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Broncos Earn Lopsided Victory Over Lea County

9/1/07

Hobbs, NM – The New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team picked up a non-conference victory in their first game of the season by defeating the Lea County Lightning 60-0.  The Broncos had their way offensively, running at will on the Lightning defense in only 39 plays.  Defense and special teams were to blame as they kept the ball out of the offense’s hands by scoring three touchdowns of their own. 

On the fourth play from scrimmage, running back Ovie Esalomi carried the ball 59-yards for the first score of the game.  Kevin Perez converted the extra point for the 7-0 lead. 

The Broncos recovered a fumble on a botched snap for the Lightning’s first offensive effort.  After losing a yard on the drive, Perez connected on a 52-yard field goal in his first collegiate attempt making the score 10-0.

On Lea County’s next possession, sophomore linebacker Hollan Fiu smashed the Lightning quarterback, causing a fumble that was recovered by the defense.

Three plays later, quarterback Brandon Zackery pitched the ball to Esalomi on an option run.  Esalomi then scampered 77-yards for his second score of the game.  Perez converted the extra point making the score 17-0.

At the start of the second quarter, the Broncos’ Darrin Allen blocked a Lightning punt.  Sophomore defensive back Josh Manning picked up the loose ball and ran it in 26 yards for a touchdown.  Perez’s kick was good, extending the Bronco lead to 24-0.

Freshman running back Michael McIntosh got into the action on the ensuing drive.  After a 53-yard run by Esalomi, McIntosh carried the ball three times for 33-yards, capping the drive with a 3-yard score.  Perez converted the extra point for the 31-0 lead. 

After a three-and-out stop by the defense, Troy Seivwright-Adams returned a punt 33-yards for a touchdown.  Perez’s kick was good as the Broncos lead increased to 38-0.

Manning was able to get the ball back for the offense as he picked-off a lightning pass on a third down play.  The Broncos were not able to capitalize on the turnover as they handed the ball back with and interception of their own. The Broncos went in at the half with a 38-0 lead after running only 26 plays.

Freshman cornerback Rasheed Dunlap joined the pick parade in the second half as he intercepted a Lightning pass and returned it 30-yards.

Zackery made quick work of that, punching it in from the one-yard line after fullback Cortea Minor broke through for a 14-yard run.  Perez made it 45-0 with the extra point.

The Bronco offense would stall-out for the rest of the third quarter but the defense stepped up big by not allowing the Lightning to cross the 50-yard line. 

Three minutes and twenty-two seconds into the fourth quarter and the Bronco defense put six more points on the board when freshman linebacker Mike Shorter picked off another pass and returned it 24-yards for a touchdown.  Perez’s extra point was blocked by a lightning defender, but in a scramble for the ball in the end zone, Perez was the one that came away with the ball and two points.  The Broncos lead was 53-0.

The Broncos forced another fumble on defense, giving the offense a short field to work with.  Sophomore quarterback Stephen Baca made the most of his opportunity with a 25-yard score on an option-keeper.  Perez put a cap on the Broncos’ scoring making it 60-0.

For the Broncos offensively, Esalomi was efficient with his six carries, racking up 211 yards and two touchdowns.  Fullbacks Sheridan Forte and Cortea Minor totaled 48 and 44 yards respectively.  As a team, the Broncos totaled 384 yards rushing on only 33 caries.  That averages out to 11.6 yards per carry.

The defense had seven take-aways including three fumble recoveries and four interceptions.  They limited Lea County to 114 yards on the ground and 27 yards in the air. 

The Broncos will face stiffer competition next Saturday when they travel to Midlothian, TX to take on Navarro Junior College.  In 2006, Navarro escaped with a narrow 24-14 victory over the Broncos at Colt Field.  Kickoff is set for 6 pm (MST) and can be heard locally on KCKN 1020 AM or via the internet at www.kckn1020.com.

Athletic Department

New Mexico Military Institute

101 W. College Blvd.

Roswell, NM 88201

phone: 575-624-8270

fax: 575-624-8287