Squaring off against Sangre de Cristo on Saturday, the Dove Creek High School football team gave its home fans plenty to cheer about during a 40-22 victory. The win marked the first for the Bulldogs this season and helped avenge a 68-0 loss to the Thunderbirds last season.

Dove Creek led 12-8 at halftime before outscoring Sangre de Cristo 22-6 in the third quarter to all but wrap up the win.

Among the players who played a key role in Dove Creek’s victory was quarterback Ryan Martinez, who completed 8 of 11 passes for 150 yards. The junior also led the Bulldogs in tackles and had several key runs.

Also putting forth a fine effort for the Bulldogs was sophomore Cade Curtis, who ran for 118 yards and returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

“We were outsized big time,” Dove Creek head coach Shane Baughman said. “Sangre de Cristo had some big kids, but our kids played with a lot of heart and swarmed to the ball.”

Dove Creek’s victory marked the first for a boys team from the school since last football season as the team’s basketball team and baseball teams failed to win a game this year. An influx of freshman and sophomore talent appears to be energizing the school’s athletic programs.

“We haven’t had a win in any (boys) sport for a year now, and this was a good win,” Baughman said. “It was nice for the kids, and hopefully more wins will be coming.”

Currently 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the Southwest League, Dove Creek’s next game will at Del Norte High School on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.