Come the fall in Santa Fe and football fans look forward to the annual clash between the Santa Fe High School Demons and cross-town rivals, the St. Michael’s High School Horsemen. 1961 marked the 40th clash since the rivalry began in 1924 (the math is off because the teams played each other twice in 1925, 1926 and 1927). In 1960, the Demons handed the Horsemen the worst defeat in half a century – 26 to nothing. For 1961, it was a grudge match.
Head Coach for the Demons was Lavon McDonald and he had a great team – Junie Apodaca and Charlie Bennett, the state's two highest scorers. The Demon defensive line was tough with Sammy Roybal and John Martinez anchoring. Horsemen coach Dick Shelley was relying on fullback John Trujillo, speedy wingback David Fernandez and tailback Mike Miller. The defensive line was tough and, for a change, heavier than the Demon's. Joe Fornelli, a 190 pound tackle, headed the Horsemen defensive wall.
Coach Shelley had witnessed how effective the Demon attack, based on a double wing formation, could be. So, for weeks, he drilled his team in a specialized defense. But all for nothing.
Demon superfan Jamie Koch attended the St. Mike's practice, took notes and reported the defense plans to Lavon McDonald. To his credit, McDonald refused the offer of secret information and called Shelley instead. Shelley was boiling but it was too late to do anything about it.
Gametime. The Demons were heavily favored but in the opening minutes, it looked like the Horsemen might pull off an upset. Horsemen running star Dave Fernandez took the ball deep into Demon territory and crossed the goal line but the TD was called back for an off sides violation. On the very next play, Horseman John Trujillo fumbled and Demon linebacker Tom Hartley quickly scooped up the ball and ran back 80 yards for a Demon touchdown. Then the fat lady began to sing.
It was a Demon dream and a Horseman nightmare after that. Demon quarterback Stan Quintana kept throwing perfect passes and receivers Charlie Bennett, Charlie Hughes and Tommy Maxwell kept catching them. Touchdown after touchdown for the Demons until they piled up 45 points.
The only St. Mike’s bright spot was a big kickoff return by John Trujillo – 85 yards for a touchdown, but the conversion attempt by David Fernandez failed. 6 measly points.
Final score Demons 45, Horsemen 6 – for you record keepers out there, that was the biggest margin of victory between the two teams in the entire history of Horseman-Demon football.
1 comment:
In 1976, the Horsemen beat the Demons 33-0 giving the Demons the worst defeat ever during my senior year. Ooopps!
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