The Ignacio High School football team’s defense has already forced 11 turnovers in two games. The Bobcats will look for more at 7 p.m. Friday in a tough matchup on the road at Newcomb, New Mexico.
IHS (2-0) has momentum with wins of 41-0 against Lake County and 21-8 against Crownpoint, New Mexico, to open the season. But the Bobcats aren’t getting arrogant about the start.
“2-0 doesn’t really matter to us,” said senior running back Dustin Sanchez after last week’s win at Crownpoint. “Our goal’s 1-0 every game; that was our motto, and that’s going to be our motto throughout the season: 1-0. Every game’s a new game, and we’re 0-0, going for our first win.”
The Newcomb Skyhawks are also 2-0 going into Friday night’s game. Led by head coach Eric Stovall, a well-known name in the Four Corners football community from his time leading programs around New Mexico, the Skyhawks have cruised to rivalry wins of 31-0 against Navajo Prep and 60-12 against Shiprock.
Deondre Begay has throw for 296 yards and five touchdowns while he has completed 50 percent of his passes. The junior also has rushed for another 255 yards and four touchdowns. Kelkenny Watchman, a senior, has amassed 108 rushing yards on only 18 carries and has three touchdowns on the ground.
Leandreth Begay has led Newcomb with 130 receiving yards and one touchdown. Haundrus Yazzie two touchdowns and 59 yards.
Defensively, Watchman has six sacks already, so IHS quarterback Ian Weinreich will have to be ready to throw quickly.
Weinreich has gone 16-of-26 passing for 193 yards and three touchdown passes this season. The team has boasted a well-rounded rushing attack.
Now, the Bobcats hope to continue to win the turnover battle against the best team they’ve seen this season.
“That’s what we’re shooting for: Win the turnover battle, win the overall war,” said Sanchez. “We practice a gang-tackle, one wraps him up, another hits the ball, and it worked out pretty good (last) week.”
jlivingston@ durangoherald.com
If you go
Who:
Ignacio at Newcomb
What:
High school football
When:
7 p.m. Friday
Where:
Newcomb, New Mexico
Twitter:
@jlivi2
