The night cap of a double-header at the Socorro Activities Complex (The SAC), was slated to feature two very talented defenses, as the Eastlake Falcons hosted the Andress Eagles. With both teams being knocked out of the playoffs in the area round last season, it was palpable that they each were eager to begin the 2022 season on a positive note.
The first and only score of the first half came with 9:42 left in the first quarter, when Eastlake Quarterback, Luke Lomeli, found the endzone with a 10-yard Touchdown run. The PAT was unsuccessful, as the Falcons held onto a 6-0 lead going into halftime.
Both teams heavily relied on the run throughout the game. Both Quarterbacks – Eastlake’s Lomeli and Andress’ Elias Duncan – also got into the mix in the ground game battle, as they would consistently spearhead many Quarterback draws. Most gained positive yardage, including converting many 3rd and 4th and shorts to keep their teams’ drives going.
Andress finally got on the scoreboard with 2:46 left in the 3rd Quarter when Quarterback, Elias Duncan, called his own number with a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles up 7-6. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, Eastlake marched down the field and ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by Julius Acosta. They had a successful 2-point conversion to go up 14-7 going into the 4th Quarter.
Andress answered back with a long drive, which ended with an Elias Duncan to Shawn Owens touchdown connection to tie the ball game, 14-14, with less than 7 minutes left in the game.
The Falcons wanted to ensure that the game did not go into overtime, as they scored a pair of touchdowns with under 4 minutes left. Lomeli had a Quarterback keeper touchdown run to make it, 21-14, Eastlake with 3:31 remaining in the game.
Then, with 32 seconds left, Eastlake’s Samuel Atilano iced the game with a 10-yard touchdown run. That was the game’s final score, as the Falcons came up victorious in the season opener, 27-14.
Next week, the Falcons (1-0) will travel to Rio Rancho to take on the Rams. The Eagles (0-1) will look to bounce back, as they will travel to the west side of El Paso to take on the Franklin Cougars
Paul David Oliver Reporting