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Kirtland all over Gallup, 54-14

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Bengals experience eighth straight loss

The Kirtland High School Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in defeating Gallup 54-14 in a District 1-5A football game played at Public School Stadium Nov. 4.

Kirtland junior quarterback Bryson Dowdy threw for two touchdowns and rushed for a third. Sophomore running back Jacob Franco of Kirtland racked up 107 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

When the Kirtland took the big lead, Broncos’ head coach Greg Jenks inserted some second and third stringers so they could get some game experience.

“We are very happy with the win,” Jenks said after the game. “At this point in the season, every game is important no matter who the other team is.”

The Bengals looked to be in trouble right from the start of the game. Zach Van Duren returned the opening kickoff 69 yards for what turned into a long evening for Gallup. The Bengals ended the game with 160 yards on the ground and 58 in the air.

Kirtland came into the game having lost three of its last four games. Those losses were to Farmington (63-32), Miyamura (42-12) and Bloomfield (41-27). Each loss was a 5A game. For Gallup, the game was the eighth consecutive loss after winning its first two games. The losses were by an average scoring margin of 48 points.

Gallup head coach Josh Olsen could be heard shouting encouragement to the Bengals during the game, particularly on defense and with up front.

The Broncos finished the 2016 football season 6-4, 2-3 and play Las Lunas this weekend in a state playoff game. The Bengals fell to 2-8, 0-5.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent