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Home / Sports News / Bernalillo defense puts the pressure on the Santa Fe offense, containing sophomore quarterback Luc Jaramillo and applying its run-pass game in Friday night’s 20-6 win over the visiting Demons

Bernalillo defense puts the pressure on the Santa Fe offense, containing sophomore quarterback Luc Jaramillo and applying its run-pass game in Friday night’s 20-6 win over the visiting Demons

By Arnie Leshin 
Arnie Leshin

Bernalillo obviously had an accurate scouting report on the visitors from Santa Fe High.

 

Defensively, the Spartans went right to work pressuring Demons’ sophomore quarterback Luc Jaramillo, and their offense did what it had to in posting Friday night’s 20-6 non district victory over 5A 10th ranked Santa Fe High, which had won its last three starts,

 

But the Demons, who lost only a 6-0 opening game at home to Robertson, did not have the spark that they had in the previous win up at defending state 4A champion Taos. Jaramillo could not piece together a capable offense. He was pressured, often sacks, and couldn’t do anything on option plays, as in carrying the ball as he has in the recent games.

 

In all, the offense managed just 54 total yards. Jaramillo completed only one of a dozen passes for 20 yards, and that came in the fourth quarter when the Demons were trying to overcome a 14-6 gap. It was a completion to Nick Martinez that put the ball at midfield with less than six minutes remaining.

 

But it didn’t get them points, instead, it got them intercepted when Jaramillo attempted to get a throw to Joel Rodriguez on a second-and 7 at the Bernalillo 47, but Spartan linebacker Joel Madrid eyed the pass and picked it off. Not only that, but he tucked in the ball and raced it 64 yards for what turned out to be the clinching touchdown.

 

It was the continuation of what had been a dismal day for the Demons, who dropped to 3-2 with Siringo Road rival St. Michael’s coming to Ivan Head Stadium Friday night in another non district contest.

 

On the game’s first play, the Spartans (4-1) came close to a quick lead when their quarterback Adam Salazar put the ball in the air and just missed getting to Isaiah DeHerrera downfield for what would have been a long gain. Not long after, Salazar connected with Tristen LudiHerrera for a 43-yard hook-up and brought a 7-0 lead with four minutes left in the opening quarter.

 

This was followed by the first of Santa Fe High struggles. While Bernalillo racked up 143 yards of offense in the first half, the Demons could only manage 21, had no first downs, and had possession for just 7 minutes and 6 seconds.

 

Defensively, they couldn’t contain the Spartanpass-rush game. Not that it put together a load of points, just that the home side was able to hold onto the ball.

 

Santa Fe High began the second half trailing 7-0 and went seven-straight plays along the ground. Then, after Bernalillo was penalized for roughing the passer, Jaramillo lost his helmet and had to come off for one play. In came back-up Zach Martinez, who botched a hand off to Matthew Maestas, who was able to pick up the ball, but fell on it with no gain.

 

Back came Jaramillo, but he had no rhythm. The Demons gained one yard and turned it over on downs. But on their next possession, they scored their only touchdown, missed the point-after, but cut the deficit to 7-6. It came when Salazar bobbled a low snap in his own end zone, then sped to his right and lost the ball.

 

Santa Fe High linebacker Jesus Guzman pounced on the ball for the touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter. But Bernalillo came right back, and when Jaramillo couldn’t handle the shotgun snap, linebacker Jamielee Long scooped it up and returned it to the Demons’ 23.

 

Salazar then found Madrid with a 7-yard touchdown toss and a 14-6 advantage after again converting the PAT with 12 minutes to go. The next touchdown brought what proved to be the final score, and Bernalillo had its fourth win in a row.

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