There was no way ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High was going to walk off Gridley Field without a win.
After everything the it had gone through — losing its home field because of a monsoon and then having its return to The Grid postponed because of a monsoon — it was time for some football.
And the Badgers capitalized, beating Pueblo 30-12 on Saturday night.
“It felt great. As y’all saw, there was a lot of people out here,†ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ quarterback Jesus Montano said. “It felt good to have everyone and the energy back again. And it’s fun to play. Last year was a bit of a drag, but now everyone’s amped up. We’re ready to go.â€
Both coaches said the delays Friday night and eventual change of game time to Saturday didn’t have any effect on their teams.
“I don’t think it was a struggle,†Pueblo coach Brandon Sanders said. “I think you have to give them their due — they played hard. Them having a game ahead of us kind of helped as far as intensity and what we need. I don’t think our guys pushed that intensity enough.â€
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ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ converted on their opening drive to score the first touchdown of the night thanks to a quarterback keeper by Montano.
Each of the next three possessions were stopped, two on punts and one turnover on downs, but Pueblo eventually responded by recovering a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fumble, which Julian Lopez ran in. However, the Badgers blocked the extra point to keep the advantage, 7-6.
The Badgers added to the score at the start of the second quarter on a 37-yard carry by Gary Love.
The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ defense stopped the Warriors again, but the THS offense struggled to move the ball and were forced to take a field goal.
Just before entering the half, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ lost possession on an interception with 17.7 seconds left on the 23-yard line. But then ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Isaac Ruiz got a key sack on the next play to force a fumble, which Wyatt Campos recovered and ran in to end the half at 23-6.
“All I can say is, I went out there and did what I had to do for my team,†Ruiz said. “I thought we were having a quiet game for us, and I just tried to get it nice and energized. Luckily, I was able to get that sack and force a fumble, and then Wyatt was able to get the touchdown.â€
Each team scored once more in the second half, although Pueblo’s two-point conversion was stopped.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ coach Justin Argraves said the defense helped keep the game in check and helped the Badgers secure the win.
“I think our defensive line, they did a tremendous job last week and then they carried it into this week,†Argraves said. “It’s one of the better lines that I think I’ve had here in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ High. The entire defense — they play lights out.â€
For Pueblo, Marcelino Vega led the offense with 43 yards on two receptions and one interception. In rushing, Ruben Rivera went 10 for 30, Josh Garcia finished 6 for 23 and Julian Lopez went 3 for 18.
For ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Montano completed 9 of 19 for 133 yards, had one interception and one fumble. He also rushed 55 yards on 15 carries, and scored once.
Love finished with 117 yards and a touchdowns on 18 carries. Campos had 56 yards on three receptions.
The Warriors (0-1) open at home against Casa Grande and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (2-0) will continue their season at Alhambra, both on Aug. 31.