NMMI Football Falls to Navarro 42-33 

Midlothian, TX -- It had a big time college football feel.  The stands were filling and the bright lights were burning.  Highlights of the game were shown the Midlothian High School's stadium jumbo television screen. The New Mexico Military Institute Broncos and the Navarro Junior College Bulldogs did not disappoint the large crowd as the game came down to the final minutes as Navarro came away with the 42-33 victory. 

It was an offensively dominated ball game that featured 155 plays and 1,010 yards of total offense.  NMMI controlled the tempo of the game by managing an alarming 93 plays in an effort to wear down the Navarro defense through the use of their no-huddle offense.

 Navarro's star quarterback Jeremy Sanders wasted no time putting the Bulldogs on the scoreboard when he scampered 58 yards for a touchdown on a third and ten situation on the fourth play of the game.  The Broncos found themselves down 7-0 before they even touched the ball.

 The Bronco offense stalled on their first drive and was forced to punt. The Bronco defense forced Navarro into a third and twenty-five situation but a personal foul face mask penalty gave the Bulldogs a first down. Navarro couldn't capitalize as Sanders then fumbled the ball on the next play as Jay Johnson (Fr. FS, Roswell, NM) recovered the loose ball.

NMMI's offense got back on track and marched the ball down the field on twelve plays and Brandon Zackery (So. QB, Riverview, FL) punched it in from the goal line.  Kevin Perez (Fr. K, El Paso, TX) converted the PAT to even the score at 7-7. The Bronco defense continued to struggle wrapping-up the Navarro ball carriers as Sanders broke numerous tackles for another touchdown run. Navarro would go up 14-7 with 14:14 remaining in the second quarter. 

Last week's WSFL Player of the Week, Ovie Esalomi (Fr. RB, Tampa, FL) got into the action and on his first carry of the game broke free on a speed-sweep play and raced 41-yards down the sideline.  Anthony Young's hard running put the Broncos in position for Sheridan Forte to put the ball in the end zone.  Perez's extra point was blocked leaving NMMI down 13-14.

That score did not last long as Navarro's quick-strike offense struck again as Sanders hit a Navarro receiver for a 54-yard touchdown. The Broncos' no-huddle offense went to work on the ensuing drive. Thirteen plays later, Cortae Minor (So. FB, Henderson, NV) was able to extend the ball over the goal line for his first score of the game.  The Broncos attempt to tie the game with a two-point conversion failed andthey found themselves down 19-21. 

The final score of the first half came with 1:33 remaining.  Navarro's 6'6" receiver, Jason Madkins out leaped NMMI's 5'10" Troy Seivwright-Adams (Fr. CB, Toronto, Canada) on a fade pattern in the corner of the end zone.  The Bulldogs went in at the half with a 28-19 lead.  After the Broncos' opening drive of the second half stalled, the Bronco defense stepped up handing the ball back to the offense when Ced Johnson (So. LB, Houston, TX) recovered a fumble at the Navarro 45-yard line.

A nine play drive ensued and was capped when Anthony Young (So. RB, Pleasantville, NJ) took the option pitch on the outside and went untouched into the end zone.  Perez's extra point cut the Navarro lead to 26-28.  Navarro would add another score in the third quarter, extending their lead to 35-26. On the opening drive of the fourth quarter, Minor scored his second touchdown of the game on another one-yard run from the goal line.  The Broncos cut the lead to 35-33. 

NMMI's defense held strong in the fourth quarter, forcing punts on Navarro's first two drives.  With 6:29 remaining in the game and the momentum on their side, the Broncos started a drive on their own 15-yard line.  The Broncos were having no problem moving the ball down the field on a tired Navarro defense.

On a third down play on the Navarro 37-yard line, the Broncos lost the football on misplayed handoff.  This play would end all hopes for a Bronco comeback.  Navarro took over and with a run-blitz by the Bronco defense; Navarro's Tyrone Ross broke through the defense and raced 50-yards for a score.

For the game, the Broncos totaled a season high 407 yards rushing on 78 carries.  Zackery provided the Broncos with their first one-hundred yard rusher from the quarterback position as he racked up 116 yards on 23 carries.  Young totaled 92 yards in his first game this season while Minor and Esalomi each totaled 85 yards rushing. The Bronco defense was torched for 543 yards of total offense including 281 yards rushing and 262 yards passing.  They did force and recover three Navarro fumbles. 

NMMI has a short week as they prepare for the United States Air Force Academy JV in Colorado Springs on Friday.  Game time is set for 1 pm at the Academy's JV field.