The Del Valle Conquistadores traveled all the way from El Paso, Texas to take on the Central Spartans in what was only the 2nd high school football matchup between a California and Texas high school this season (the other being when Mater Dei Santa Ana traveled to Duncanville, Texas to take on the Duncanville Panthers early on in the season). While the Del Valle Conquistadores got the early lead and held a lead for a good part of the game, it would be the Central Spartans who would come away with the victory, 36-28.
For the visiting Conquistadores, senior free safety Santiago Sianez had an interception early on in the game that led to Del Valle opening up scoring in the game. Junior wide receiver Damian Diaz caught a short touchdown reception to open up scoring in the game, putting the Conquistadores up 7-0 early on, after the extra point. Junior quarterback Jesse Ramos made a multitude of key throws and was instrumental in helping Del Valle put a significant amount of points on the board. He also called his own number twice, taking two short quarterback draws in for touchdowns. Senior runningback Kriztian Martinez made several key breakaway runs for Del Valle, and was also instrumental in trying to help mount their comeback. Junior wide receiver Eli Molina had Del Valle’s last touchdown of the game, making the final score, Conquistadores – 28, Spartans – 36.
For the Spartans, freshman wide receiver Sergio Garcia was all over the place offensively, making key receptions and two touchdowns. The first, opened up scoring for Central in the game, a 11-yard reception in the corner of the endzone, the second a jump-ball from 11-yards out. Junior kicker Mylas Rodriguez kicked a field goal early in the 2nd quarter, from 16-yards out, bringing the Del Valle lead to only 3 points. Junior wide receiver Charlie Sullivan was also instrumental in the Spartans’ victory Friday night, having multiple key receptions, and two touchdown receptions, one a 59-yard touchdown reception, which made Central take the lead 17-10 going into halftime, and the other widening the Spartans’ lead, 23-14. Senior Dominic Lerma recovered a Del Valle fumble, giving the Spartans prime field position in the 2nd quarter. Senior Elijah Perez was credited with a pick-six, further widening Central’s lead, 36-21. Near the end of the game, Senior Daymian Nelson broke up a fourth-down would-be first-down reception for Del Valle, giving Central the ball back in the final minutes of the game. The arm of junior quarterback Damian Rodriguez was key in the Central victory (12-21, 226 yds, 3 TDs).
With the loss, Del Valle still keeps their strong winning record to hold true at 5-2. The Conquistadores start district play this week when they travel to take on the El Dorado Aztecs of El Paso Friday night.
With the victory, Central improves to 3-4 on the season, after a tough non-league schedule. The Spartans resume Imperial Valley League play Friday night when they host the Imperial Tigers at Cal Jones Field at 7pm. Central, having a big win over the Calexico Bulldogs (42-6), to open up their league slate of games on October 1st, come into the matchup against the Tigers with a 1-0 Imperial Valley League record.
Check out our broadcast highlights from Central’s 36-28 victory over the Del Valle Conquistadores of El Paso, Texas.
