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Aztec Gold Online News

Aztec Gold Online News

Aztec Gold Online News

Football v. Americas

Football+v.+Americas

Aztecs make history as district champs

By Isayah Garner

Photo by Isabella Engkilterra

 

Coming into Friday’s game against the America Trailblazers, the El Dorado Aztecs were riding high on a three-game winning streak. This gridiron battle was critical, because not only was this an implication for playoff seeding, the winner would be the District 1-6A champions. With a score of 53-40, the Aztecs became the first every El Dorado team to do just that, beating Americas at the SAC on Friday.

 

The night was electric.

 

The Aztecs came out firing on all cylinders, taking an early 14-0 lead with touchdowns by sophomore Cedarious Barfield and senior Cameron Covington.

 

The Trailblazers didn’t lie down, scoring 28 unanswered points in the first half with long run plays and trick plays as well.

 

The Aztecs struggled to generate any offense, as they went back and forth between Barfield and senior quarterback Austyn Hill, who returned this week after being out for the past three games due to injury.

 

As the half came to a close, the Aztecs made one last desperation play as Hill threw up a prayer to senior wide receiver Torian Jordan. All eyes perked up to watch Jordan make an incredible catch over two defenders, and run it in to cut the lead down to seven.

 

The Aztecs came out of the half with momentum on their side. And they continued to deliver, the defense came up with a fumble recovery by junior linebacker Matthew Rodriguez.

 

After a punt by the Aztecs, the defense came up big once again, causing a safety, cutting the lead down to five to make the score 28-23.

 

The Aztec offense responded with a touchdown pass from Hill to Covington. After a failed two-point conversion, the Aztecs were entering the fourth quarter, up 29-28.

 

To start the fourth, the Aztecs managed a field goal. But later found themselves down once again 34-32 after Americas failed on a two-point conversion.

 

The Aztecs came back though, with another touchdown pass to Covington, making the score 39-34.

 

After a huge kickoff return by Americas, they were able to score once again, making the score 40-39 after another failed two-point conversion.

With time running down, the Aztecs needed a score in order to win this game. And with under two minutes left, somehow, someway, the Aztecs were able to make a remarkable drive, ending with a touchdown pass to junior receiver Jorge Hernandez, making the score 46-40 with 1:07 left to play in the fourth.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Aztecs forced a fumble. Minutes passed as officials analyzed who really had the ball, but in the end, the Aztecs came up with it.

 

The Aztecs clinched the game with another touchdown run, making the final score 53-40 and also becoming the first El Dorado team in history to win the district championship. SISD Superintendent Jose Espinoza proudly presented the team with the glimmering trophy.

 

The Aztecs now turn their attention to playoffs, as they have their second home playoff game in the last three years against the Amarillo Tascosa Rebels. They will play for the bi-district championship Friday evening at the SAC.

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