“Our defense is what we hang our hats on,” said Brad Vickers, head coach and athletic director. “Our offensive line also opened up some holes to allow our quarterback to prevail. He’s a runner and makes good decisions.”
Running back Ronnie Martinez opened it up for the Eagles by rushing 367 yards and making four of the team’s six touchdowns.
“That’s something very special for one ball game,” Vickers said.
Martinez put the first score on the board in the first quarter with 3:51 seconds left on the clock. Jose Esparza kicked the extra point and the Eagles were up 7-0.
Ray Lopez hit paydirt again in the second quarter when he scored from one yard out. Esparza’s kick was good and the Eagles were on the board again, 14-0.
Yorktown went to the air and connected to Jayden Barefield for a 65-yard TD pass to put points up, narrowing the lead 14-6.
On their next possession, Martinez would break away for a 44-yard run to the goal line for another six points. The extra point kick failed but the Eagles were ahead, 20-6.
Yorktown went to the air again to Barefield who ran 52 yards for his second TD of the night. The score narrowed to 20-12 when the first half ended.
Yorktown came back the second half fired up and fought its way to the one-yard line for its third TD, making the score 20-18, but the Eagles would not be denied.
Martinez sprinted 95 yards to take back a more comfortable lead. Esparza’s kick was right on and the Eagles led 27-18.
Yorktown didn’t give up and bulled its way to the six-yard line where Cody Clayton scored another TD. Connor Kreha kicked the extra point, putting Yorktown in striking distance, 27-25, in the third quarter.
The Eagles buckled down in the fourth quarter and controlled the ball for the remainder of the game. Martinez scored on a 44-yard run with 10:08 left in the game and a Bryan Stewart sprinted 55 yards for a TD with 9:19 left on the clock.
Esparza kicked another conversion and Jonathan Jaramillo caught a pass to put two more points on the board.
The Eagles had a good night rushing. Martinez, carried for 367 yards; Mario Trevino, 125; Ray Lopez, 29; and Bryan Stewart, 79, for a total of 594 yards.
Esparza kicked five extra points out of five.
The Eagles have faced the Bruni Badgers three times in the past two years and lost all three games in close matches, so the Eagles are hungry for a victory.
“We’ve gotten better and they have, too,” Vickers said. “The last time we made some key mistakes that they capitalized on.”
The Eagles are determined not to repeat those mistakes.
“We’re going to stick with what we do best,” Vickers said. “We’ll count on the offensive line to open holes and the defense to put the Badgers in check.”
For three years, Vickers has been molding a winning football program. Last year’s motto, “If you don’t believe, you don’t belong,” put their goals into perspective.
With two straight playoff runs behind them, the Eagles are ready.
Vickers brought a quote to the gridiron today, “If what you did yesterday still looks good to you, you haven’t done much today.”
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