Smith, Eagles go wild in win over Bulldawgs
Senior quarterback accounts for 9 TDs in 70-42 victory
LAS CRUCES — The only thing ordinary about Eldorado High School’s senior quarterback on Friday night was his last name.
Gabe Smith was simply magnificent for the Eagles, accounting for nine touchdowns — the last one being a 96-yard scamper on a third-and-35 play — as Eldorado destroyed Las Cruces 70-42 at the Field of Dreams.
From the man who also coached Zach Gentry at that position came these postgame words from Eldorado coach Charlie Dotson: “I’ve never had a quarterback have a performance like that.”
Smith threw for four touchdowns and ran for five more as Eldorado (2-0) overwhelmed the Bulldawgs (1-1), scoring 42 points in the first 15 minutes.
Smith rushed for more than 300 yards and threw for more than 300. Unofficially, he was close to 650 yards in total offense.
“If we can complete passes like we are, it’s tough (to defend us),” Dotson said in a phone interview.
Smith’s TD runs covered 96, 77, 44, 20 and 19 yards. Three of his four TD passes went to Zack Hofman, who caught throws covering 62, 40 and 64 yards. And Hofman also supplied a key diving interception in the first half that proved pivotal.
Ben West had the 10th score for Eldorado, which came one play after a 50-yard completion from Smith to Trey Duran, who earlier had caught the other TD pass for the Eagles.
Eldorado at one point led 49-14. Las Cruces cut the deficit to 49-35, but got no closer.
“We got them at a good time. They played on Saturday afternoon (last weekend),” Dotson said. “That’s a big thing. That makes a big difference in football.”
Eldorado faces 2-0 Cleveland on Thursday night at Wilson Stadium. Las Cruces plays La Cueva at Wilson on Friday. VOLCANO VISTA 56, DEL NORTE 6: At Nusenda Community Stadium, the Hawks’ offense scored those 56 points on fewer than 25 offensive snaps. Blaine Grant and Joah Flores each scored a pair of touchdowns in the victory. MANZANO 33, RIO GRANDE 6: At Milne Sta-
dium, quarterback Dakota Powell threw four TD passes, and receiver Austin Erickson had a big night as the Monarchs (1-1) earned their first victory for interim head coach Phillip Martinez.
The Ravens (0-2) saw their losing streak extended to 39 games.
SANDIA 62, ATRISCO HERITAGE 31: At Wilson Stadium, QB Junior Silva threw for 186 yards and three TDs, and Deante Bernard had a pair of TD receptions as the Matadors (1-1) beat the Jaguars (0-2). LOS LUNAS 35, ALAMOGORDO 12: In Alamogordo, senior QB Nick Gaerlan threw one TD and ran for two others as the Tigers (2-0) handed Alamogordo (0-2) its 13th loss in a row. BELEN 26, FARMINGTON 12: In Belen, Alexes Aguilar caught three TD passes, and tailback Diego Casillas rushed for 185 yards and a score as the Eagles (2-0) won a sloppy affair over the Scorpions (0-2).
ALSO FRIDAY: Hope Christian improved to 2-0 with a 42-0 win at Española Valley. … Hobbs scored the final 28 points to stun visiting Artesia, 42-37. … Piedra Vista beat visiting St. Pius 38-6. … Cleveland beat visiting El Paso Franklin 35-21 in a game that started 1 hour and 45 minutes late. … Tucumcari blanked visiting Albuquerque Academy 44-0. … Goddard and Carlsbad tied 0-0 when weather forced the game to be called at halftime. … Clovis won at Aztec 49-20. … Visiting Pine Creek, Colo., and Rio Rancho started 2 hours and 15 minutes late due to lightning; the Rams (0-2) spotted Pine Creek the first 45 points in an eventual 45-23 loss.