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Sandia falls a yard short in 21-14 loss to Mayfield
David G Pierre/The Associated Press
Sandia quarterback Derris Jackson fails to score despite getting within inches of the goal line at the end of the game against the tight defense of Mayfield, during a Class 5A football playoff game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, in Las Cruces, N.M.
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LAS CRUCES — Derris Jackson rammed through, passed over and danced around Mayfield's defense filling the stat sheet for 316 total yards in Saturday afternoon's Class 5A semifinal.
But in the end it was the fraction of a yard Jackson and the Sandia offense couldn't gain that ended the Matadors season.
Down by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter -- the scoreboard at the Field of Dreams wasn't working so it was difficult to determine exactly how much time remained -- Sanidia drove 52 yards. The ball rested less than a yard from the goal line.
Mayfield's defense stopped Jackson on three runs and deflected a pass attempt to hold on for a 21-14 victory.
The No. 1 seeded Trojans will play No. 3 seed and district rival Alamogordo next Saturday for the state championship. Mayfield (12-0) has won 26 straight games.
"I thought we had it," said a teary-eyed Michael Scarlett, whose 35-yard reception from Jackson set up Sandia's final few plays. "We had done it so many times this season. (Jackson) went over the top (on fourth down) and he was in. It just didn't go that way though."
David G. Pierre/The Associated Press
Sandia reciever Michael Scarlett catches a pass as Mayfield defensive back Nathan Enriquez covers on the play in the second half of a Class 5A football semifinal playoff game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, in Las Cruces, N.M.
Scarlett, who recently signed with UNM, snagged six balls for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Outside the visitor's locker room, Scarlett and Jackson embraced. The two, whose signatures had been srawled all over so many dramatic plays and moments at Sandia, almost carried the Matadors to their first state championship apperance since 1977.
Many Sandia players and coaches thought they had.
Matadors coach Kevin Barker disputed two calls that cost his team 14 possible points.
In the third quarter Sandia, which outgained Mayfield, 344-296, drove inside the 5. Scarlett tried to run the ball in around the left corner. As he was dragged down near the goal line, he fumbled. Barker and Scarlett claimed Scarlett's knee was down before the ball popped loose.
On their final drive, Jackson appeared to land close to the goal line twice. Barker said Jackson crossed the goal line twice.
"The (official) just didn't want to make the call," Barker said. "I don't know why, he just swallowed his whistle. But I'm not blaming the refs by any means."
Barker acknowledged his team made plenty of mistakes that cost them. The Matadors had three turnovers -- all inside the Mayfield 20.
He also credited the Trojans.
"Not many people stop Derris for no gain," Barker said. "For (Mayfield) to do it twice, they have the heart of a champion."
They are also a bit sneaky.
Mayfield's Nathan Enriquez broke through for a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to break a 14-14 tie. On the ensuing kickoff, Trojans kicker Travis Sanchez caught Sandia -- most of the fans and even his coach Michael Bradley -- off guard with an short kick. He tapped it, watched it roll 10 yards and, with not a Matador in sight, recovered the ball for Mayfield.
Shari Vialpando/Las Cruces Sun-News via AP
Mayfield running back John-Yanni Suter slides away from Sandia's Terrance Woodfin in the second quarter of a Class 5a football semifinal in Las Cruces, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006.
Despite an ankle injury to quarterback Matt Sandoval, who was recently named Gatorade state football player of the year, Mayfield's run-heavy offense had finally started to wear down the Matadors. It looked like the Trojans could just run out the clock. But Carlos Olivas fumbled and Jackson recovered for Sandia at the Matadors 47.
Ten plays later, on fourth-and-goal from inches away, Jackson lunged over the scrum and reached for the goal line. The officials ruled Jackson fumbled and Mayfield recovered. Even if he hadn't, it might not have mattered.
"We went blow for blow with the best team in the state," Jackson said. "And I'm sure we left some hearts pounding (in the Mayfield bleachers). We left it all out there. That's why I'm so proud of them. I love those guys."
David G Pierre/The Associated Press
Sandia wide receiver Josh Carson reacts on the field after Sandia lost 21-14 to Mayfield during a Class 5A football playoff game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, in Las Cruces, N.M.
Barker was also felt pride, especially in light of what he called built-in adversity.
"They woke up at 5:30 (a.m.) to drive down here," Barker said. "We stopped at 8 to eat breakfast in Socorro. We got here at 11 to try to play at 1. APS wouldn't send us down here (Friday night) like I wanted. I wanted to be able to practice here. I hope it changes ... But we just couldn't get that last punch."
