After a long and tiring summer, the Manzano football team came into this season dreaming of one goal: the state championship. With eight returnees on defense, three of which have started for three years, and seven returnees on offense, many people hold high expectations of this year’s team.
One of the biggest games on the Monarch’s schedule was against the locked and loaded La Cueva Bears. Going into this clash of two long time rival teams, the Monarchs were very confident as they prepared for the game.
Quarterback Tyler Krueger felt they were the underdogs in this game but did not feel that La Cueva was the better team. “We are more experienced than them. We have 15 starters returning from last season that love the game and will do anything to help their team win.”
The talk of New Mexico football was favoring the Bears to win because of size and speed. Senior Mark Rael didn’t let that get to him, however. “They may be the bigger team but size doesn’t matter. We have more heart than they do,” stated the three year defensive lineman.
Just as Rael predicted, the Monarchs showed they had more heart as the Manzano Monarchs beat the La Cueva Bears 31-27, in what was considered one of the greatest games in New Mexico high school football.
State Farm Player of the Week, Jayson Serda, stated, “It felt good to beat them. We have lost to La Cueva since we were eight years old and it was our duty to beat them our senior year.”
Serda had an incredible 64-yard reception as well as two blocked field goals and two game-winning interceptions, helping the Monarchs defeat the bears.
However, you cannot count out the spectacular plays of Kevin Reaves, Ryan Trujillo, and Tyler Krueger. Krueger connected with Reaves on two touchdowns early in the game and one to Trujillo late in the game that brought the Monarchs just three points behind the Bears. Krueger then put the Monarchs up by four late in the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown.
The Bears then moved the ball down the field and had a chance to win the game, if not for a tremendous interception in the end zone by senior safety Jayson Serda that put the icing on the cake.
Senior cornerback, Melven Louis, was very pleased with the effort put forth by his teammates. “Everybody was counting us out after we were down by ten points,” exclaimed Louis with a chuckle. “You should never count us out.”
Coming off a spectacular win over La Cueva, Manzano traveled to Artesia the following week and took care of business once again, as the Monarchs demolished the Bulldogs 63-20
Upsetting Artesia for their homecoming, the Manzano Monarchs handled the hype of the Bulldog Bowl, not letting any scare tactics Artesia had to bring, bother them.
The defense only allowed 20 points to one of the best teams in 4A football, coming away with 5 total interceptions; one from Darrelyn McCloud, one from Patrick Podeyn that was returned for a touchdown, and three from Jayson Serda, one of which was took to the house, as well.
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Tyler Krueger rushed for over 100 yards and ran for three touchdowns of his own. He also threw two touchdowns to receivers Josh Bowen and Ryan Trujillo. Also contributing to the Monarchs incredible 63 points was Jordan Llamas who rushed for two scores as well.
After the game, Llamas shared his thoughts of how the game went. “They tried to scare us with all their traditional scare tactics, but we didn’t let that get to us because traditions don’t play a football game.”
Opening up the season at West Mesa, the Monarchs looked very professional as they slaughtered the Mustangs 49-7. Senior quarterback, Tyler Krueger, ran one in the end zone as well as threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns; two of which were to senior safety and receiver Jayson Serda, who also had a punt return for a touchdown.
Defense was also a big key to their success as they did not allow a score for the first three quarters and sacked the quarterback seven times.
Week four of the season took the Monarchs to Milne Stadium to take on the Albuquerque Bulldogs. To guarantee there were no injury risks, Manzano took the week a little easy because of the fact that the 0-3 Bulldogs were not going to give them competition what-so-ever.
However, the Monarchs did go into the game very prepared and determined for another win on the season, beating the Bulldogs 42-6.
The defense played an outstanding game. Defensive linemen Mark Rael and Josh Romero both caused a fumble on back-to-back possessions, and defensive back Melven Louis came away with an interception. The defense did not allow a score for the first three quarters and sacked the quarterback five times
Quarterback Tyler Krueger had a big game throwing two touchdowns to Jayson Serda and Austin Tidwell.
Rushing the ball, Jordan Llamas took two into the end zone, and Brian Wilkinson ran for one, as well.
Kyle Lopez would score his first varsity touchdown with a pass from sophomore quarterback Robert Flores for the last score of the night.
The Manzano defense allowed a score late in the fourth quarter, however, which would end the game with the score 42-6.
[ home | to top ] October 2009. Article by Isaac Nieto.
I’m back, I’m gone, I’m back again! Who am I? The answer is Brett Favre. Football season is back and so is he.
Favre signed a two-year, 25 million dollar contract with the Minnesota Vikings after denying retirement for the second time. He decided he wanted to return to the NFL because he didn’t want to live with regrets.
Favre sure didn’t regret playing his first game of the season against the Cleveland Browns. “I had a blast…It wasn’t a 400-yard passing game, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as we win, that’s what it’s all about,” explained Favre.
The 39-year-old quarterback made his two hundred seventieth consecutive start Sunday, September 13 after throwing for 110 yards and one touchdown in Minnesota’s 34-20 victory against Cleveland.
With a new quarterback behind the center of Minnesota, and a dominant defensive line, the Vikings should be in position to defend their NFC North title, and may be Super Bowl contenders. But to win the title, they’ll need stability at the sport’s most critical position.
That’s where Favre comes in. Over his many years in the NFL, he’s broken many records. He’s thrown for the most passing yards (65,237), most touchdowns thrown (465), and most consecutive starts (270).
Adrian Peterson, the reigning NFL rushing leader, hopefully won’t be alone in the gaining yards any longer.
Favre has 19 years of experience as a quarterback and hopes to be a very key component, “Will he be able to last all 16 games this season?” Favre has been struggling with minor injuries before the regular season even began. A slight tear was found in his right rotator cuff while arthroscopic surgery was being performed on the quarterback’s passing shoulder.
During some practice sessions in Mississippi, Favre said, “The arm has felt not 100 percent but pretty good. Good enough to make the throws I need to make.” He was also struggling with chronically sore ankles and ribs.
He might be sore, but Favre is known for his durability, as seen throughout his career. Favre will be battling through injury and doubt throughout the season, but if he hopes to win a Super Bowl title, he’ll have to ignore those factors.
No one is absolutely sure what will happen with Favre this season. We’ll just have to wait and see.