FLORENCE– Scoring early and often while holding their hosts to less than 10 yards of offense, Alamosa opened 2017 with a “mercy rule” victory over once-powerful Florence in a “zero week” game.

The Mean Moose displayed a bevy of running backs with at least six players running the ball for nearly 300 yards, led by senior Reis Martinez who had 134 yards unofficially, including 50 in the first quarter. That combined with accurate passing by junior quarterback John Lujan kept the Huskies scrambling as the AHS signal caller went 7-of-9 for 104 yards unofficially.

Friday’s opener also featured place kicking by Katie Gallegos, a senior soccer player at AHS, who went five of six on PAT kicks including a final long one after a five-yard penalty. Adams State freshman kicker Becca Longo was probably paying attention

Junior Chad Jackson had a stellar night on both sides of the ball, snagging two interceptions and pulling in five pass receptions for 65 yards unofficially. The Huskies committed three turnovers.

Aside from Martinez’ stellar performance, the Moose saw great rushing efforts by Ben Wuckert, sophomore Brendon Madril, Angelo Ramirez and Lujan. Junior Wuckert’s 62-yard TD scamper with three minutes left in the game set the clock running, and allowed him to finish with 84 yards unofficially.

Alamosa’s stalwart defense also scored a safety on Florence, running the score to 36-0 with 5:09 left in the game.

Lujan notched the Maroons’ first two scores on a fourth-down, four-yard dash with six minutes left in the first period, followed by a QB sneak from one-yard out at the 3:30 mark of the opening stanza.

The Moose padded the score in the second quarter, Lujan hitting Madril on an 11-yard pass and the latter scoring on a two-yard run with 32 seconds left to make the half-time tilt, 27-0.

Martinez punched it in from four yards out at the 5:39 mark of the third quarter to make it 34-0 before Wuckert’s 62-yard blast wrapped up the scoring.

Alamosa will open at home Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., hosting perennial power Buena Vista, coached by Sanford native Matt Flavin.