El Dorado Beats Coronado In A 1-5A Thriller

Our N3L Optics game of the week lived up to the hype of being the top game in the city as El Dorado defeated Coronado 33-28.  The Aztecs were heavily favored going into the contest, and looked to run away with the game by taking an early 13-0 lead in the first quarter. 

Coronado had no answer for Aztec's QB Cade Terrazas in the first quarter as he ran all over the T-Birds defense, scoring on an 11 yard quarterback keeper.  El Dorado's offensive line gave Terrazas plenty of time to find his recievers to begin the game.

Coronado finally got on the board in the second quarter as QB Mickey Courtney found his wide receiver Brandon Bogan for a 22 yard touchdown reception.  T-Birds running back Bobby Chacon scored on a 5 yard touchdown run making it a competitive game at halftime, with El Dorado leading 25-14.

T-Bird's quarterback Mickey Countney had a solid first half performance, he was 4-8 for 44 yards with 1 TD. Courtney only played in the first half, leaving in the second quarter with a left knee injury.  In the second half the T-Birds came out poised to pull off the upset victory against the Aztecs.

With starting QB Mickey Courtney injured, the T-Birds used backup Christian Monzone, who had a solid relief performance.  Coronado running back Josh Brady scored on a 14 yard touchdown run on a crucial 4th and 2 in the 3rd quarter.  With the score, Coronado got within 4 points of the Aztecs at 25-21.

Entering the 4th quarter Coronado had a tremendous amount of momentum, they were right where they wanted to be, and El Dorado failed to score any points in the 3rd quarter.   With 9:16 to go in the game, backup QB Chrisitan Monzone gave the T-Birds the lead for the first time in the game with a 6 yard QB keeper for a touchdown on a 4th and 3.  Coronado took the 28-25 lead, and had to feel quite confident at that point.

El Dorado finally scored again on their next possession, and took a 33-28 lead.  The Aztecs looked to run out the clock with 2:19 to go in the contest when running back Lederrick Wilson fumbled the ball.  Coroando recovered it at the Aztec's 40.  Monzone led the T-Birds to the 20 as time was winding down, and went for a strike to the end zone, but was intercepted by El Dorado's Julian O'hare with 10 seconds left in the game.

The interception sealed the victory for El Dorado and ended Coronado's hopes for the comeback.  With the win, El Dorado moves to 5-2 on the season, 3-1 in 1-5A.  They will host Bel Air next week.   Quarterback Cade Terrazas had a stellar perfromance going 15-25 with 251 yards, 3 touchdown passes, and one rushing TD.

The loss drops the T-Birds to 2-5 on the season, 1-3 in 1-5A play.  Coroanado will travel to play Socorro next week.  The T-Birds have been dismil this season, Coach Brooks is retired, and it may take a while for them to be a prominant 1-5A powerhouse again.