Bernalillo squeezes out OT victory to maintain perfect record

Bernalillo 21, Española Valley 20 (OT)

Bernalillo was down two touchdowns midway through the fourth quarter of their crucial District 1-4A football showdown at Española Valley.

But No. 2-ranked Bernalillo rallied to force overtime, scored first in the OT for its first lead of the game, and then the Spartans defense held the third-ranked Sundevils short of the goal line on a 2-point try moments later as Bernalillo left Española with a thrilling victory.

Quarterback Uriel Castro scored from the 10 for Bernalillo (5-0, 2-0 in 1-4A) on its overtime possession.

Española Valley (5-1, 2-1) responded immediately with a touchdown of its own, and the Sundevils rolled the dice by going for 2 points and the win.

The attempt fell inches short of the goal line.

The game was scoreless through three quarters. Bernalillo had the most promising drive in the first three quarters, reaching the Sundevils 1-yard line on a first-half drive, but the Española Valley defense held.

It wasn’t until the first play of the fourth quarter that the first points were scored. Five minutes later, quarterback Irvin Primero plowed straight ahead for a short touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Bernalillo’s first points came via a long touchdown pass from Castro to Joseph Duran with 6½ minutes left in regulation. With under three minutes to go, Castro scored on a 23-yard touchdown run, and Bernalillo tied the game at 14-all.

This game also included a lightning delay with the Sundevils leading 14-7 with just under five minutes left in the fourth quarter.