Manzano defeats Bernalillo 39-24 to advance in 4A playoffs

Manzano advanced to the quarterfinals of the Nusenda Credit Union 4A Football Championships after defeating Bernalillo 39-24 on Saturday night at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque.

The Monarchs, who are the seventh seed in the bracket, outscored the 10th-seeded Spartans 27-0 in the second half. Bernalillo had led 17-12 at the halftime break but could not hold onto the advantage as the game progressed.

The contest was marked by a high number of penalties, particularly in the first half. Officials called double-digit penalties in each of the first two quarters, and the second quarter alone took nearly an hour to complete. Frequent false starts, holding calls, and roughing the passer penalties stopped the flow of the game and kept the score close for much of the first half.

Bernalillo built its early lead through defensive plays and quick scoring. Riley Tafoya intercepted a Manzano pass on the Monarchs' first drive of the game. The Spartans also gained possession after a muffed kickoff by Manzano, with Brandon Lovato recovering the ball. Running back Davontae Richards then scored a rushing touchdown to give Bernalillo a 10-0 lead after the first quarter.

Tafoya made another impact in the first half by returning a kickoff for a touchdown. This play helped Bernalillo retake the lead after Manzano's Diego Garcia scored late in the second quarter. Despite Manzano missing multiple extra point attempts, the Monarchs finished the first half down 17-12.

The momentum shifted decisively in the second half. Manzano's Broden Price returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown to start the scoring surge. The Monarchs added another touchdown shortly after, aided by three consecutive roughing the passer penalties against the Bernalillo defense. Richards added another rushing touchdown for the Spartans, but Manzano pulled away in the fourth quarter with two more scores, including another long run by Price.

This result reverses the outcome of last season's first-round matchup, when Bernalillo eliminated Manzano from the playoffs. The Monarchs will now face St. Pius X in the quarterfinals, while the Spartans' season ends.