NMMI Sports Press
Cole Seidenberger tossed two touchdowns to Alex Sanchez, one to tie the game in the fourth quarter and another to keep the Colts alive in overtime, but failed special teams plays derailed the Institute’s chances for a comeback victory over the visiting Loving Falcons Friday night at Colt Field.
After giving up an early touchdown to the Falcons, the NMMI defense kept the home team in the game with takeaways and tight coverage. Midway through the third quarter, the Loving offense drove into the Colt red zone looking to increase their lead, but the defense was up to the task.
NMMI pushed the Falcons back to the 17-yard line with a big sack by sophomore linebacker Alejandro Piedras with an assist from junior lineman Samuel McCargish. Senior defensive back Santiago Lordmendez and Sanchez knocked down Loving pass attempts in the end zone on third and fourth down, giving the Colts new life late in the third quarter.
The cadets started their drive with a well-timed reverse to junior running back Cohen Tomasits. The Falcons blitzed as Seidenberger pitched left to Sanchez, who immediately tossed to the speedy Tomasits who found the right edge and took the ball up the home sideline to the Colt 43-yard line.
The Colts moved the ball with relative ease behind strong running from Piedras. Disaster was avoided on one Piedras carry when the ball was knocked loose, but an alert William Rosser smothered the ball to retain possession.
On first down at the Loving 12-yard line, Seidenberger took a 10-yard sack and the following two plays brought the Colts close to the original line of scrimmage for fourth-and-long.
The Colts lined up in a split back formation with Tomasits on the left and senior Leonardo Lopez on the right, with Sanchez as the wingback to the right and a wideout on each side. Tomasits motioned to the right, drawing the defense while Sanchez hesitated as if staying to block, then quickly darted to the end zone for an easy touchdown grab.
Steven Griego’s PAT kick was blocked, but he managed to scoop it up before the Falcons could head the other way with it.
On the ensuing Loving drive, the Colts forced a punt at midfield where Tomasits came untouched off the right edge and got a hand on the booted ball and McCargish jumped on it, giving the Colts a fresh set of downs at the Loving 40-yard line.
On the first play of the drive, Piedras slashed his way to the 25, but the sledding got tougher as the Falcons stuffed the next three plays, including another attempt at a reverse. On fourth down, Seidenberger found Sanchez on a short slant and the speedy junior beat the Falcon defenders to the edge before being brought down at the 5-yard line.
The Colts tried three times to punch the ball into the endzone but were denied, leading to a short field goal attempt by Griego that sailed wide right.
The Falcons took over with seconds remaining in regulation and decided to take their chances in overtime rather than attempt a long, risky pass.
The NMMI defense held Loving at bay for three downs, but on fourth-and-goal, Falcon quarterback Kaleb Rodriguez scrambled and tossed to a wide open Kysiah Lujan, waiting for the low pass on his knees just inside the goal line. Loving converted the game’s only successful PAT to go up 13-6.
On the Colts’ first offensive overtime play from the 10-yard line, a quick pitch left to Tomasits was sniffed out for a short loss.
On second down, Seidenberger faked the pitch right and split the rushing defenders but was met by a Falcon in the open field before he could get rid of the ball.
On third down from the 15, Seidenberger was swallowed up on the QB keeper.
On fourth down, the Colts lined up in the shotgun with Lopez in the backfield and three receivers on the left side. Seidenberger rolled left and lobbed a perfect strike to a wide-open Sanchez backpedaling at the goal line.
The Colts elected to go for the win and lined up for the two-point try in a wishbone formation. After the snap, Seidenberger faked the handoff and the entire play moved right while he went left, but Loving’s Giovanni Ruiz trailed the NMMI signal caller and met him at the five.
Ruiz lowered his shoulder and Seidenberger tried to truck through the Falcon, but fell forward as he was wrapped up, fully extending the ball and planting it a yard shy of the goal line. Game over. Falcons win 13-12.
In the most tightly-contested, low-scoring game of the season, the Colts desperately missed the big, accurate leg of Hunter Terry. The injured sophomore from Houston has converted most of his PAT tries and nailed a 40-yard field goal in less than ideal conditions at Cloudcroft.
Despite the loss, the Colts (4-2) showed poise under pressure and will surely take lessons from this game into next week’s district opener against Hope Christian. The Huskies (2-4) have lost four-straight, three against higher classified teams.