Eldorado pulls away in second half for key victory
halftime tie to beat the Monarchs (2-7, 0-4).
“When you bring coach (Greg) Henington (Eldorado’s new offensive coordinator) on board, he’s a run guy, and he’s used to being in semifinals and championship games, so in cold weather like this, it’s good to run the ball,” said Eldorado coach Charlie Dotson.
Hofman, one of Eldorado’s premier athletes, rushed for 100 yards in the first half.
Baca, a junior, and Elijah Goree handled most of the running in the second half.
Baca had a 1-yard TD run to cap the game’s opening drive, which covered 80 yards on 10 running plays. Baca — subbing largely for Ben West, who was limited to only defense Thursday night with a bum ankle — was only supposed to play the first series.
“Then he was successful,” Dotson said, “and that’s why he went back in.”
Baca carried it 16 times Thursday night. That was exactly 16 more varsity carries than he had all year.
“It was definitely a team victory, and my O-Line blocked great,” said Baca. “And we came out victorious, that’s all the mattered.”
Manzano tied the game in the second quarter, with QB Jace Melfi making a fine throw on a fourth-and-10 to Austin Erickson, as the two combined on a 39-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter.
Eldorado also scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the second half. The Eagles went a short 49 yards following a punt, with Elijah Goree getting into the end zone on a 2-yard run.
Broderick Dickman added a key, 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for a 17-7 edge.
Knowing its playoffs hopes were done if it didn’t win, Manzano tried a fake punt from deep in its end on the next series. Eldorado was ready, snuffed it out, and only had to go 20 yards for another TD, this one Baca’s second score.
“We were thin there (at running back),” Dotson said. “He was the guy tonight.”
Eldorado closes the regular season against Sandia. West is expected to return to the backfield, Dotson said.
“The kids came out and responded in the second half, and I couldn’t be prouder of them in a mustwin situation,” Dotson said. “That’s why we put Hoffy in there (at QB). Just from an athletic standpoint, he did a great job.”
Manzano closes against Albuquerque High.