NMMI Sports Press
The Broncos jumped out to a 13-point lead and stayed ahead until the final minute of the first half, but couldn't keep the offense rolling as the eighth-ranked Trinity Valley Cardinals held on to hand NMMI a 39-33 loss in their final conference game of the season.
After the hard-fought game, third-year head coach Kurt Taufa'asau had nothing but positive words for his team that has had its ups and downs this season, but deserved praise after giving their all in a contest that could've went either way.
"I'm so proud of these guys. It's not fun to come out on the losing side of things, but I can't fault our effort today," Taufa'asau said. "It's homecoming, we have a lot of alumni and old friends visiting, and I know these guys wanted this one bad, but you live and learn and we'll be alright. We still have a lot to play for this season and we won't stop working for it."
Sophomore quarterback Kobe Muasau scored two early touchdowns — a 58-yard catch-and-run to top receiver Andre Hall and a goal line QB sneak — to get the homecoming crowd fired up, but it didn't take long for the Cardinals' two-headed monster rushing attack to start moving downhill and get TVCC back in it.
The Broncos maintained the lead with an early second-quarter touchdown pass to running back Montahj Joseph and another keeper for Muasau, but a short boot by fill-in placekicker Aipolo Mahoni gave the Cardinals a short field and they made NMMI pay with three-straight 13-plus yard carries by Hammond Drinkard into the end zone.
The final two NMMI possessions of the first half ended with a Muasau fumble and a quick three-and-out. Trinity took their first lead after a short punt by linebacker Damon Mayberry, also filling in for the depleted special teams unit, lead to a quick scoring drive and the Broncos went to the locker room down 32-26.
Taufa'asau emphasized that he's proud of his guys that have stepped up to fill positions they have little to no experience playing.
"It's like I always tell our team, we're all we've got," he said. "A lot gets said about kickers and punters, but it isn't easy and these guys have worked hard the last couple weeks to be able to help us out at those spots. It obviously isn't ideal, but they've shown they can be effective and I'm proud of them."
After giving up their highest first-half point total all season, the Bronco defense (and special teams) flipped the script in the second 30 minutes.
Logan May forced and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the third quarter and the Black Swarm took away back-to-back Cardinal possessions to open the fourth quarter right after the Broncos pulled within six points off a Jospeh touchdown carry.
The Broncos kept Trinity off the scoreboard the rest of the way and the offense drove 72 yards to the Cardinals' 29 with under a minute to go and two timeouts remaining, but with the field squeezed Muasau couldn't find an open receiver for a tying touchdown.
Muasau completed 21 of his 55 pass attempts for 234 yards and two scores with no picks and one fumble. He was sacked twice.
Hall had a career day with 12 snags for 177 yards and the early touchdown. Joseph carried the ball 23 times for 99 yards and caught a 13-yard touchdown with no negative plays.
Mayberry led the defense with seven tackles, including two for a total loss of five yards. Defensive backs Stilton McKelvey and Marcus Works each forced a fumble, and defensive lineman Jabez Aloalii-Maanaima and NJCAA Player of the Week linebacker Johnny Fano recovered the loose balls.
Taufa'asau wore his emotions on his sleeve during the post-game huddle. The former NMMI, University of Wyoming and NFL defensive lineman has never been shy about showing love for his players and coaches, regardless of the outcome on the field.
"I believe in this group. We can still finish in the top four and go on the road to try and earn a conference championship and I believe we will accomplish that," he said. "When I took this job I wanted to make NMMI a perennial power in one of the toughest conferences in the country and that's still always the goal."
The Broncos are scheduled to play the Papago Pumas at the Wool Bowl next Saturday (Nov. 4) at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed live at KSVPtv.com free of charge.