Montwood holds off Coronado in thriller Thursday night

Evan Cisneros came up with two interceptions and a game-saving tackle to lead the Montwood Rams to a thrilling 17-10 victory over the Coronado Thunderbirds Thursday night at the SAC.

The T-Birds trailed by a touchdown with less than 30 seconds to go in the fourth quarter when running back Garrett Slaughter nearly managed to score the game-tying touchdown near the right pylon.

But Cisneros was able to bring him down inbounds before he reached the end zone. Slaughter appeared a bit shaken up on the play, and in the chaos, Coronado was unable to get another play in before the clock ran out. Montwood players stormed the field after the final whistle, celebrating the end of their three-game losing streak.

“I just knew I had to get the tackle for my team,” said Cisneros. “They did so much on the goal line. I just couldn’t give up on that play. But it was a team effort. The defense held them to ten points. That was a great job. And one of those touchdowns I allowed, so I had to make up for it.”

The Rams are now 3-3 on the year and 1-0 in district play while the Thunderbirds fell to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in district action.

Montwood jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first half behind a Jason Fernandez passing touchdown to Aaron Morales and a Fernandez rushing touchdown as well.

The Thunderbirds answered back later in the second quarter on a Ben Carney touchdown strike to David Lemaster to make it a 14-10 game.

The only other points in the game came on a Montwood field goal in the second half.

“I can’t say enough good things about our defense,” said Rams head coach Ariel Famaligi. “You know, they had their backs against the wall right there at the end of the game, and they came up with a huge stop. So, hats off to our defense. And hats off to Coronado for a great game tonight.”