Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
For the first time since 1978, the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team has recorded back to back shutouts.
In front of the home crowd at the Wool Bowl, the Broncos capped off the regular season with a 72-0 rout of the Rezolution Prep Academy Wildcats on Saturday afternoon.
RPA College was held to -57 yards of offense in the game.
It didn't take long for the Broncos (5-3) to assert their dominance. To finish off a seven-play opening drive, Ephraim Tuliloa connected with Quantavius Moore for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Wildcat offense fumbled on a fourth-and-22 attempt, which was recovered by Carson Sullivan to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Grant with 11:15 in the first quarter.
Another failed fourth down conversion by RPA College led to a quick three-play drive that resulted in a 23-yard touchdown reception by Sixten Dragan from Tuliloa.
RPA College tallied 10 fumbles in the contest, five of which were lost.
Chance Starling had a five-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the next offensive drive for the Wildcats.
With 8:34 remaining in the first quarter, James Gallegos extended NMMI's lead to 35-0 on an eight-yard touchdown run.
The Wildcats reached midfield for the first time in the quarter but their drive stalled on a failed fourth-and-nine attempt.
NMMI was forced to punt on the next series and then RPA College turned over on downs once again.
Tuliloa ran into the end zone on a five-yard keeper to make the score 42-0 at the end of a long first quarter.
A thunderstorm rolled into the area which caused a delay in the action as the Broncos were on the verge of scoring.
As the storm passed over, Gallegos scored his second rushing touchdown, this time from seven yards out to make the score 49-0 with 2:08 left until the break.
With an abbreviated halftime, the second half got started quickly as the Wildcats couldn't convert on fourth-and-one.
Former Roswell High standout Dominic Nava later scored on a one-yard run. After the failed two-point conversion, the Broncos were way out in front 55-0 with 4:21 left in the third quarter.
Charlie Leota got the ball back for the NMMI offense with a fumble recovery. William Testa got three points with a 26-yard field goal.
A botched hand off on the next offensive series for RPA College led to a 50-yard touchdown on a fumble recovered by Matai Suitonu.
Holding a 65-point lead, Gallegos notched his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon on a four-yard carry with under 40 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Gallegos, a former product of Volcano Vista in Albuquerque, finished with 12 carries for 46 yards.
NMMI recorded 149 rushing yards.
Nava had five rushes for 25 yards while Tuliloa picked up 57 yards on six carries. The Broncos finished with 182 yards of total offense.
Tuliloa also completed two of four passes for 33 yards.