AZHSFB Alums Shine, but Western New Mexico Falls to Western Oregon

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Access all game footage here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10U04P-A2kr2J8Y9aUZh6yzyuaEsY7KUB

Silver City, NM -- There are certainly no moral victories in cutthroat D-II college football, but despite a 56-28 loss to Western Oregon, a young Western New Mexico team continues to make strides towards being competitive in the lone star conference.

This was a game that was competitive for a pretty long time.

To start the game, Western Oregon forced a Mustang punt before marching down the field on a 12-play, 95-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead.

However, the Mustangs took that momentum right back after taking advantage of a botched surprise onside kick.

With a short field, Horizon alum and redshirt freshman QB Jase Ashley found freshman RB Rene Huerta Jr on the third play of the drive for a 34-yard touchdown.

After a few punts, Western Oregon would eventually answer with another long scoring drive to take a 14-7 lead with 8:48 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

The Mustang offense would get some momentum going later in the quarter.

Ashley launched a bomb to Mica Mountain alum and freshman receiver Riley Carson to set his team up in field goal range. That field goal attempt, however, was doinked against the upright.

The Mustangs would then put together another quality drive at the end of the half that also ended with a missed FG. They would trail 14-7 at half in what felt like a game they could be leading.

Western Oregon took full advantage of escaping the first half with a lead and scored back to back touchdowns to open the 3rd quarter to extend their lead to 28-7.

But Western New Mexico would not go away.

After Ashley went down with a collarbone injury and did not return, former Centennial QB and true freshman Kainan Manna came in and immediately led a scoring drive that finished with a 5-yard shovel pass to redshirt freshman RB Rene Huerta to cut the deficit to 28-14.

Western Oregon quickly answered with a 3-play drive.

After another Western Oregon touchdown extended their lead to 42-14, Manna and the Mustang offense did not quit.

Basha alum and true freshman RB Josh Gaines bursted up the left sideline for an 88-yard touchdown.

Another 3-play touchdown drive for Western Oregon still kept Western New Mexico out of striking distance.

On the ensuing drive, the Mustangs would punt and their defense finally got a 2nd half stop. Walden Grove alum and true freshman Steven Valdez and Coolidge alum Andre Dukes came up with a big sack that nearly resulted in a safety.

Manna and the offense took advantage of the short field and added one more TD before the final buzzer. Manna found Tolleson alum and senior wide receiver Demarion Postell in the end zone.

Western Oregon would go on to win the game 56-28 and Western New Mexico dropped to 3-6 on the season. Despite being 3 games below .500, the Mustangs have already topped their win total from all of last season.

Notable AZHSFB Alum Performances

R-Fr. QB Jase Ashley (Horizon): 9-17, 220 yards, 1 TD

Fr. QB Kainan Manna (Centennial): 4-7, 33 yards, 2 TDs

Fr. RB Josh Gaines (Basha): 7 rush, 107 yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 59 yards

Fr. WR Riley Carson (Mica Mountain): 4 rec, 101 yards

Sr. WR Demarion Postell (Tolleson): 2 rec, 23 yards, 1 TD

Fr. P Conor Martinez (Liberty): 8 punts, 354 yards (44.8 avg, long 57, 3 inside 20)

R-Fr. WR/PR Jordan Partridge (Horizon): 1 PR, 11 yards, 1 rec, 7 yards

R-Fr. CB Malachi Holliday (Liberty): 9 tackles (7 solo)

Fr. DT Tevita Kale (Basha): 6 tackle assists

Fr. CB Ty'Vel Calloway (Liberty): 5 tackles (3 solo)