Snow loses to New Mexico Military Academy

ByRobert Stevens

ROSWELL, N.M.—Snow College's football team struggled to move the ball and committed nine interceptions Saturday, Oct. 17, as New Mexico Military Institute defeated the Badgers 35-7 in their final road game of the regular season.

Snow College defender tackling an opposing ball carrier
A Snow College defender wraps up an opposing ball carrier as players battle for position during a recent game against Blinn. Photo by Kyle Parry.

The Badgers managed just 174 yards of total offense, including 26 rushing yards, while the Broncos capitalized on turnovers and built a 14-0 first-quarter lead at the Wool Bowl in Roswell.

Snow College fell to 3-4 overall with the loss, its third consecutive defeat in Southwest Junior College Football Conference competition.

The Badgers' offense struggled throughout the afternoon, converting just one of 13 third-down attempts and one of five fourth-down opportunities.

Quarterback Jack Thow completed six of 24 passes for 124 yards. Dylan Story added 13 passing yards, while Taft McClure contributed 11.

Snow College's official box score credited New Mexico Military Institute with nine interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. Thow was charged with five interceptions, McClure with three and Story with one.

Despite the passing difficulties, several Badgers contributed offensively.

Running back Jadyn Buckner led Snow's ground attack with 59 yards on 11 carries, including a 37-yard run. Louie Hamilton added 18 yards on five attempts, while Aquaylis Jordan contributed 13 yards.

However, losses on other rushing plays reduced Snow's team total to just 26 yards on 32 attempts.

Receiver Kade Haroldsen provided one of Snow's biggest offensive plays, hauling in a 62-yard reception. Haroldsen finished with three catches for 82 yards, leading the Badgers' receiving corps.

Snow College trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, and neither team scored in the second.

The Badgers finally reached the end zone in the third quarter, with Ian Sanches converting the extra point. New Mexico Military Institute also scored seven points in the period, leaving Snow trailing 21-7 entering the fourth.

The Broncos added two more touchdowns in the final quarter to secure the 35-7 victory.

While Snow's offense struggled, several defensive players recorded substantial contributions.

Lawrence Taylor V led the Badgers with 15 tackles and a sack. Jaden Manwaring added 10 tackles, while Caleb Darthard finished with nine tackles and a sack.

Mote Mounga contributed eight tackles, and Fale Atuaia recorded seven tackles and a sack.

Will Warner intercepted a pass for Snow, while the Badgers also recovered two New Mexico Military Institute fumbles.

Despite those defensive takeaways, Snow could not overcome its offensive difficulties. The Broncos finished with 336 yards of total offense, including 195 rushing yards.

Snow College also lost the time-of-possession battle, holding the ball for 24 minutes, 50 seconds, compared with 35:10 for New Mexico Military Institute.

The loss followed a 20-14 defeat against Blinn College on Oct. 3. Earlier in the season, Snow recorded victories over Cisco College and Tyler Junior College in its first season as a member of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference.

The Badgers will now return to Ephraim for their regular-season finale against Navarro College on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Terry Foote Stadium.