Scheduling Ignacio for a homecoming game used to be a sure win for the Bobcats’ opponents. Not in 2016.
After ending a 14-game losing streak that spanned three seasons with a big win at Crownpoint two weeks ago, the Ignacio High School football team started its first winning streak since the end of the 2013 season with a big 37-12 road win at Montezuma-Cortez High School on the Panthers’ homecoming night.
“When you look at the faces of our kids, it’s priceless,” IHS head coach Alfonso “Ponch” Garcia said. “Compared to where we’ve been, especially last year, to where we are now. The kids are going in the right direction. They’re trusting one another and playing hard. It’s a great feeling watching them out there.”
The Bobcats (2-1) dominated the second half after going into the locker room trailing 12-11. It was a bizarre first half in which Ignacio’s first two scores came on safeties. The first game IHS a 2-0 lead when Dalton Mickey and Colten Smithson took down the punter in the end zone. The second cut a Cortez lead to 6-4 when Cefar Corona recorded a tackle for a loss in the end zone with 49 seconds to play in the first quarter. The Bobcats continued to pressure the passer all night, causing havoc in the backfield.
“Our linebackers were on fire,” Garcia said. “We talk all the time about not just one guy getting to the ball but every body, and the guys really did that. They swarmed to the ball.”
Ignacio scored in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown reception by Timmy Plehinger on a pass from quarterback Zach Weinreich, who was just getting started with a big night.
The two Cortez touchdowns came in the first half. A Cordell Baer fumble return of 70 yards led to the team’s first score, and Juan Arballo’s second interception of the game set up the offense for a touchdown pass. But the Panthers wouldn’t score again, and Ignacio started to score in all phases of the game.
IHS carried momentum into halftime after a Stocker Robbins interception ended the first half. Out of the break, Marcus Chapman scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Wenreich to give Ignacio an 18-12 lead.
On the next drive, Lorenzo Peña took a short pass from Weinreich 47 yards for another touchdown. Lawrence Valdez added to his already big night on special teams with a 55-yard touchdown reception to give Ignacio a 31-12 lead with 8:24 to play in the game.
Chapman delivered the final blow with a interception returned for a touchdown to give IHS a 37-12 lead. Weinreich finished 23-of-45 passing for four touchdowns and two interceptions.
“He had a rough first half with the two interceptions, but we talked on the sideline about composure,” Garcia said of his quarterback. “He started relaxing in the pocket and made some incredible passes.”
IHS will play at home next week for the first time this season. The Bobcats will host Pagosa Springs at 7 p.m. Friday.
“I hope Ignacio starts believing in the kids like we have as coaches,” Garcia said. “I hope the community embraces these kids and fills the stadium next week.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
