ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Even though Manzano’s high-powered offense dominated most of the attention this season, Monarchs coach Chad Adcox has crowed about his defense all year long.

Saturday, they showed why.

Polishing off a historic undefeated season in Class 6A, top-ranked Manzano (13-0) knocked down a Hail Mary pass into the end zone in the final seconds to beat La Cueva (11-2), 14-7, Saturday afternoon in an unexpected defensive struggle at sold out Wilson Stadium to capture the school’s first ever state football title.

“Our defense played well all day,” Manzano coach Chad Adcox told NMPreps afterwards. “They saved us a lot of times. They played huge all game just like they have done all year. And the offense made some plays.”