The Silver Foxes were off to a great start going into their homecoming game against the reeling Indians. The previous week saw Ysleta lose to rival Riverside during their own homecoming game and now were looking to spoil Jeffersons festivities. Both programs were coming into the match up with winning record, Ysleta 2-1 and Jeff 3-0, respectively.
The home team wasted no time getting on the board first. Their 5 min, 74 yd opening drive was capped off when quarterback Nathan Alcala went in for the game’s first score and put the Silver Foxes up first. The two point conversion was good and they were up 8-0.
Ysleta turned the ball over on an interception in their opening drive. Alcala would take his team down 80 yards in 5 plays to extend their lead 14-0 when Alcala connected with his wide receiver Ramon Gomez. Jeff opted for another two attempt but were unable to convert.
The Indians second possession ended much like their first with another interception by Alcala himself on defense. He would get his second passing touchdown of the quarter on a 52 yard touchdown pass to put the Silver Foxes up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
What seemed as a lingering hangover from the loss to Riverside last week and another win for Jefferson was put to a halt in the second quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Ysleta quarterback Damian Contreras completed a 48 yard touchdown pass to his wideout Isaiah Jurado to cut into the Jeff lead. The Indians defense came alive as they cooled down the Silver Fox offense and gave Contreras another opportunity on offense.
Contreras would have his second touchdown pass of the quarter when he threw a 41 yard sideline pass to wider receiver Andres Martinez, putting Ysleta down by seven points. After another defensive stop and penalties by the Jeff, Ysleta got the ball back in the late moments of the half. Contreras got his third touchdown pass of the game on a pass to wide receiver Gavin Espino to tie the game up at halftime.
The third quarter turned into a defensive back and forth game of chess as neither offenses could do much until Jefferson scored in the final two minutes of the third quarter. Running back Arturo Rubio broke free and ran for a 42 yd dash towards the end zone to put the Silver Foxes up 28-21 to end the quarter.
Ysleta would tie things up when running back Tommy Ringo ran for a 3 yd touchdown run with 8:08 to go in the game. Jefferson seemed to have things under control as they went on near four minute drive to put them back up. Alcala called his own number and ran in for a 10 yd run. Jefferson wasn’t able to convert on the crucial extra point when a miscommunication at the snap proved to be a determining factor in the game.
With time running out on the visiting Indians, Contreras took his team down to the Jefferson red zone. After several failed attempts at getting into the end zone, the game came down to one last chance for Ysleta to pull off the 21 point deficit.
Contreras would call a quarterback sneak with :08 second left in the game on the final down for the Indians. The ensuing point after kick sealed the come from behind 35-34 win for Ysleta, giving the Silver Foxes their first loss of the season.
Jefferson faces Burges in their next game and Ysleta hosts El Dorado in theirs.
After the game, Ysleta Coach Joe Martinez talked about the come from behind win:
Henry Reyna, Tony Grijalva and Ace Acosta reporting