Bulldogs end losing streak against Southwest
CALEXICO — For the first time in seven years, the Calexico Bulldogs didn’t find themselves biting off more than they could chew when they took the field against the Southwest High School Eagles.
The Bulldogs ended their losing streak against the Eagles Friday night at Warne Field by a score of 19-12.
But that doesn’t mean Southwest went down quietly. They came back to make the game close after falling behind by 13 points early.
Despite the Eagles’ dominance in this Imperial Valley League matchup since 2013, the Bulldogs were confident of a win coming into Friday’s game, Calexico High School junior Hugo Delabra said.
“I think we were hyped up,” the tight end and outside linebacker said. “We knew we were going to win. We, as players, motivate each other and that’s how we win.”
First blood on the scoreboard didn’t come until the 3:32 mark in the first quarter. That’s when CHS junior running back Julian De Leon took it up the middle from 3 yards out for a score. Following a good PAT from kicker Lorenzo Rodriguez, Calexico was up 7-0.
At 4:59 in the second, the Bulldogs scored again, as quarterback David Esquer connected with freshman running back Andrew Rivera for a 16yard touchdown pass. The Eagles blocked the PAT, leaving Calexico up 13-0.
Southwest closed the gap before the end of the half when quarterback Logan Jungers found junior wide receiver
Nate Smith Jr. from 12 yards out with 20 seconds left on the clock. The Bulldogs blocked the PAT, and the half ended with the score 13-6.
That’s how things stood until the fourth quarter, when with 5:01 left, Southwest’s Junger threw a pick-6 to Bulldog middle linebacker Francisco Arreola. The PAT missed, but the Bulldogs held a two-possession edge (19-6) with time running low for the Eagles.
“I saw a pass; dropped back into my zone, read the QB’s eyes,” Arreola recalled. “I saw him turn my way; it came straight to me. My eyes lit up, and all I could think was, ‘Don’t drop it.’ And, as soon as I felt it in my hands, I was just gone. Shout-outs to my coach Eddie (linebackers coach).”
Southwest went no huddle and finally managed to pull closer at the 1:45 mark with a Jungers-to-Smith touchdown pass from 16 yards out. Another missed PAT left the Eagles trailing 19-12.
Smith said that he “had a good feeling about” the connection between himself and his quarterback on Friday night.
“He’s a nice, good young quarterback,” Smith said of Jungers. “He’s still developing. I think he’s going to be the best quarterback in the Valley next year.”
In need of a touchdown with about 1:44 left in the game, Southwest tried an onside kick, but were unable to recover it.
The Bulldogs from that point assumed the victory formation to run out the clock.
“I felt like we left it all on the field,” Calexico QB Esquer said. “We really put our hearts out in the game. There’s little mistakes we still gotta fix, and bounce back next week — tougher opponent.”
The Bulldogs (1-1) will be hosting Brawley Union (3-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The Eagles (0-3) will be looking to get its first win of the season at home 7 p.m. Thursday against Palo Verde Valley High.
“I think we had a good heart, but we just fell short,” Jungers said. “We need a lot of improvement and we just need to get back to practice and work hard.”