguars offensive line. The secondary also had some big time plays.
Key players from the game include defensive tackle Antonio DeVargas who was able to rally up sacks and tackles for loss and running back/linebacker Julian Fernadez who led the team in rushing yards with 74 yards on 19 carries.
Senior tackle Jaxson Wengert had himself a good game getting a sack and tackles for loss as well.
“I felt I did my job the best I could but it doesn't matter how good I did if we don't win,” Wengert said. “Hopefully this loss will wake us up and make us work harder the rest of the season.”
The Pirates have a bye this week, and will be back looking for a win next week at home taking on the Rio Grande Ravens Friday, September 11th at “The Port.”
The Ravens will enter the contest unranked while the Pirates slipped to number 10 in the 4A Coaches Poll, which was released over the weekend.