Behind 22-14 in the middle of the fourth quarter, the Durango Demons were just getting started.
Durango High School played host to Farmington High School, last year’s Class 4A state champions of New Mexico, in the Demons’ first true home game of the season. The home-field advantage helped fire up the Demons for a big fourth-quarter comeback, as junior quarterback Terrence Trujillo and senior wide receiver Justin Marcum made all the right plays down the stretch.
“The guys showed a willingness not to give up and to stay focused,” DHS head coach David Vogt said.
A 74-yard pass from Trujillo to Lucas Baken set up the Demons for the game-tying score, as Lawrence Mayberry dived into the endzone for his third touchdown of the night. Durango tied the game at 22 with a successful 2-point conversion pass from Trujillo to Gavin Mestas.
The Farmington Scorpions (2-2) had 3 minutes, 34 seconds to drive the field and win the game, but the defense of Durango (2-2) came up with a big stop to force a Farmington punt with 1 minute, 53 seconds to play.
Durango went nowhere with its first three plays of the drive, but DHS senior Casey Dunlap found a lane and decided to take off running instead of punting, and he gained just enough yards to extend the DHS drive.
Trujillo then found Marcum streaking down the field for a 61-yard touchdown pass to give the Demons a 29-22 lead.
With just less than 30 seconds to play, the Scorpions couldn’t get anything going, and a Marcum interception iced the game with 8 seconds to go.
“It seemed like there was a little confusion on Farmington’s side, but me and (Trujillo) were communicating. He saw me on the deep route and found me,” Marcum said of the touchdown catch.
Trujillo said both Baken and Marcum told him they could “burn” the Scorpion defender covering them, and the two receivers proved it when it mattered most.
“I trusted both those guys. They kept saying they could burn their guys, and we went with it,” said Trujillo, son on Geno and Nicole Trujillo. “They ran great routes to get open and made nice plays with the ball after they caught it.”
Still, the Demons’ game-winning touchdown toss never would have happened if not for Dunlap’s decision to fake the punt instead of kicking it away.
Trujillo called it the play of the game.
“Backed up in our own zone like that, it was a gutsy move,” Vogt said of Dunlap. “He is a special athlete, and we trust him to make the call to either punt or run it in that situation every time. He made the right decision there.”
It was a big fourth-quarter rally for Durango after blunders cost them earlier in the game. A roughing the punter call extended a Farmington drive in the third quarter, and the Scorpions answered with a touchdown on a 10-yard run by Farmington quarterback Diego Elebario.
Durango also had a 91-yard touchdown run by Mayberry called back on a block in the back 50 yards downfield and behind the play, and that drive never produced points.
“We had our ups and downs with turnovers and penalties, but we stuck together and played as a family and kept fighting,” Trujillo said.
The Demons benefitted from five Farmington turnovers, including three interceptions and two fumbles by running back Chayton Salcido. DHS senior Jalon Malone recovered one fumble and intercepted one pass. DHS junior Kyle Duran forced a fumble, and senior Matthew Lavengood came up with a diving interception that led to one of Mayberry’s rushing scores.
“Our philosophy is to win with defense. They are going to bend and not break,” Vogt said. “If we do that, it gives the offense confidence.”
Mayberry finished the game with 167 rushing yards and three scores on 22 carries.
“Lawrence is a great running back. It was good to see him get going, because he is just great,” Trujillo said.
Trujillo was 12-of-21 passing for 218 yards and one touchdown through the air.
“I owe all of it to the offensive line. They did great for me and gave me time to make plays,” Trujillo said.
Durango also battled turnovers. Their first offensive play of the game went for a safety, and a botched handoff between Mayberry and Trujillo was recovered by Farmington’s Jace Dubick. Steele Spies also had a fumble in the game, and the Demons also had a punt blocked.
The Demons only were burned deep once by Elebario on a 77-yard touchdown pass to Avery Rasher. Elebario finished the game 13-of-21 passing for 200 yards and three interceptions to go with the one touchdown. The Scorpions totaled 151 rushing yards in the game.
A year ago, the Demons were the only team to beat the Farmington Scorpions during their 12-1 run toward a state championship. Beating the Scorpions again Friday night was even sweeter for the Demons.
“It is pretty nice. All the hard work really pays off,” said Marcum, son of Damian and Stephanie Marcum.
Games won’t get any easier going forward for Durango. The Demons will welcome Class 4A power Montrose in their final non-league game next week before beginning games against Pikes Peak League opponents.
“We got to get ready. We have a long week of practice for that one, and we will be prepared,” Trujillo said. “We have to work extra hard all week to get ready for those guys.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
