The Eastern New Mexico football team wrapped up its spring season in dramatic fashion as the Green Team pulled out a 21-16 victory over the Silver Team in the annual spring game at Greyhound Stadium on Friday night.
The Silver Team had the early momentum in the contest, as safety Ricky Barfield made a huge stop on fourth down and three at midfield on the Green Team’s opening possession.
Silver Team was able to get the ground game going on their first possession as All-American running back Paul Terry converted first downs on a pair of runs for 12 and 13 yards as well as a 13-yard run by quarterback Jacob Chavez to bring the ball down the Green 12-yard line.
The Green defense bent, but did not break as All-Lone Star Conference linebacker Noah Sweitzer made a huge tackle for loss followed by a Dodrey Nevins and Josiah Thomas assisted tackle for loss, limiting Silver to three points on a 35-yard field goal by All-LSC kicker Tyler Vargas for the first points of the game.
On their next offensive possession, the Green Team put together a strong offensive drive that featured a 21-yard run by Matthew Askew-Betts as well as 13 and 16-yard runs from Tafari Gomillion to drive the ball down to the three-yard line as the first quarter expired. On the first play of the second period, Askew-Betts was able to punch it in from three yards out to give the Green Team the 7-3 edge.
The Silver Team made some big plays on ensuing drive, including a 38-yard dash by Tyreick Branch as well as a 17-yard scamper by Cameron Smith, but the Green defense once again made a big stop. Daniel Garces made a crucial tackle on fourth down inside the redzone to keep the Silver Team off the board.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Silver Team was able to find paydirt on a 6-play, 62-yard drive capped off on a Dennis Hayden four-yard touchdown run, giving the Silver Team the 10-7 edge heading into the halftime break.
At halftime, the ENMU coaching staff gave out its annual spring awards to the top performers during the spring season.
On Silver Team’s opening drive of the second half, Green Team defensive back KeAyr Gragg made an acrobatic interception to set the Green Team up at the Silver 38-yard line. Green Team spared little time to take advantage as Green starting quarterback Wyatt Strand delivered a strike ENMU newcomer Zachary Fields for a 38-yard touchdown to reclaim a 14-10 lead over the Silver squad.
On Green’s next offensive drive, another ENMU newcomer Justin Mannyweather made several big plays, including a 21-yard reception and a 13-yard touchdown run to extend the Green Team lead to 21-10.
Green able to maintain its 11-point advantage until late in the fourth quarter when Terry found the endzone on a 15-yard run for the Silver Team, closing the gap to 21-16 with three minutes remaining. The Silver Team attempted a two-point conversion to make it a three-point game, but Green defensive back Vicente Walker made a clutch interception on the two-point try to keep it to a five-point game.
The Silver defense was able to come up with another huge defensive stop as Barfield forced a Green Team fumble and Silver linebacker Xavier Williams made the recovery on the Silver 21-yard line with 1:57 left, giving Silver one last chance at pulling out the win.
On the final drive of the game, Chavez was able to get some early momentum, completing an 11-yard pass to Zekeil Huerta and a 19-yard toss to the left sideline to Cameron Seabrook. Two plays later, Currie Thomason scampered for another 10 yards to bring the ball down to the Green 28-yard line.
A staple of the Green defense the entire night, they bent but did not break as they were able to force four consecutive incompletions to secure the 21-16 win.
Despite suffering the loss, the Silver Team outgained the Green Team 306-242 in total yards, including holding a 271-151 edge on the ground. The big difference turned out to be the turnover game as the Green defense forced three Silver turnovers while committing just one.
Terry turned in a big game on the ground for the Silver team as the All-American back carried for 126 yards on 25 attempts with a touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kevin McCracken tallied six tackles and a half tackle for loss while Barfield turned in a big game with six tackles and a forced fumble.
The Green Team had a balanced offensive performance with four guys rushing for at least 30 yards, led by Askew-Betts with 51 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Strand finished the game with a game-high 85 yards passing and a touchdown while Fields led the receiving efforts with 48 yards on two catches and a score.
The Green defense was led by Colby Russ, who turned in a 12-tackle performance with a pass breakup. Nevens finished with seven tackles, while Gragg tallied six with two tackles for loss and an interception. Walker also finished with six tackles and a pick while Daniel Garces recorded six tackles and a team-leading three tackles for loss.
The Hounds will now look forward to the 2019 season as Eastern will open the year with a non-conference home game against Missouri S&T on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Spring Award Winners
Offensive Leader of the Pack Leadership Award – Paul Terry
Defensive Leader of the Pack Leadership Award – Noah Sweitzer
“All-In” Offensive Accountability Award – Tyler Lynch
“All-In” Defensive Accountability Award – Rapi Sotoa
“All-Out” Offensive Extra Effort Award – Aseli Finau
“All-Out” Defensive Extra Effort Award – Kevin McCracken
Offensive Most Improved – Tafari Gomillion
Defensive Most Improved – Elijah Cofer
Offensive Iron Dog Weight Room Award – Bailey Adair
Defensive Iron Dog Weight Room Award – Troy Te’o
