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NMMI Comeback Falls Short, Mesa Holds for 28-21 Victory

9/22/07

Roswell, NM – Western States Football League action got under way for the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos as they hosted the Mesa Community College Thunderbirds in front of the Corps of Cadets at NMMI.

The Broncos jumped out to an early lead with the aid of a 52-yard run by Michael McIntosh (Fr. RB, Memphis, TX).  The long run put the Broncos down deep in Mesa’s territory.  Brandon Zackery (So. QB, Riverview, FL) scored the touchdown on the quarterback keeper.  Kevin Perez (Fr. K, El Paso, TX) converted on the point-after try to give the Broncos the 7-0 lead.

NMMI dominated the stat book in the first quarter, tallying 100 rushing yards but could only manage one score. 

The defense held strong early in the ball game.  After a Bronco fumble, Mesa took over on the NMMI 25-yard line.  The Broncos held Mesa on a fourth down try from the 5-yard.

NMMI was able to drive the ball out from their own end zone to midfield before they were put into a punting situation.  The Broncos decided to run a fake punt and Taylor Owen (Fr. P, Carrollton, TX) was hit and fumbled the ball away.  Mesa took over with good field position and was able to tie the score at 7-7 with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Dax Crum to Terrance Moore.

Mesa took their first lead of the game on their next possession capitalizing on a 9-play, 75 yard drive that was capped off by a 6-yard run by Kevin Morris.

NMMI appeared to have things going the right way when Brandon Brooks (So. RB, Rosenberg, TX) broke free on a 25-yard run but had the ball knocked free from behind by Mesa’s Zach Hernandez.  Mesa recovered but was unable to capitalize as Dominic Gamboa’s 22-yard field goal went wide left.

Mesa would add another touchdown as Crum connected with Moore for a 37-yard pass play.  Mesa led at the half 21-7.

Backup quarterback Joel Lira (Fr. QB, Lubbock, TX) saw his first action of the season in the second half.  After a 31-yard run by Cortae Minor (So. FB, Henderson, NV), Lira scored his first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard option keeper.  Perez’s kick was good to cut the Mesa lead down to 21-14.

A turnover cost the Broncos again as Troy Seivwright-Adams (Fr. CB, Toronto, Canada) muffed the punt and Mesa recovered the football.  Jay Leal scored from 40-yards out on the next play to increase their lead to 28-14.

Following the touchdown, NMMI put together an 11 play 66-yard drive that took them down to the 2-yard line.  The drive was stalled when there was a mishandled exchange between Lira and Minor.  Mesa recovered and held on to their fourteen point lead.

NMMI would later get the ball back after a misplayed snap on a field goal try handed the ball over to the Broncos.  Lira found receiver Darrell Armstead (So. WR, Copperas Cove, TX) for a 22-yard completion that took the Broncos down to the 15-yard line.  Lira scored again on another option keeper.  The Broncos trailed 28-21 at this point.

The Broncos would get one more chance at making a comeback when Mesa’s Kevin Morris had the ball stripped by a Bronco defender.  With the ball near midfield, NMMI had a drive extended as the 5’7”, 160 pound McIntosh fought through three Mesa defenders to gain the first down.  Mesa’s defense would hold on, shutting down the Broncos on the next four plays to preserve the win 28-21.

NMMI totaled 392 yards of total offense to Mesa’s 461.  McIntosh led the Broncos in his first role as the primary ball carrier.  He totaled 117 yards on 17 carries.  In addition to scoring two touchdowns, Lira completed 2 of 3 passes for 32 yards.  For Mesa, Crum completed 18 of 32 passes for 310 yards.   

NMMI falls to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Western States Football League.  Mesa improves to 4-0 and 2-0 in the WSFL.

Athletic Department

New Mexico Military Institute

101 W. College Blvd.

Roswell, NM 88201

phone: 575-624-8270

fax: 575-624-8287