Jaguars pull away from rival

Atrisco Heritage took Valley’s best shot last week. The Jaguars took West Mesa’s best shot this week.

They emerged unscathed both times.

Atrisco scored touchdowns on two interceptions and a kickoff return in the decisive second half Friday night, and the Jaguars took a major step toward another District 4-6A championship with a 38-20 victory over West Mesa at Nusenda Community Stadium.

“We just wanted it more than they did,” said Atrisco Heritage running back Angel Ramirez, who had a scoring run and one of those interception returns, both in the fourth quarter. “This is probably our biggest rival, and they got us last year, and so we came out with the attitude that we wouldn’t let them take it from us this year.”

The game was tied at 20 through three quarters. Atrisco Heritage scored 18 points in a span of 1:20 to break it wide open.

It was already 26-20 — the result of a Ramirez 1-yard TD run with 10:03 to go — when West Mesa receiver Camren Schroer, on an ill-advised option pass that he let fly under duress, was intercepted by Rashawn Moore. Moore darted 46 yards the other way for a 32-20 lead with 9:48 left in the game.

West Mesa quarterback Gabe Ramirez was intercepted by Angel Ramirez moments later, and Angel — the state’s leading rusher — showed his open-field ability by racing 59 yards to the house and a 38-20 advantage with 8:43 to go.

And with that, the Jaguars had not only wrapped up this game, but likely much more. Atrisco Heritage’s schedule is fairly easy down the stretch, and a fourth consecutive 4-6A title seems a foregone conclusion.

“We’re not relaxed, put it that way,” Jags coach Patrick Johnson said with a smile.

West Mesa’s rush offense was steady in the first half, gaining 124 yards. The Jaguars clogged the middle and took away running lanes from the Mustangs in the second half, when West Mesa gained just 24 yards.

The Mustangs (4-3, 1-1) had the first lead, on Mark Garcia’s 3-yard TD run. Atrisco came back with a 22-yard TD pass from Mikey Alvidrez to Jordan Marquez — the only pass the Jaguars completed all night.

West Mesa went back in front 13-8 on a 28-yard scamper by Garcia, but Atrisco inched in front 14-13 on an 18-yard TD run by Alvidrez early in the second quarter.

Schroer caught a 55-yard TD pass from Gabe Ramirez for a 20-14 West Mesa lead to start the third quarter, but Luis Arenas returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards for an Atrisco score and a 20-20 tie.

As for Angel Ramirez, he finished with a quiet 126 yards on 19 carries.