Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Broncos buck Magdalena offense

Nat Holland El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

The Floyd Broncos downed the Magdalena High School Steers 22-15 on Friday, Sept. 27.

"I thought we played fairly well, but Floyd is a good team," Magdalena coach Marvin Martin said.

The Broncos scored on their opening drive, but failed to convert for two extra points to start off with a 6-0 lead five minutes into the game.

Steer Robbie Zamora returned an interception for 65-yards to put Magdalena on the board with two minutes left in the first quarter. Soiky Sosa's kick was good to give the Steers the lead, which they would hold until midway through the second quarter.

The game turned into a sort of punting battle in which neither offense was able to gain much ground.

Magdalena Punter Reggie Peralto helped keep Magdalena in the game and slow down the Cowboys with several good punts — his top kick maxing out at 55-yards. Peralto has averaged about 43 yards in his punts for the season.

"To be able to put them back on the line (deep in their zone) is huge for the defense," Martin said. "I can't say enough about Reggie Peralto — he's a pretty good weapon."

With 7:35 left in the first half, Floyd's R.J. Berry made a 7-yard touchdown run, and the Broncos successfully converted for two to pull ahead by 7-points.

The Steers started the second half with a good kickoff return that placed them on the Bronco's 46-yard line. Only 90 seconds into the second half, Don McKinley broke through for a 37-yard touchdown run. Briar Billa ran in the conversion to put Magdalena on top 15-14.

Floyd answered with another touchdown three minutes later on the following drive.

Magdalena was able to get as close as 13 yards out from scoring, but the Bronco defense held strong.

"We just never got any offense started," Martin said. "We had opportunities to score and we didn't capitalize."

Magdalena rushed for 142 yards, only 20 less than Floyd, but was really hurt with incomplete passes. Quarterback Brandon Harding finished 4-for-18 for only 20 yards of passing.

Lineman Nick Padilla is out for the season after receiving a knee injury the week before in the game against Foothill, and Martin is still looking for other players to step up and fill his role.

Magdalena is hosting three 8-Man games this Saturday, Oct. 4. Reserve will play Tatum at 1 p.m., Animas will play Gateway Christian at approximately 3 p.m., and Magdalena will finish off the day with a game against Valley Christian at 7 p.m.

nholland@dchieftain.com

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