Big Capital football run Friday night

This time Capital’s football team did come away with the finishing touches unlike the 28-24 hard-fought last week at home against St. Michael’s. It took care of business with a 41-14 rout at non-district opponent Los Alamos Friday night.

Joaquin (Wax) Garcia was happy with this finish as it now sets out to play at another big school, Alamogordo, on Friday night.

“Coming in here.” Garcia said, “we wanted to prove to people that we could come from behind, which we did in a big way to personally gain respect.”

At 2:44 of the third quarter, the Hilltoppers (1-2), behind back-up quarterback Kyle Evenhus, who took over when starter Zach Stidham injured his left leg in the second quarter and tossed a 13-yard end zone touchdown pass to Niko Garcia to move the home team within 16-14.

Both sides had gone through some sloppy play on both sides of the ball. The Capital defense, which had a trio of interception in the first half, allowed Los Alamos to pick up 203 passing yards and a pair of TDs through three quarters.

But the Jags responded. They pieced together a 75-yard drive that brought a 5-yard touchdown run by Francisco Diaz and now they were up 23-14 with 8:36remaining in the game. Next came an interception by Capital’s Elijah Rodriguez anbed sped 9 yards for a TD that upped the lead to 29-14 with 7:45 left.

It was all Jags now as the Hilltoppers nightmare continued at Sullivan Field. Evenhus made a hurried pass behind Niko Garcia and Jaguars’ linebacker pounced on the loose ball and Rodriguez followed with yet another big play by hauling in quarterback Julian Munoz 15-yard touchdown pass and it was all over but the celebration on a 35-14 result with 6:26 to go.

Munoz also displayed his versatility with 146 rushing yard on a dozen carries. He was only 12-for-33 through the air and struggled at times with open targets. He also wasn’t helped by at least half-a-dozen dropped balls by his receivers.

“I can’t afford an injury, Munoz said, “and I want to stay healthy for my team. I tried to get the ball out of my hands and it was a little iffy, but I did what I could to get the job done, and we won”

Yes, until Capital made a late run to win handily, the Hilltoppers were right there except for interceptions, fumbles and the Jaguars converting them to win going away.