The Sanger Apaches scored a go-ahead touchdown with four minutes left in County/Metro Athletic Conference opener for both teams, but the Madera Coyotes weren’t done.
That was enough time for Madera quarterback Colt Nelson to lead the Coyotes down the field. However, time ran out on the Coyotes when Nelson’s pass on the final play of the game fell incomplete in a 36-33 loss to the Apaches in Tom Flores Stadium on Friday.
Sanger’s Orlando Douglas scored his third touchdown of the game to give the Apaches a 36-33 lead.
The Coyotes outgained the Apaches. Nelson was 25-of-35 for 223 yards while the rushing game was effective all night. Jacob Garcia rushed for 100 yards.
Sanger took the early 14-0 lead before Jacob Velasquez caught a ball in the flat and ran 19 yards into the end zone to cut the lead to 14-7.
Sanger added another touchdown for a 15-point lead. However, Nelson found Jevon Davis for a 25-yard touchdown to cut the lead to eight at the half.
Garcia caught a 14-yard pass from Nelson for a touchdown to open the second half. The two-point conversion failed and Madera trailed 22-20.
Joziah Velasquez scored from three-yards out for 19 straight Coyote points. The two-point conversion failed, but Madera led 26-22.
Douglas scored from three-yards out to take a 29-26 lead.
Garcia gave the Coyotes a fourth quarter lead with a two-yard touchdown run for a four-point lead before Sanger answered with a game-winning drive.