CORONADO FINISHES STRONG: THUNDERBIRDS TOP DEL VALLE 28-14

By PREP1 Sports | September 18, 2026 For three quarters, the Coronado Thunderbirds and Del Valle Conquistadores were locked in a football fight that looked destined to go down to the final possession. Then the fourth quarter arrived. Coronado scored two late touchdowns, including a go-ahead touchdown from Christian Frias and a defensive touchdown on an interception return by Gabriel Chavando, as the Thunderbirds pulled away for a 28-14 victory Friday night at Del Valle. The win moved Coronado to 2-2 on the season and gave the Thunderbirds consecutive victories after opening the year with back-to-back losses. Del Valle also entered the night at 2-1 after winning two straight, but the Conquistadors now sit at 2-2. A GAME OF MOMENTUM The matchup lived up to its billing as one of Week 4's featured games. After a scoreless opening quarter, the teams traded touchdowns and went into halftime tied 7-7. Neither team could create separation through the third quarter, with the score still deadlocked 14-14 entering the fourth. That's when Coronado's playmakers took over. Frias delivered the offensive breakthrough late in the fourth quarter, giving the Thunderbirds the lead. Then Chavando made the game's biggest defensive play, intercepting a Del Valle pass and returning it for a touchdown to put the game away. Two fourth-quarter touchdowns. A 14-point swing. And suddenly a game that had been tied for much of the night belonged to Coronado. BIG PLAYS HIGHLIGHT THE NIGHT The Thunderbirds showed their explosiveness early. Running back Eli Estrada broke free for a 60-yard run, setting up an opportunity deep in Del Valle territory. The Conquistadors answered through the air, with quarterback Eric Hernandez connecting with Angel Cummings for a touchdown. Coronado responded when quarterback Nolan Montion used play action to get the ball to CJ Frescas, who turned the play into a touchdown. Later, Montion used another fake handoff before giving the ball to Frias, who ripped off a 30-yard run. And just before halftime, Coronado cornerback Chase Golding came up with an interception on Del Valle's Hail Mary attempt, ending another scoring opportunity. It was the type of game where every possession mattered. THUNDERBIRDS BUILDING MOMENTUM Coronado's season has taken an interesting turn. The Thunderbirds opened 2026 with losses to El Dorado, 28-21, and Odessa, 19-11, before breaking through with a 44-17 victory over Burges in Week 3. Friday's win over Del Valle gives Coronado back-to-back victories and a 2-2 record heading into district play. Del Valle had opened the season with a loss to Eastlake before responding with wins over Montwood and El Dorado. The Conquistadors' two victories included a 56-14 rout of Montwood and a 43-35 win over El Dorado. WHAT'S NEXT The schedule gets serious now. Coronado opens District 1-6A play Thursday, Sept. 24, traveling to face Socorro at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs enter that matchup at 2-1 after defeating Horizon 55-21. Del Valle will remain home Thursday, Sept. 24, hosting Americas at 7 p.m. For Coronado, Friday night's victory was about more than moving to 2-2. The Thunderbirds showed they could stay composed in a tight game, make the critical plays late and finish. Fourteen-fourteen entering the fourth. Then Coronado finished with a flourish. FINAL: CORONADO 28, DEL VALLE 14 PHOTO: Sammy Espinoza | SJE Photography | PREP1 Network