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A second-grade connection cuts FLC

’Hawks fumble a 16-point lead to Western State at home

Fort Lewis College led 16-0, caused three turnovers in the first half, but still couldn’t hold on for a victory.

The FLC Skyhawks let their 16-0 lead against the Western State Mountaineers dissipate into a 21-16 deficit.

The Skyhawks clawed back in front 23-21 on an 11-yard run by junior running back Cameron Padilla, who had a breakout game. And they pushed their lead to 26-21 on a 24-yard field goal by backup kicker Joseph Cavale with just 2 minutes, 56 seconds to play.

But Western State (4-5, 3-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) wouldn’t go down, as redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Arrivey navigated the Mountaineers down the field on a six-play, 69-yard touchdown drive that concluded with a 31-yard touchdown pass to fellow redshirt sophomore wide receiver Kyle Adkins. The Mountaineers couldn’t convert a 2-point conversion, but it didn’t matter, as the Skyhawks were unable to drive for a go-ahead score with 1:19 left on the clock, resulting in a 27-26 loss and ensuring the eighth consecutive losing season for the Skyhawks (3-5, 2-5 RMAC).

“We have to score points. When the defense turns the ball over to us and gives us opportunities and we can’t put it in the endzone, then we’re not going to win, plain and simple,” FLC second-year head coach John L. Smith said.

A missed extra point and a missed 35-yard field goal by kicker Kipp Castanha came back to haunt the Skyhawks. The missed field goal came after Western State’s Arrivey fumbled the ball on a bad option pitch on the Mountaineers’ own 20-yard line.

“It loses you a game. It’s crucial,” Smith said of the missed kicks. “Extra point loses you a game.”

The game-winning touchdown pass from Arrivey to Adkins has been in the making since the two players were in the second grade. They went to school together all the way through Woodinville High School in Washington, and both decided to go to Gunnison and play for the Mountaineers.

“We’ve been playing together since we were in second grade. We came down here, and we got that chemistry on the field and off the field,” Arrivey said. “(Adkins) made a great play.”

Western State stole the momentum going into halftime when star running back Austin Ekeler broke an 82-yard touchdown run. FLC bottled Ekeler up for just 9 yards on six carries in the first quarter. Ekeler entered the game fourth in Division II in rushing yards, and he finished with 114 yards and the one touchdown on 23 carries.

That long touchdown run came after the FLC missed field goal and made it a one-score game at halftime.

The Skyhawks came out lethargic in the second half, and it showed, as the Mountaineers scored on their first offensive play from scrimmage just 14 seconds into the third quarter. The score came on a 78-yard touchdown pass from Arrivey to Kendall Worth, as Worth went over the back of an FLC defender to haul in the pass while keeping his balance to run for the touchdown.

“We were flat when we came out,” Smith said. “We can’t just come out and play the game the way you’re supposed to play the game. We have to come out and play with energy, and we didn’t execute.”

Suddenly, the Skyhawks’ lead was down to 16-14, and Western State scored again with 6:33 to go in the third quarter when Arrivey capped off a 14-play, 90-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Arrivey finished the game 13-of-27 passing for 242 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Skyhawks sacked him four times.

FLC battled back behind Padilla, who received the No. 1 running back duties when star freshman PJ Hall exited the game in the first quarter with a left ankle injury. Hall had 10 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown before being injured, and Padilla picked up where he left off.

Padilla, a transfer from the University of New Mexico, galloped for 128 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

“It was really hard watching one of our key running backs go down. I knew I had to step up,” Padilla said. “In the beginning we ran the ball, stuck it down their throat. Then we drifted off, and then we came back again the second half.”

The FLC offensive line went to work on the Skyhawks’ fourth-quarter scoring drive that last 7 minutes, 38 seconds. It was the second consecutive week the Skyhawks mounted a 7-minute fourth-quarter drive.

But, after Padilla’s touchdown run, the Skyhawks were called for two separate 15-yard penalties, and another personal foul penalty was called against FLC on the ensuing kickoff.

“We have to grind it out and win. We can’t beat people big; we’re not that good. But apparently we think we are, because we got a lot of penalties that kind of showed that we thought we’re mouthy,” a frustrated Smith said. “So, that really upsets me.”

The Skyhawks’ strong start to the game was fueled by interceptions by defensive end Juan Hall and linebacker Shane Nelson. Brandarius Johnson also recovered the Western State fumble.

Sophomore quarterback Trevor Bonifasi made his first career start at quarterback for FLC, as he replaced junior Jordan Doyle, who suffered a broken leg against Colorado Mesa last week.

Bonifasi finished the game 13-of-27 passing for 86 yards and one touchdown pass to Nova Hardy. Bonifasi also rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries.

FLC was reluctant to pass the ball in the third quarter, as Bonifasi only had three passing yards in the quarter. He only had 16 yards passing the entire second half.

“If we just execute, if I just execute, as well, we will be fine,” Bonifasi said. “We will move the ball. We were moving the ball and would misexecute on a third down or one play, and that killed us. If we keep doing that and keep running the ball like we have and get our pass game going – something I need to work on – we’ll be fine.”

FLC still is winless against opponents with a losing record this season. They need one win in their final two games to match last year’s win total of four, but a winning season is out of reach.

Still, the Skyhawks will play an important rivalry game next Saturday in Alamosa against Adams State (3-5, 2-6 RMAC).

“Well, we’re gonna play for the musket. It’s a big game for us and probably our rival,” Smith said of the Adams State game. “It’s huge, and we better take it as huge. We have to pick our sorry chin off the ground and get our tail going.”

jlivingston@ durangoherald.com

Grizzlies lose before FLC comes to town

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Shiane Tupua scored on a 1-yard run with 43 seconds to play to give Western New Mexico a four-point win Saturday.

Marques Rodgers rushed for 223 yards and one touchdown on 32 carries, as the Mustangs raced from behind to defeat Adams State 40-36.

Mitch Glassman ran for 21 yards and one touchdown, and he passed for 347 yards and two touchdowns to lead Western N.M. (4-5, 3-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference).

Auston Hillman threw two interceptions and had one touchdown and 237 yards in the loss for the Grizzlies (3-6, 2-5 RMAC). Michael Carl rushed for 88 yards and two Adams State touchdowns.

Western N.M. will go on the road next week to face Chadron State.

The Grizzlies will return home to Alamosa next week to host Fort Lewis College in the musket rivalry game. It will be the final musket game of head coach Marty Heaton’s career, as he plans to retire at the end of the season.

No. 9 CSU-Pueblo 49, Black Hills State 7

PUEBLO – Chris Bonner passed for 285 yards and four touchdowns, and the ThunderWolves had no problem beating the Yellow Jackets (2-7. 1-6 RMAC).

Star running back Cameron McDondle rushed for another 176 yards, as CSU-Pueblo flexed its muscle in a lopsided win.

The ThunderWolves (8-1, 6-1 RMAC) held Black Hills State quarterback Ward Anderson to 99 yards and two interceptions.

CSU-Pueblo will travel to face Colorado Mesa in Grand Junction next week. The Yellow Jackets will return home to host New Mexico Highlands.

No. 18 Colorado Mines 37, Colorado Mesa 23

ARVADA – The Orediggers dug out of an early 13-10 deficit to bury the Mavericks and win the Nyikos Cup rivalry trophy.

Justin Dvorak passed for 353 yards and two touchdowns, and Tevin Champagne rushed for 142 yards and a score, as Colorado Mines (8-1, 6-1 RMAC) controlled the second half.

Durango High School alumnus Avery Llewellyn was 3-for-5 kicking field goals for the Orediggers. His long was 52 yards. He also was 4-for-4 on extra points.

Daryl Hawkins rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, but it wasn’t enough for the Mavericks (5-4, 4-3 RMAC), who dropped their second in a row.

Colorado Mines will travel to Gunnison to play Western State next week. The Mavericks will host No. 9 CSU-Pueblo.

Chadron State 52, New Mexico Highlands 38

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Eagles scored 21 points in the second quarter to gain enough separation to beat the Cowboys (3-6, 3-4 RMAC).

Derek Jackson ran for 105 yards and four touchdowns, and Michael Madkins added another 78 yards on the ground for Chadron State (6-3, 5-2 RMAC).

N.M. Highlands quarterback Lance Orender threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another score, but it wasn’t enough.

Chadron State quarterback John McLain passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns and didn’t turn the ball over in the win.

The Eagles will return home to host Western New Mexico next week. The Cowboys will travel to face Black Hills State in Spearfish, South Dakota.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com

Nov 1, 2014
This 2-0 lead sticks for FLC


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