Del Valle rides defense to key District 1-5A Division II victory over Canutillo

The showdown between Del Valle and Canutillo was billed as a District 1-5A Division II championship game that would be decided by the matchup between the Conquistadors' unstoppable offense and the Eagles' unmovable defense.

Del Valle and star quarterback Jake Fette got the edge in that battle, but that isn't why the Conquistadors came away with a 31-14 victory that put them in the driver's seat for a district title.

Quite quietly, Del Valle has assembled an elite defense of its own, a unit that is most responsible for this 3-0 start, and Friday with so much on the line, it was dominant.

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The Conquistadors began the game with a goal-line stand, gave up three first downs and 80 yards in a first half when they pulled away, then forced two turnovers in the second half when Canutillo started moving the ball.

All season they've heard about how good Canutillo's defense is, and that defense is splendid. Now is time for the Del Valle defense to start getting that respect.

Quoting the Del Valle Conquistadors team

"We're better, we showed we're the best defense in the city and nobody can touch our defense," linebacker Max Giron said. "We played hard, physical and fast."

Coach Rudy Contreras built on that.

"I'm so proud of this defense. I'm proud of this whole team," he said. "All week we've heard (Canutillo) has the best defense in the city and they have a really good defense. But you know what, so do we. Our guys believe that and wanted to come out and show that. I'm really proud of their effort, four quarters of Del Valle, relentless football."

Conquistadors get quick start on 'D'

That started right away. On the second play of the game, Fette (12-of-25 passing for 226 yards with a touchdown pass and two touchdown runs) fumbled the ball away on his own 23-yard line. Canutillo got as far as the Conquistador 2, but on fourth down Del Valle made the stand when the defense swarmed Rene Huerta before he could reach the line.

Fette then led the Conquistadors 98 yards in 10 plays, including a perfect 50-yard strike to Andres Mei that set up Fette's 1-yard run. Fette started 5-for-5 for 85 yards.

"Those guys (on defense) had my back, it's amazing," Fette said. "I fumbled on the second play of the game, that's a big mistake and for them not to give up points, that helps a ton."

Del Valle score on its next possession with a 40-yard Fette run and took control of the game it would never relinquish. The half ended at 21-0 when Fette found Dylan Gonzalez for a 27-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

At that point Del Valle had as many touchdowns as Canutillo had first downs, and while the Eagles offense was much better in the second half, the Conquistadors had enough answers.

"They are a good defense but our offense can makes some plays," Contreras said. "They did. We're led by Jake Fette but it was a team effort in a big way."

That team effort began on defense and ended with everyone wearing Del Valle white covered in glory.

Up next

Canutillo makes the short trip to El Paso High to take on the Tigers at 7 Friday night. Del Valle heads back home, where it will face Jefferson at 7 p.m. Friday.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Del Valle rides defense to key District 1-5A Division II victory over Canutillo