Strong Running Game Lifts 4-0 AHA

With each victory, the images of Astrico Heritage Academy’s 2010 season get smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

The Jaguars, who went winless in their first varsity season, are 4-0 in their third year with a 40-6 win over Valencia on Thursday at Milne Stadium. Led by an explosive running game that chewed up 349 yards and had the mercy-rule running clock going in the second half, Atrisco nearly shut out VHS (0-4).

Sophomore running back Ricci Alvidrez scored twice on first-half touchdown runs, and he finished with 154 yards on only 12 carries.

“The way we are playing now is a big step from where we started,” said Alvidrez. “It’s unbelievable. It shows hard work pays off.”

Atrisco scored on a 7-yard run by Phillip LaCour to cap a 79-yard drive, then turned a Valencia fumble at its own 16 into a 7-yard score by Alvidrez. The sophomore scampered 36 yards for another score in the second period to help the Jaguars lead 20-0 at the half.

Atrisco scored three times in the third quarter, twice on keepers by quarterback Nate Goode and again when receiver Jeremy Sanchez got a Goode pass, fumbled, and recovered the ball in the back corner of the end zone.

Goode finished with 90 rushing yards and was 5-of-11 through the air for 74 more, with no interceptions. The hosts might have racked up more points but were flagged 17 times for 135 yards. Thirteen of those penalties came in the first half.

Valencia scored as time expired, with Chris Alvarez catching a deflected pass from Joe Heneghan. Atrisco outgained Valencia, also called the Jaguars, by a 434-220 margin.

Heneghan came in during the fourth quarter in relief of Anthony Gonzales, who was Valencia’s leading rusher with 55 yards.