Defense helps Spartans top Eldorado

The recipe for Cimarron-Memorial’s football success simply has been two ingredients — defense and running the football.

In their first two games, the Spartans didn’t allow a second-half point in wins over Cheyenne and Sierra Vista.

The Spartans’ rushing game wasn’t quite up to par Friday, but the Cimarron defense stole the show.

Cimarron intercepted four Eldorado passes, including Maurice Bennett’s 58-yard return for a score early in the game, as the Spartans remained undefeated with a gritty 20-7 win over the visiting Sundevils.

The Spartans (3-0) made things difficult for Eldorado quarterbacks Joshua Brown and Matthew VanOrden, as the Sundevils completed 15 of 34 passes for only 104 yards.

“Our defense was simply amazing,” said Cimarron coach John Parcells. “They were very well prepared, and hats off to the kids and the coaching staff. They executed the gameplan, and all of their preparation showed tonight.”

Eldorado (1-3) had just one big drive, going 89 yards in 13 plays for its lone touchdown, early in the fourth quarter. Besides that drive, the Sundevils managed just 117 yards.

“We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game,” said Parcells. “The team we saw on film wasn’t the team we played tonight. They (Eldorado) were very physical, and they made things tough on offense.”

Cimarron’s Michael Barnson, who had 389 yards in the first two games, was limited to 74 yards on 17 carries, and had just two runs of more than 10 yards. Cimarron rushed for just 78 yards.

However, Cimarron did make a pair of big plays — both by Bennett. His interception on Brown’s second pass of the game gave the Spartans a 7-0 lead just 3:12 into the game.

The Spartans closed the half with their best drive of the game, going 64 yards in 10 plays. Quarterback Derek Morefield scored from the 1-yard line with four seconds left in the half to give Cimarron a 14-0 lead.

On Cimarron’s first offensive play of the third quarter, Bennett took a quick pass from Morefield, danced by a defender and raced untouched 76 yards for the score and a 20-0 lead.

Eldorado didn’t quit after pulling to within 20-7 on Brown’s 1-yard run. The Sundevils returned to Spartan territory on their next series, but VanOrden was picked off by Dallas Cervantes at the Cimarron 27.

Morefield threw for 134 yards for Cimarron, which finished with 212 total yards.

Eldorado rushed for 96 yards, led by Brown with 41 yards on 14 carries.