On Friday night New Mexico Military Institute ended their district slate with a 35-26 win over Ruidoso High in Ruidoso, NM. With the win, the Colts improved to 4-2 in district play with a 5-4 overall record. With the loss, Ruidoso dips to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in district play.

Q1

After an NMMI punt on their opening possession, Ruidoso answered with a touchdown on their first drive. The Warriors conducted an 8-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 27-yard touchdown connection from Mason Fikany to Charlie McCallister to give the home team a 7-0 lead.

In just one the Colts answered back. On their own 24-yard line, Miguel Garcia blasted away for a 76-yard rushing touchdown to knot the game at 7-7 after Henrique Barreto drilled the extra point.

Q2

After an NMMI fumble, Ruidoso opened the quarter with a touchdown as Mason Fikany carried it from a couple yards out to regain the lead, 14-7. With another immediate response, NMMI conducted a 10-play, 63-yard scoring drive that used up over five minutes off the clock.

Aquaylis Jordan recorded a 13-yard rushing touchdown to cap off the length drive and tie the game again at 14-14. In just four plays, Ruidoso re-took the lead with the help of a 55-yard rush by Mason Fikany to set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown by Zach Friberg and give Ruidoso a 20-14 lead after a failed extra point attempt.

Once again, NMMI answered back. This time, Konstantino Scopelitis capped off a 7-play, 60-yard drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The Colts took a 21-20 lead after a successful extra point attempt by Henrique Barreto.

Q3

After forcing a Ruidoso punt, the NMMI offense wasted no time. The Colts conducted a 6-play, 60-yard drive that used 3:07 minutes off the clock. Finding the end zone for the second time, Konstantino Scopelitis recorded a 3-yard rushing touchdown to put NMMI ahead 28-20.

Late in the quarter, Mason Fikany carried the ball three times before scoring from a yard out to make it a 28-26 game after Ruidoso failed on their two-point attempt.

Q4

In the first minute of the final quarter, the Colts extended their advantage with a 76-yard rushing touchdown by Aquaylis Jordan to give NMMI a 35-26 lead with 11:13 remaining in the contest.

Ruidoso attempted to find the end zone but were held scoreless in the final 12 minutes as the Colt defense held firm as they allowed Ruidoso to move the ball down the field but not score on their two drives in the final period.

Head Coach John O’Mera on the win, “it feels good to go on the road and get a win, especially in district it’s never easy,” O’Mera said. “The offense sputtered tonight, turned the ball over too many times and put the defense in tough situations all night. Yet, they answered the call every time and played their hearts out,” O’Mera said.

UP NEXT

The Colts end their regular-season schedule on Friday, October 31 when they host Cathedral High School at Colt Field, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.