Alamogordo N. M- Alamogordo shook off a slow start Friday night, scoring three second-half touchdowns, including one on special teams, to beat Gadsden 23-14 in district play.

The win lifts the Tigers to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in district.

Gadsden struck first. With 9:22 left in the opening quarter, Rosalío Gomez hit Anthony Palomares on a 20-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point made it 7-0. That score held through the first quarter as Alamogordo’s offense struggled to find a rhythm.

The Tigers got on the board late in the second quarter when Gabe Russell connected on a 36-yard field goal with 1:49 left. Gadsden took a 7-3 lead into halftime.

Alamogordo came out of the break with momentum. Nathanael Cereceres broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run, and Russell’s extra point gave the Tigers their first lead, 10-7, with 8:26 left in the third quarter.

The lead lasted less than a minute. On the next possession, Gadsden’s Armando Ramirez answered with a 78-yard touchdown run, and the extra point put the visitors back in front 14-10 with 7:42 remaining in the quarter.

The Tigers’ special teams then made the play of the night. With 31 seconds left in the third quarter, Tanner Nowaczck blocked a Gadsden punt and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Russell’s kick made it 17-14 Alamogordo heading into the fourth..

Leyton Niland put the game out of reach midway through the final quarter with a 41-yard touchdown run at the 6:31 mark. The two-point try failed, but the Tigers’ defense held the rest of the way to seal the 23-14 victory.

Alamogordo hosts Deming on Thursday.

Around the County

Tularosa 25, Capitan 6: The Wildcats improved to 5-3 and 1-1 in district. Tularosa hosts Legacy Academy next Friday.

Mesilla Valley Christian 50, Cloudcroft 0 (8-man):The Bears fell to 2-6 and 0-3 in district. Cloudcroft closes the regular season next Saturday at Mescalero Apache.

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