Albuquerque High wins thriller versus Eldorado

Roughly half the fourth quarter was still left when the Albuquerque High Bulldogs started the most meaningful drive of the night.

Nearly six minutes later, the Bulldogs had probably kept their prep football season alive.

AHS quarterback Julian Madera scored on a 7-yard run with just 29 seconds to go, and the Bulldogs, down 11 late in the third quarter, pulled out an exciting 17-14 win over Eldorado on Thursday night at Wilson Stadium.

The Bulldogs went 88 yards on 12 plays — 11 of them rushes — to beat the Eagles (3-5, 2-3).

“Faith in each other,” AHS coach Desmond Anaya said. “The players and the coaches did a heck of a job of staying together when adversity struck. That’s been the bottom line of our season, is handling adversity and being resilient.”

Madera and running back Alberto Landeros combined for all the yards on the game-winning drive. That included a 3-yard run by Madera on a fourth-and- 2 from the Bulldogs’ own 22.

Madera threw a short pass to Landeros that the back turned into a 27-yard gain to the Eldorado 37. Moments later, on a third-and-6 from the 32, Landeros dashed for another 27 yards, this time reaching the Eagles’ 5-yard-line.

“That guy,” Madera said. “He’s one of the best in New Mexico.”

On second down and goal, Madera rolled right. No one was open, so he tucked and ran for it.

“I had an option, but I just took off and trusted my legs,” Madera said.

Eldorado had great field position after the touchdown, at the 46. And the Eagles got to the AHS 28 with five seconds remaining. Eldorado attempted a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the game to force overtime, but the kick was short and left.

There were four teams tied for third place in District 2-6A when Thursday night’s action began.

There are now two teams tied for third: Albuquerque High (5-3, 3-2) and Sandia (3-5, 3-2). The Matadors routed West Mesa 54-0 at Nusenda Community Stadium.

AHS closes with games against Sandia next week (another key matchup) and La Cueva. Eldorado plays West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage.

The Bulldogs had the first points Thursday, a 35-yard field goal by Gabriel Fernandez three minutes into the second quarter.

But Eldorado converted two AHS fumbles into touchdowns before the first half ended.

Jahari Morehead’s 17-yard score, with 5:08 to go before halftime, got Eldorado on the board. Nolan Romero Williams scored from the 1:43 remaining after the second AHS fumble. The Eagles carried a 14-3 lead into halftime.

Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs dove deep into their playbook. It was a reverse, that receiver Juan Carlos Landeros eventually threw 19 yards into the end zone, to a wide open Fernandez, and the Bulldogs cut the deficit to four at 14-10.

“That’s just what we do,” Madera said of the comeback. “We came out, we kept our heads up, and that’s the outcome of the game.”

This was Albuquerque High’s second win this season in which the Bulldogs won it in the final minute.

“The boys just persevere, and I couldn’t be more proud of our program,” Anaya said. “The guys stood up to the challenge. The belief was unbelievable tonight.”

And the Bulldogs were fully aware of the stakes coming into this game.

“If we win two out of three, we’re in, no questions asked,” Anaya said. “Only one out of three, and now we’re needing help from other teams.”

VALLEY 39, DEL NORTE 23: At Milne Stadium, the Vikings (3-5, 3-2 in 1-5A) got touchdowns from five players, including two rushing TDs from Antwan Lozano, as Valley now awaits a huge home game next week against Los Alamos.

Gabe Gonzales, Zaid Al-Omari, Zach Perez and Josh Sanchez also reached the end zone for the Vikings against the Knights (1-7, 1-4).

LAS CRUCES 47, ALAMOGORDO 0: In Alamogordo, Class 6A’s top-ranked team authored another excellent performance.

Quarterback Gunnar Guardiola threw three touchdown passes for the Bulldawgs (8-0, 4-0 in 3-6A), Danny Amaro ran for two scores and Francisco Winnikoff caught two TD passes against the Tigers (4-5, 1-4).

Albuquerque High football vs. Eldorado: Photos