Manzano defeats Bernalillo in penalty-filled 4A opener
The Monarchs overcame a first-half deficit to win 39-24, ending the Spartans' season at Wilson Stadium.
By Andrew Bennett ·
Rio Rancho secured a road upset against a regular-season opponent, while Bernalillo faced a similar matchup with a different outcome. The Bernalillo Spartans lost to the Manzano Monarchs 39-24 on Saturday in the first round of the Nusenda Credit Union 4A Football Championships.
The game took place at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque. Bernalillo entered the contest as the 10th seed, seeking revenge after a 44-14 loss to Manzano on Oct. 30. The Spartans played more competitively this time, keeping the score close until the final minutes, but they could not change the result.
Penalties defined the first half. Each of the first two quarters saw double-digit penalty counts. The second quarter lasted nearly an hour. Referees frequently stopped play for false starts, holding, roughing the passer, and offsides. These calls kept the contest tight by disrupting momentum for both offenses and defenses.
Bernalillo took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Spartans opened the scoring with a field goal. Manzano then muffed the kickoff, and Brandon Lovato recovered the fumble for Bernalillo. Running back Davontae Richards finished the drive with a rushing touchdown to extend the lead.
Manzano responded late in the second quarter. Diego Garcia rushed for a touchdown to give the Monarchs their first lead, though they missed the extra point. Bernalillo immediately retaken the lead when Riley Tafoya returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Tafoya also recorded an interception on Manzano's first drive of the game. The Spartans led 17-12 at halftime.
Manzano dominated the second half with 27 points. Broden Price scored on a 72-yard punt return to shift momentum. Bernalillo's defense struggled in the second half, conceding three roughing-the-passer penalties on a single drive. Those penalties gave Manzano a goal-to-go situation that resulted in a touchdown.
Richards added another rushing touchdown for Bernalillo, aided by favorable field position from Manzano penalties. The Monarchs pulled away in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns, including another long score by Price. Manzano advanced to face St. Pius X in the quarterfinals. Bernalillo's season ended with the loss.
This result reverses a trend from last season, when Bernalillo eliminated Manzano in the first round. The Spartans will return to practice after the season ends, while the Monarchs prepare for their next match.
