Gassoway has huge night for the Hawks
Volcano Vista aerial circus 1, Atrisco Heritage ground attack 0.
Paced by quarterback Dillon Gassoway’s stellar performance, the Hawks soared to a 68-21 romp over the Jaguars at Community Stadium on Friday night. Gassoway completed 16 of 22 pass attempts for 443 yards and seven touchdowns before sitting out the final quarter.
The senior made particular use of speedy wideouts Abram Schaap and David Cormier, who combined to pull in six of Gassoway’s TD passes. Schaap finished with six receptions for 243 yards and three scores, while Cormier had six catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
“Those guys kind of have to sit for my ball,” Gassoway said of his numerous long strikes to Schaap and Cormier. “They’ve got speed. I hardly ever overthrow them.”
The Hawks (3-1) also ran the ball successfully at times, including on a 69-yard touchdown scamper by Chris Streetz, but they chose to attack the Jaguars (0-3) primarily through the air.
“They load up the box a lot,” Gassoway said, “which gives us one-on-one shots with our receivers. That was the game plan tonight.”
Atrisco Heritage, by contrast, attempted just six passes on the evening. Its two completions both went for touchdowns from Michael Alvidrez to Arturo Gutierrez.
The Jaguars often ran the ball effectively, paced by Alvidrez, who rushed for 113 yards and a score. But Atrisco Heritage lost three fumbles and was simply unable to contain Volcano Vista’s explosive offense. The Hawks finished with 613 total yards and invoked a running clock in the fourth quarter.
CIBOLA 17, SANDIA 14: At Wilson Stadium, Gannon Chavez’s late touchdown pass to running back Kazy Martin was the go-ahead — and game-winning — score as the Cougars (1-4) rallied from an 11-point deficit to get their first win of the season.
One of the Matadors’ top running backs, Ky’Dae Jones, left the game on crutches and it is unknown how serious his injury is ahead of next week’s matchup with Rio Rancho. PIEDRA VISTA 28, WEST MESA 6: In Farmington, running back Avery Norton had two rushing touchdowns as the Panthers remained one of three 5-0 teams in Class 6A, along with Rio Rancho and Cleveland.
The Mustangs (1-4) lost their fourth in a row. They are idle next week before opening District 4-6A action.
Piedra Vista will make its first appearance in Albuquerque as a 6A program next week against Manzano.
ALSO FRIDAY: Eldorado routed Valley 42-0 at Milne Stadium. … Valencia earned its first victory of the year, 45-28 over visiting Santa Teresa on the Jaguars’ homecoming night. … Belen fell from the ranks of the undefeated in 5A, losing 26-7 at the Wool Bowl to Roswell. … Centennial struggled, but rallied to beat Hobbs 54-41.