New Deal Spoils Sundown’s Homecoming
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Updated: September 26, 2015
photo: melodee gunter
New Deal Moves to 5-0
It was not quite the homecoming the (2-2) Class 2A DII Sundown Roughnecks had hoped for Friday night as they took a shot at the undefeated Class 2A DI New Deal Lions. The Roughnecks gave their best attempt at slowing down the unstoppable Lion offense, but just like every other opponent New Deal has faced this year, Sundown was no match.
The Lions, in trouble on fourth down with 10:50 to play in the first quarter, lined up for a successful fake punt that was carried for a first down. New Deal QB Jaxson Durham quickly fell into rhythm with one of his favorite targets WR Sebastian Hartless to get the ball moving. With 9:16 to go in the first quarter RB Jai Manahan found the red zone for the Lions, but they struggled once they found it.
With 8:23 to play in the first quarter, New Deal was forced to call on their kicker. Manahan’s kick was good, which put the first points of the night up on the board, New Deal-3 Sundown-0.
New Deal recovered their first of many onside kicks to put the ball back in their hands. Their first play back on offense, Manahan broke away for a 34 yard touchdown run. His extra point kick was also good to make the score 10-0 with 8:13 to go in the first quarter.
With 4:36 to play in the first quarter, Sundown found some fire when New Deal’s pass attempt was deflected by DE Isaac Bocanegra. Link Wilkes snatched the ball for the Roughnecks and ran it back to the 17 yard line. Not long after, QB Rock Thomas ran it up the middle for Sundown’s first points of the night. Matt Nichols extra point attempt was good, and the score was put at 10-7, which is where it would remain to end the first quarter.
New Deal put a few more points up in the 2nd quarter when Durham found Hartless in the end zone for a completion. The extra point attempt missed slightly to the left, put the score at 16-7 with 7:35 to play in the half.
With another onside recovery, New Deal had the ball back in their hands but not for long. Their first play of the possession, Mark Adams found the end zone for a 46 yard Lion touchdown. The two point conversion attempt was no good, which made the score 22-7 with 7:18 to go in the half.
On Sundown’s next possession, Link Wilkes rushed for two consecutive first downs, but the Roughnecks just couldn’t keep the drive going.
With 3:38 on the clock and New Deal in possession, Durham hit Marshall Rieken down field for a 32 yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was no good and the scoreboard was put at 28-7.
Sundown QB Rock Thomas attempted to get the offense moving on their next drive with an immediate first down off the keeper, but once again, the Roughnecks couldn’t keep the momentum. With 1:15 to play in the second quarter, they were forced to punt.
New Deal was quick to find the end zone yet again. Their first play back on offense, Durham connected with Adams for a 31 yard Lion touchdown. Manahan’s extra point was good, and the score was put at 35-7 with 1:02 left before the break.
The Lions, determined to put a few more points on the board before the half came to an end, snatched the ball back with another onside recovery. Immediately after, Durham hit Cody Thomas for a first down to propel the offense. With 39 seconds to go in the half, Rieken caught Durham’s pass for an 11 yard touchdown, and Manahan’s extra point attempt was good once again. The scoreboard was looking lopsided at the end of the first half, New Deal- 41 Sundown- 7.
New Deal continued to stay in control of the game in the second half too. Though it was a scoreless third quarter, Deandre Nelson had another fumble recovery and Manahan tore up the turf consistently carrying the ball for the Lions.
With 11:10 to play in the game, Sundown’s Link Wilkes earned a first down to spark the Roughneck’s second successful drive of the night. Justin Torrez broke into Lion territory with 4:16 on the clock, and not long after, Link Wilkes carried the ball up the middle for a Roughneck touchdown. Nichols extra point attempt was good, and the score was put at 41-14. This matched the mark for points scored by any team against New Deal this season with 14 (also accomplished by Lamesa in Week 2.)
The New Deal Lions successfully crashed the Sundown Roughneck’s homecoming with a final score of 41-14 to remain undefeated this season. The Lions have a bye next week and prepare to take on the Abernathy Antelopes for their district opener at home October 9th.
The Roughnecks travel to Iraan October 2nd.
by Melodee Gunter
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