Longhorns finish regular season unbeaten

LOGAN - The Longhorns completed an undefeated regular season, won a district title and nabbed the No. 1 seed in the six-man football playoffs with a 54-0 victory Friday over New Mexico School for the Deaf.

The game ended in the third quarter due to the mercy rule.

While pleased with the district crown and the top seed in the postseason, Logan coach Dwayne Roberts wasn't about to rest on his team's accomplishments.

"It's been a great season, but we're still not where we want to be," he said. "We've still got three more games that we need to take care of ... one game at a time and not overlook anybody."

The Longhorns learned Sunday afternoon they again will host eighth-seeded New Mexico School for the Deaf at 5 p.m. Friday in the state quarterfinals.

The winner plays the winner of No. 4-seeded Elida vs. No. 5 Roy-Mosquero on Nov. 8 or 9.

Second-seeded Grady (8-1) is in the other bracket and faces No. 7 Magdalena on Friday. Logan edged Grady 32-26 in overtime in early September. Mountainair (6-2) is the No. 3 seed. Logan has defeated every team in the six-man playoffs this season.

The state championship is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 16.

On Friday, Logan's running back tandem of Haden Judd and Stratton Schoonover combined for over 200 yards. Judd totaled 134 yards rushing and three touchdowns on six carries. Schoonover gained 73 yards on three carries and caught an 18-yard pass for a TD.

But it was Logan's defense that dominated. The Longhorns forced four turnovers, including two returned for touchdowns. Despite the Roadrunners amassing more than 200 yards of offense, Logan kept them from scoring, including after they'd advanced into the red zone three times.

"Yeah, the defense stepped up," Roberts said. "We let them move the ball a little more than what I'd like. We didn't start with as much fire as we needed to. But the defense stepped up when they needed to and made the plays we needed."

Logan (9-0) has allowed just 69 points this season - an average of about 8 1/2 per game.

"It's been our strength all year, our defense," Roberts said. "You can look at the scoreboards, and we're holding people down. Our offense can move the ball. But the key is to keep people off the board."

New Mexico School for the Deaf, based in Santa Fe, finished at 3-5 overall and 1-5 in district play.

Roadrunners coach Robert Huizar, signaling his deafness after the game, declined to comment.

Logan didn't waste much time scoring. On its first possession, the Longhorns used seven plays to go 40 yards, with Judd finishing the drive on a 7-yard touchdown run. Mason Wallin kicked the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

During their first possession, the Roadrunners used their speed to move the ball well, gaining a first down at Logan's 3-yard line. But NMSD's subsequent pass fell incomplete, and the Longhorns stopped a running play for no gain.

On third down, Logan defender Devin Kotara stepped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the pass near the goal line.

The turnover set up Judd's 61-yard touchdown run two plays later. Wallin's PAT kick was blocked, but Logan sported a 14-0 lead with about four minutes left in the first quarter.

On the Roadrunners' next drive, Kotara again intercepted a pass and this time returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Schoonover scored the extra point on a run for a 21-0 lead.

The Roadrunners next gained a first down at Logan's 15, but one play lost yardage, and holding penalty moved them further back. NMSD turned the ball over on downs.

After a catching a pass from Logan quarterback Aydin Kotara, Wallin broke a tackle and cruised down the field for a 35-yard TD. The kick was unsuccessful, but Logan led 27-0.

After consecutive runs by Schoonover and Judd for 25 and 13 yards respectively, Schoonover caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Kotara with 3:17 left in the second quarter.

Logan was going to attempt a PAT kick, but the snap sailed over the holder's head. Wallin grabbed the loose ball and chucked a pass across the field to Payson Nials, who rambled into the end zone for the extra point. Logan led 34-0.

On the next play from scrimmage, Jace Jackson stripped the ball from NMSD carrier Tyler Todorovic. Wallin picked up the fumble and returned it 30 yards for another touchdown. He kicked the PAT for a 42-0 lead with 2:57 left in the half.

Disaster struck again on the Roadrunners' next play. Ball carrier Alex Gonzalez-Lopez fumbled after being sandwiched between two Logan defenders, and Nials recovered at NMSD's 20.

Judd scored on a touchdown run the next play.

Logan had a chance to end the game by the 50-point mercy rule with a PAT kick. But a personal foul penalty at the end of the TD moved the ball back, forcing Wallin to try a 35-yard kick. The attempt was wide left, keeping the score at 48-0.

With a first down at Logan's 17-yard line, NMSD had a chance to score before halftime. But the Longhorns stymied three rushing attempts for meager yardage and sacked the quarterback to end the threat.

After NMSD turned the ball over on downs on the third quarter's opening possession, Roberts placed second-stringers into the offense.

Set up by Bill DeLuca's 23-yard run, Nate Romero caught a 7-yard TD pass from Mitchell Wall to end the game by the mercy rule with 2:10 left in the period.

Before the contest, Logan honored its six seniors - Judd, Nials, DeLuca, Romero, Jackson and Devin Kotara - in their final regular-season game.

"I'm going to miss these guys," Robert said. "These guys here kind of started with me when I came over in my junior high squad. I kind of have a special spot in my heart for all these boys. And they've kind of grown up in my program. So it's one of those bittersweet nights. I'm I'm happy for them, but yet I'm going to miss them."