Española Valley Falls Short in Historic Playoff Run Against St. Pius

Albuquerque, NM—In a hard-fought contest at Nusenda Community Stadium, Española Valley’s football team faced defeat against St. Pius with a score of 31-22 in the Class 4A State Tournament semifinal. The loss did not overshadow the Sundevils’ record-breaking season as they concluded with nine victories, a landmark achievement for the team.

«This isn’t the end of our story, it’s just the beginning,» stated Tylon Wilder, head coach of the Sundevils, addressing his team after the game. Despite the setback, Wilder highlighted the significance of reaching the semifinals for the first time. «To some teams getting this far and losing is a disappointment, but us—we’ve never been to the semis, we’ve never played in this stadium, and our guys are happy to be here.»

The match saw St. Pius, now advancing to the state championship against top-seeded Bloomfield, demonstrate formidable play. St. Pius quarterback Isaiah Carpenter threw 15 completions on 28 attempts for 262 yards, securing three touchdowns. His prime target, Cayl Cox-Iggins, contributed significantly with 127 yards from seven catches and one touchdown.

The Sundevils showed resilience, managing to close the gap in the second half through their running game, which amassed 381 yards, though their passing game struggled with no completions from two attempts. The team’s run-based offense, led by Irvin Primero, kept the score competitive despite trailing 31-7 at one point.

Senior Anthony Mendoza provided a spark with a crucial interception return for a touchdown, while later efforts included touchdowns by Victor Parra and Andres Valenzuela in a valiant attempt to rally back. «We’re building a culture where winning and playing a certain way are expected,» added Wilder.

The game day atmosphere was electric with Sundevils fans showing strong support, underscoring the community’s growing anticipation for future successes in playoff competitions. The presence and enthusiasm of the fans reflected the broader community’s support, as many gathered post-game to celebrate the team’s achievements despite the defeat.

Nick Sandoval, a key player, expressed gratitude for the changes the sport had brought to his life, emphasizing the camaraderie and personal growth experienced throughout the season. «This sport, this team kind of pulled me out of a life that maybe wasn’t going so great,» Sandoval shared emotionally during the post-game reflections.