First homegame claims sole victory
Rachel Hazlett
Mesa Legend

Chinh Chi Pham Mesa Legend

Wide receiver, Chase Kisler, runs the ball for the Thunderbirds as defensive back Zachary Bowman attempts a tackle in the game against New Mexico Military Academy Broncos.

The 52-32 triumph of MCC’s football team over New Mexico Military Academy was a result of “mental preparation,” according to wide receiver Steve Kennedy.
After a rocky start, the first home game of the year also marked the first victory this season.
Mesa began the game receiving the ball, and fought aggressively throughout the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns, and holding the New Mexico Military Academy Broncos to one touchdown.
Going into the second quarter with a 14-6 lead, the Thunderbirds kept their momentum going. Less than a minute into the quarter, Jeremiah White ran a touchdown in.
Mesa ran the offense with poise. Balancing the rushing and passing plays was a goal achieved by MCC according to head coach Dan Dunn.
As the end of the first half approached, the Thunderbirds had the ball and the score was 21-6. With just under eight seconds left on the clock, Ryan Klein kicked a 50-yard field goal to bring the score to 24-6.
Defensively the Thunderbirds stayed on top of the game. Leo Christensen and Yimin Bauman were key players on the defensive end.
The Broncos started the second half with the ball and fullback Kendrick Johnson led New Mexico’s offense. He scored a one-yard touchdown run, giving the Broncos hope of a comeback.
Minutes later quarterback Greg Mortensen threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Steve Kennedy. Mortensen later stated that in previous games their offense was mostly on track but failed in the “red zone.”
MCC ended the third quarter with a touchdown and New Mexico started off the third with one as well. The Broncos kept fighting despite the Thunderbirds still holding a 20-point lead.
MCC scored a touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Broncos came right back with a score of their own when Toney McNeil ran a 95-yard touchdown off of the kickoff return. The two-point conversion brought the score to 45-26.
The win was in clear sight. Both teams would score once more before the game ended. Eric Williams scored a touchdown for Mesa and Zachary Bowman scored for the Broncos on a 76-yard touchdown pass.
After the game, Coach Dunn stated that this game was victorious because “we didn’t kill ourselves.” He praised his team’s performance, “the offense is starting to gel.”
Mortensen said that he felt that the team’s intensity from the game would carry on to the next games.
Wide receiver Chase Kisler said, “the offense put some good things together that we were missing.”
The Thunderbird’s fight was strong, and they plan to continue on into a winning streak the rest of the season.
“We hope to finish the season 7-3,” Mortensen commented.

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