ALAMOSA – The 2024 high school football season got started on Friday with a San Luis Valley contest between Alamosa and Monte Vista at Adams State University’s Rex Field.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Mean Moose kicked it into gear as they scored a 28-8 win over the Pirates.
“It was a good night,” said Alamosa coach Drew Sandlin. “We played well in all three phases of the game.”
“Our kids competed,” said Monte Vista coach Manny Wasinger. “We knew Alamosa was going to be prepared and they’re very well-coached. Dyson Woodward was special tonight. He beat us with his feet a lot. (Zane) Zook ran hard. We’re going to get better and I can live with the effort.”
The Pirates got the first turnover of the game as Jacob Pacheco intercepted Woodward. However, they went three-and-out and punted.
The Mean Moose finally got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter as Zook ran into the end zone from six yards out. Ryan Higareda converted the point-after for a 7-0 lead.
Alamosa got one more touchdown before halftime. Woodward put the Mean Moose into scoring position with a 44-yard screen pass to Zook, and then Woodward tossed a 7-yard scoring strike to Brennen Maez. Maez also scored the two-point conversion and the Moose led 15-0 at halftime.
Alamosa scored late in the third quarter with Woodward going to the end zone on a 19-yard run. Higareda again booted the extra point and the Mean Moose led 22-0.
The Pirates went on a potential scoring drive early in the fourth as they advanced to the Alamosa 6. But Kaden Madrid was pressured and was eventually picked off by Landon Garcia who returned the play 49 yards.
The Mean Moose came up empty but got another turnover later in the period as they recovered a fumble.
This time, Alamosa turned the turnover into points as Woodward scored his second touchdown, this time on an 8-yard run.
The Pirates finally got into the scoring column late in the game as Madrid threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Alex Marquez. The two also hooked up for the two-point conversion to end the scoring.
Alamosa had 354 yards of total offense with 215 coming on the ground. Woodward led the way with 124 yards on 18 carries, followed by Zook with 85 yards on 16 carries.
Woodward also completed 10 of 14 passes for 139 yards. He threw to eight different receivers with Zook leading the way with two receptions for 58 yards. Kevin Gonzales also had two catches for 19 yards.
Monte Vista accumulated 212 total yards – 107 rushing and 105 passing.
Madrid completed eight of 15 passes for 105 yards. Marquez was the leading receiver with five catches for 79 yards, followed by Azariah Hurtado with two for 18 yards.
Pacheco was t5he Pirates’ leader in rushing with 72 yards on 15 carries.
Alamosa (1-0) will play of its home field for the first time this season this coming Friday as it will host Banning Lewis Academy.
“They’ve moved up to Class 2A,” Sandlin said. “They were a powerhouse in 1A last year. They were a quarterfinal football team, so we’ll have our hands as well.”
Monte Vista (0-1) will be on the road again this coming Friday as it will travel to Rye.
“Rye is a perennial playoff team,” Wasinger said. “We’ll get some film on them this week and get back to work on Monday.”
Both games begin at 7 p.m.
Alamosa 28, Monte Vista 8
Monte Vista 0 0 0 8 – 8
Alamosa 0 15 7 6 – 28
Scoring
Second quarter
A – Zook 6 run (Higareda kick), 7:34
A – Maez 7 pass from Woodward (Maez run), 0:05
Third quarter
A – Woodward 19 run (Higareda kick), 2:58
Fourth quarter
A – Woodward 8 run (kick failed), 3:14
MV – Marquez 49 pass from Madrid (Marquez pass from Madrid), 0:38
