No. 3 Warriors improve to 3-0 with 54-20 win over Estancia

Warren Kurtnaker’s tackle sent Estancia quarterback Josh Calhoon’s helmet flying.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain photos

Socorro made few mistakes in a dominating victory over Estancia as the No. 3 Warriors improved to 3-0 with a 54-20 win at home Thursday.

“That was one of the better teams we’re going to see all year, as far as getting after us up front where we had to make our reach. And at times, man, it looked beautiful, and at times, we kind of drifted, so we have got to learn to do our jobs more consistently, and battle and fight, but I love the physicality we played with tonight,” Socorro coach Damien Ocampo said.

Ocampo pointed out the play of Estancia’s offensive line that gave the Warriors fits at times as the Bears attacked the defensive interior.

“I thought, for the most part, our whole offensive line grew up a little bit. On defense, when we executed, we played well. And then sometimes we weren’t sticking to our keys, but it’s hard against a team like this,” Ocampo said.

Before the game, Ocampo’s goal was to see his team play a “full four quarters” of football, but rainy weather and cramping led to some sloppy play in the third quarter. While Ocampo isn’t a coach to look past the opponent in front of him, it’s hard not to peek at what No. 10 Hope Christian is doing.

The Huskies are 1-0-1 after a 14-14 tie against Hatch Valley and a 55-0 drubbing of Laguna Acoma. The contest will also be a great measuring stick for the Warriors, who face Hatch Valley in their district opener on Oct. 10 at home.

“The challenge is ensuring we’re not stuck in space in bad situations. So, we’ve got to be able to cover on defense,” Ocampo said.

Quarterback Marcus Armijo scrambles for a touchdown against Estancia.

Against Estancia, Ocampo’s game plan went as planned as quarterback Marcus Armijo opened the scoring for the Warriors with 4:49 to play in the first quarter. Armijo also added the first of several extra-point kicks to make it 7-0.

A high snap on a punt play left the Warriors with a short field for their next score as Brian Armijo broke free for a 22-yard score, and the senior running back would score again before halftime.

Estancia caught the Warriors out of alignment on defense and scored on a long run, but senior cornerback Warren Chiwiwi stopped the extra-point play with a solo tackle.

Socorro kept the scores coming, with Garrick Gutierrez adding a running touchdown and M. Armijo getting into the end zone on a quarterback scramble to give the Warriors a 36-6 lead at the half.

With temperatures right at 90 degrees followed by a rainstorm, the Warriors struggled with cramping as their bodies cooled off and players’ core temperatures dropped. Still, M. Armijo pulled off the game’s longest play of the night on a 70-yard gallop.

With Ocampo looking to get his entire team on the field and the cramping issues, Estancia took advantage with a long run for a score, and when the slick ball squirted out of the side of Armijo’s hand, the Bears managed a pick-six to make it 42-20.

“It was a good game. They were tough. They’re physical, and they’re fast, but we’re good. I hate when it rains because it’s hard to throw the ball,” M. Armijo said. “I told the guys we must calm down, relax, take a breather. We’ve got the next play. We have got to keep going.”

While they never quit, the Bears lost their momentum when B. Armijo popped into the end zone again, and Caden Moreland provided the Warriors’ biggest defensive play of the night when he scooped up a fumble and raced 47 yards for the score.

For Moreland, it was a split-second decision to pick up the ball rather than fall and recover it.

“I knew the QB was the only one in the backfield, and he had already fallen. So, I was like, I’m picking it up. I need a touchdown. I haven’t scored yet. Yeah, it’s a risk if I don’t recover the ball, and I would get chewed out, but I wanted a touchdown.”

The Warriors will travel to Albuquerque on Sept. 10 for a Saturday morning game (11 a.m.) against Hope Christian.

“They’re going to be big up front. They’re going to have some monsters up front,” Ocampo said. “They’re going to have a lot of talent all over the place. But not going to be as difficult upfront but probably a lot more difficult skill-wise.”