Bernalillo High School - Spartan Yearbook (Bernalillo, NM)

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Football

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Spartans lose another, yet they remain optimistic By Jay P. Tharlngcr The Bernalillo Spartans varsity football team suffered another one of their heartbreaking losses last Satur- day against West Las Vegas, 29-8. The first quarter was, for the most part, competitive. But in the second quarter. West Las Vegas decided they had had enough of competition and ran away with the ballgamc. With an incredible series of scoring drives, Vegas accumulated 20 points in five minutes late in the second quar- ter. Vegas scored on runs from five, seven and four yards out. In the second half, they would score again on a 49-yard touchdown pass and a field goal. In the meantime, the Spartans pro- duced nothing but penalties. They were cl urged with 265 yards worth of penalties in the first half alone. When they weren’t being penalized, the Spartans were afflicted by turnovers. “We moved the ball real well between the 30-yard lines, said Spar- tan coach Chris Jaramillo. But when we got near the goal line, we just couldn't punch it in. The Spartans did eventually punch it in late in the fourth quarter, saving the shutout. A 65-yard passing play from Berna- lillo quarterback Bill Baker to Cary Fierro almost went for six points, but Fierro was stopped three yards short of paydirt. Shortly after, senior Brian Perez ran in from a few yards out finally putting the Spartans on the board. Perez would run in again, giving the Spartans a 2-point conversion. Perez rushed for 85 yards on 12 car- ries on the day and Fierro caught three passes for 135 yards. Despite only one win on the season, the Spartans remain optimistic. “We’re still keeping after it.” said Jramillo, who is already preparing for next week's game against frontrunner Espanola. '•They're a good team, it'll be a challenge, said Jaramillo. “But we’re not giving in. The game will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Espanola. Spartans end By Jay P. Tharlngcr Under dark clouds and threats of run, the Bernalillo Spartans ended a gloomy season Saturday by losing to the Albuquerque Academy Chargers, 21-0. The Spartans finish 1-9 on the season. Although outsized, the Spartans played perhaps their best defensive game of the season by hilling hard and hitting quick off the line. The Chargers stuck primarily to a running game, rarely picking up more than four or fise yards at time. But as the day wore on, those runs would get longer and longer. With 42 seconds left in live first half, live Chargers pul their first points on the board on a run from three yards out. Thirty seconds remained in the half as the Spartans took over possession and took to the air, only to have their passing game backfire. On 2nd-and 10, Spartan quarter- back Bill Baker threw an interception on a missed pattern pass down field. The Chargers returned the ball far enough down field to add a field goal with 11 seconds remaining. The half ended 9-0. The Chargers penetrated the end zone once again early in the third quar- ter from 3 yards out. The extra point was good for the 160 lead. Confident with the lead, the Char- gers took to the air in the fourth quar- ter. somewhat successfully. Bernalillo sophomore Pat Lovato dark season took advantage of the air bom ball by nabbing two interceptions on two con- secutive Charger possessions. But however strong the defense, the Spar- tan offense couldn't produce the points. Working deep in their own end, and from the shotgun, a high snap sailed over Baker's head and out the back of the end zone for a Charger safety. Midway through the fourth quarter the Chargers added three more points on a field goal from 14 yards out to win the game 21-0. The !9$7 Spartan football team did hive a rough reason Everyone who participated deserved more credit than they've received. Our Team had to put up with tremendous amounts of ridicule and criticism throughout the season. Remarks and comments were made about our previous game, and a majority of them weren't exactly supportive. So. how bad did you lose this week t We've heard it aff. and yes. it does get frustrating after a while. Sure, we could have given up. but we're not quitters, ft would have been very easy for anyone of us to turn in our equipment and join the critics. We would have enjoyed just going home after school to relax, but instead we showed up at practice. Repetition and execution of plays is boring and is even more difficult when the team Isn't winning. Sometimes the desire and dedication wasn’t at the level in which it should have been. Those who did believe in us. such as the coaching staff and a few loyal fans, knew what we went through. In my opinion. Chris JaranuOo did an outstanding job coaching and helping the team maintain a positive attitude. With aB the work he has done for us. most of which has gone unappreciated. I know he wrB be rewarded by his efforts sometime in the future. Considering the unexperienced group he had to work with, he showed the same enthusiasm that another coach might with a championship team. Thai's probably the main source of motivation that kept us all from losing hope. The whole football team were winners themselves, because they never ga vr up and they supported each other when no one else would. B Baker ,1 114