'Interception was key for us': Montwood uses strong second half to beat Burges, 29-13

Felix F. Chavez
El Paso Times

In a matchup of two of El Paso's top teams in recent years, Montwood topped Burges,  29-13 Thursday night at the SISD Student Activities Complex. 

Strong second half for Rams

The Rams (1-2) used an interception to gain momentum early in the second half. Caleb Montes intercepted an Andrew Routledge pass at the Burges 12 and three plays later, quarterback Kevin Melendez found Nathanial Carmona with a 3-yard touchdown pass. The Rams put the finishing touches on the game in the fourth quarter. 

Running back Izayuh Claudio scored on a 5-yard touchdown run that was set up by two 15-yard penalties on Burges (1-2) and a 15-yard catch by Yamil Oaxaca. The Rams added a touchdown pass from Isaac Galvan to Ian Cano to go up 26-6. 

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The Rams also have a strong kicking game and got a 29-yard field goal from Diego Saballos to cap the scoring. He also made a field goal earlier this season against Midland High. 

Montwood faced Burges in a non-district high school football game at the SISD Student Activities Complex on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in El Paso, Texas.

Even first half

Burges and Montwood each scored once and went to halftime tied at 6. Missouri commit Tavorus Jones scored the Mustangs touchdown on a 21-yard touchdown run in the first half and Montwood answered late in the first half on a 2-yard touchdown catch by Oaxaca. 

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Both teams had other chances to score in the first half. Burges had a drive stall inside Montwood territory in the first quarter and the Rams had two drives stall inside the Burges 30 stall in the second quarter. 

Jones adds second half TD

Jones showed why's so explosive when he scored on a 90-yard run in the fourth quarter on a hook and ladder play to cut the Rams lead to 26-13. 

What the coach is saying

"Caleb is a major force for us in terms of leadership and he's a playmaker on defense," Rams coach Ariel Famaligi said. "His interception was key for us. Our defense did a good job and our offense did some good things in the second half. It's a nice way to end non-district play. Burges is a good team and Tavorus Jones is a great player, you always have to be aware of where he's at all the time."

What the players are saying

"In the second half we were much sharper, more crisp," Montes said. "We've grown a lot over the past three weeks. We played three good teams in Midland High, San Angelo Central and Burges. These games will help us prepare for district play. It was a team effort in this win against Burges. Everyone stepped up and did their part."

Next week

The Rams take next week off before beginning District 1-6A play. Burges is on the road at Hanks. 

Montwood faced Burges in a non-district high school football game at the SISD Student Activities Complex on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 in El Paso, Texas.

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Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.