Wingate Bears edge Gallup Bengals, 14–12, in rain-soaked battle

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Oct 16, 2025 | Football |

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

GALLUP

The Wingate Bears endured a torrential downpour and a flurry of turnovers Friday night at Angelo DiPaolo Memorial Stadium to slip past the Gallup Bengals 14–12 in a gritty, low-scoring contest.

Both teams struggled early as the rain made ball handling a challenge, trading turnovers on downs before Gallup broke through. The Bengals’ second offensive possession covered 76 yards, capped by junior running back Truitt Lewis, who powered in from the 1-yard line. The extra-point attempt missed, leaving Gallup with a 6-0 advantage.

Wingate responded midway through the second quarter. Mixing short passes and inside runs, junior quarterback LeDanion Begay guided the Bears downfield despite the slick conditions. From four yards out, senior running back Jayden Gray punched it up the middle for the touchdown, and the extra point gave Wingate a 7-6 lead heading into halftime.

The Bears struck immediately after the break. On the opening kickoff, senior Riley Morgan fielded the ball at his own 21-yard line and sprinted 79 yards untouched for a stunning touchdown return, pushing Wingate ahead 14-6.

The game then became a defensive grind. Gallup’s next possession ended in a costly fumble at the 6-yard line, recovered by Wingate junior Zeff Flores, snuffing out a promising drive. Later in the third quarter, after a booming 68-yard punt by Bears sophomore Matthew Begay pinned Gallup deep, the Bengals nearly lost another muffed return before regaining control and driving downfield. However, another fumbled exchange between quarterback Tristan Garcia and Lewis gave Flores his second recovery of the night, again denying Gallup in the red zone.

Gallup’s final chance came early in the fourth. Taking over at the Wingate 35-yard line after a turnover on downs, the Bengals looked poised to score but again lost the ball on a rushing attempt, ending another trip inside the 10. Forced to punt from the back of their own end zone, Begay unleashed another monster kick to midfield, giving Wingate breathing room.

The Bengals refused to fold. Garcia broke loose on an 18-yard scramble to the end zone with six minutes left, narrowing the deficit to 14-12 after the failed conversion attempt. But Wingate’s defense held strong to close out the night.

“We knew the weather was going to be a factor,” said Wingate head coach A.D. Jim. “So, we practiced running the ball more and told our kids to secure the ball. Defensively, we just kept the opponent in front of us and stayed physical. The ball was slippery all game, and we capitalized on it.”

Gallup head coach Lawrence Garcia echoed the frustration. “Not to take away from Wingate, but we had too many turnovers and this weather didn’t help us at all,” he said.

With the win, Wingate improves to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in District 1-3A, remaining atop the standings. The Bears will face Tohatchi (3-4, 2-2) on Friday night, while Gallup (now 3-5) enters a bye week before hosting Crownpoint on October 24.

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