Jenna Chavez, GHS Student Journalist
GRANTS, N.M. — Homecoming Week at Grants High School seemed to be mostly joyous, with the assembly, carnival and Powder Puff leading up to the big football game between Grants and visiting Española Valley.
Unfortunately, the Sundevils proved to be rude visitors in a 20-14 win over Grants (2-4 overall, 1-3 District 6-4A) in a key game for both teams.
There were plenty of positives throughout the game; the Pirate offense was able to score on multiple occasions for the second straight week, and the Pirates defense was able to get to Española quarterback Ryan Trujillo and keep pressure on him.
The game started off with Pirates on defense where they were able to get a quick three and out and allow the offense to get to work. The Grants offense was just getting warmed up as, on Española Valley's third drive of the game, the Sundevils got the scoring going.
The drive started on their own 48-yard line, as they marched down the field and scored on an 18-yard pass from C. Trujillo to wide receiver Benny Trujillo.
After the extra point, the Sundevils (4-2, 3-1) led 6-0, and the Pirates responded on their very next drive.
They moved down the field from their own 39-yard line to score a 20-yard “shake and bake” touchdown by junior Daniel Garcia. Colin Lundstrom was able to get the extra point making the score 7-6 in the second with 8:54 left.
The Defense was able to hold them going into half.
Coming out of half the Pirates received the ball, but failed to score. On fourth down, Grants was set to punt it away to the Sun Devils to hopefully back them up against their own end zone. A huge blocked punt by Antonio DeVargas almost changed the momentum of the game, instead, Grants was called for a roughing-the-kicker penalty, and that gave the Sun Devils a first down near mid field.
A few plays later the Pirates needed a stop on 4th down, but the Sun Devils had other ideas using an 18yard pass to B. Trujillo to give them a first down. On the very next play B. Trujillo got the ball back on a quick slant and found the end zone for six.
Espanola tried going for two again but were stuffed, making the score 12-7 with 4:19 left in the 3rd.
On the Pirates’ ensuing drive, from their own 30, a bad snap and intentional grounding on third down ended their momentum before it even got started, and set up the Sun Devils’ next score. They didn't have to go far, starting on Grants’ 36-yard line, and after a costly horse collar penalty the Sun Devils were set up on the Grants 18-yard line. B. Trujillo then caught a touchdown in the corner of the end zone to make the score 20-7 after the twopoint conversion.
The next series on offense the Pirates started throwing the ball, getting it to Leidyn Juanico and Julian Fernandez, picking up a first and getting down the field to set up an Atanicio Gallegos seven-yard rush for a touchdown.
“It felt really good to rush in for my first touchdown,” Gallegos said. “I’m sad we lost but I'm happy I was able to help my team out.”
With seven minutes on clock, the Sun Devils proceeded to run the clock all the way down, to effectively end the game.
“Overall I think we played really well, but penalties cost us the game,” senior Ryan Rael said about the tough loss.”
Grants will now travel to Taos (2-5, 1-4) on Friday, October 9 to take on the 13th-ranked Tigers in another district matchup. The Pirates are still hunting for a spot in the playoffs, so this contest could be pivotal.
Makayla Chavez, junior, carries the football while cutting around a senior defender during the powderpuff game at Grants High School on Sept. 30. Chavez changes direction as the defender reaches for her flag.
Jay Langford- Student Journalist