Big first half keys Hawks’ win
QB Deatherage throws three 2nd-quarter TD passes for Volcano Vista
It was homecoming night for the Volcano Vista football team, and the Hawks played Thursday like they were two hours late for the dance.
Volcano Vista (4-1) performed with urgency and efficiency in the first half — its best half of the season — and the Hawks won their fourth straight with a resounding 41-7 victory over Sandia at Nusenda Community Stadium.
“We haven’t been sharp in any of our games we played,” said Volcano Vista coach Chad Wallin. “We haven’t played to our expectations. Tonight was the first time we didn’t look razzled.”
Led by quarterback Jake Deatherage, the Hawks overwhelmed the Matadors (2-4) from the opening kickoff, and it was 34-0 by halftime.
Deatherage threw three touchdown passes in a one-sided second quarter in which Volcano Vista outscored Sandia 27-0 during a six-minute window.
“It started with our defense,” said Deatherage. “Offensively, we got off to a good start, but our defense held Sandia’s running back (LeShawn Joseph) to way under a hundred yards.”
That, and then some. Joseph was limited to 12 yards on eight carries in the decisive first half.
“We’ve been struggling with the run defense this year, but tonight we did a great job,” said Deatherage.
The speedy Volcano Vista offense hummed along nicely in the opening two quarters, with 290 yards and superb balance.
The opening drive of the game covered 80 yards in eight plays, keyed by big runs by Deatherage (23 yards) and Blaine Grant (35 yards). Jimmy Gallegos capped the drive with a 1-yard run.
In the second quarter, Deatherage threw TD passes of 3 and 16 yards to Jacob Werner and 19 yards to Joah Flores, and Brandon Padilla intercepted a pass from backup QB Gestic Marquez and returned it 46 yards for a score.
“The speed allows us to stretch out the defense a lot more,” Deatherage said. “Even Jacob, he’s crazy fast.”
Deatherage in the first half was 15-for-20 for 113 yards, and also ran for 88 yards. He and several other skill-position players sat out the second half.
“The boys are so unselfish, and they’ve really bought into getting the ball to the open guy,” Wallin said.
The Hawks face West Mesa in a district opener next week.
“We’re at that point where we don’t want to peak yet,” Wallin said. “We want to be better going into those district games.”
Volcano Vista’s defense, coming off a bye week, limited an injuryravaged Sandia team to 138 total yards. At halftime, the Matadors had just 46 yards, including minus-3 yards rushing, and had only two first downs in the first half compared to 17 for the Hawks.
VALLEY 41, HIGHLAND 6: At Milne Stadium, senior wide receiver Garrett Moseley caught four touchdown passes from quarterback Manny Sanchez-Vargas as the Vikings (3-2) rolled up 34 first-half points over the Hornets (1-5), who lost their fifth game in a row.
ALSO THURSDAY: Mayfield (4-2, 2-0) downed Oñate (0-6, 0-2) 48-13 in District 3-6A action at the Field of Dreams.