Chupacabras top Wranglers with touchdown in final seconds
By CHASE RISMAN, SPORTS COAST TO COAST
June 21, 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Sunday afternoon saw a matchup of two teams that were a combined 2-20 on the season. That matchup turned out to be one of the best games of the IFL season.
Donovan Proterie was 10-21 for 123 yards passing and one touchdown, La'James White scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds and the New Mexico Chupacabras defeated the Northern Arizona Wranglers 35-32 at Tingley Coliseum tonight.
The excitement started early as the Chupacabras tackled the Wranglers in the end zone for a rouge on the opening kickoff to take a 1-0 lead, and the Wranglers took a 7-1 lead one play later on an Anthony Garrett touchdown pass to Kobe Smith. New Mexico drove towards the end zone on their ensuing possession, but Brendon Luper recovered a fumble in the end zone, and Northern Arizona took advantage of the turnover as Garrett found Marlon Cook Jr. in the end zone to give the Wranglers a 14-1 lead. Northern Arizona continued its momentum as Luper picked off Porterie in the end zone and seemed determined to put the game away, but the Wranglers were forced to kick a field goal on Fourth Down, and Kevin Wilbon III returned the missed kick for a touchdown on the first quarter's final play to cut the deficit to 14-8 entering the second quarter.
The teams exchanged stops to start the second quarter, and Northern Arizona took a 20-8 lead on a Garrett touchdown pass to Stephen Lewis as the extra point attempt was no good. New Mexico answered with a White rushing touchdown, only for the Wranglers to answer with a Garrett touchdown pass to Cook Jr. that gave Northern Arizona a 27-15 halftime lead.
The second half started out well for the Chupacabras as Donovan Porterie found Damon Street in the end zone to cut the deficit to 27-22, and New Mexico got a stop on defense to give itself a chance to take the lead. The Chupacabras drove into Wranglers territory, but had to settle for a field goal attempt by Kevin Macias, which was no good. Northern Arizona took advantage of the missed field goal as Nestor Manuel Higuera cashed in on a field goal attempt and a deuce attempt to give the Wranglers a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter.
New Mexico committed a crucial turnover to start the fourth as they fumbled near their own goal line. Brandon Luper recovered it, but the Chupacabras defense got off the field by forcing a field goal attempt by Manuel Higuera, which was no good. New Mexico took advantage as White scored a touchdown on a Wildcat play to cut the deficit to three points, and the Chupacabras weathered a long drive by the Wranglers that seemed to take up the majority of the fourth quarter. That drive resulted in a blocked field goal, giving New Mexico a chance to take the lead late in the game. The Chupacabras marched down the field and took a 35-32 lead on another White wildcat touchdown. Northern Arizona still had time to send the game to overtime, but Nestor Manuel Higuera missed a long field goal on the final play of the game, giving the Chupacabras the win.
Donovan Proterie was 10-21 for 123 yards passing and one touchdown, La'James White scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds and the New Mexico Chupacabras defeated the Northern Arizona Wranglers 35-32 at Tingley Coliseum tonight.
The excitement started early as the Chupacabras tackled the Wranglers in the end zone for a rouge on the opening kickoff to take a 1-0 lead, and the Wranglers took a 7-1 lead one play later on an Anthony Garrett touchdown pass to Kobe Smith. New Mexico drove towards the end zone on their ensuing possession, but Brendon Luper recovered a fumble in the end zone, and Northern Arizona took advantage of the turnover as Garrett found Marlon Cook Jr. in the end zone to give the Wranglers a 14-1 lead. Northern Arizona continued its momentum as Luper picked off Porterie in the end zone and seemed determined to put the game away, but the Wranglers were forced to kick a field goal on Fourth Down, and Kevin Wilbon III returned the missed kick for a touchdown on the first quarter's final play to cut the deficit to 14-8 entering the second quarter.
The teams exchanged stops to start the second quarter, and Northern Arizona took a 20-8 lead on a Garrett touchdown pass to Stephen Lewis as the extra point attempt was no good. New Mexico answered with a White rushing touchdown, only for the Wranglers to answer with a Garrett touchdown pass to Cook Jr. that gave Northern Arizona a 27-15 halftime lead.
The second half started out well for the Chupacabras as Donovan Porterie found Damon Street in the end zone to cut the deficit to 27-22, and New Mexico got a stop on defense to give itself a chance to take the lead. The Chupacabras drove into Wranglers territory, but had to settle for a field goal attempt by Kevin Macias, which was no good. Northern Arizona took advantage of the missed field goal as Nestor Manuel Higuera cashed in on a field goal attempt and a deuce attempt to give the Wranglers a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter.
New Mexico committed a crucial turnover to start the fourth as they fumbled near their own goal line. Brandon Luper recovered it, but the Chupacabras defense got off the field by forcing a field goal attempt by Manuel Higuera, which was no good. New Mexico took advantage as White scored a touchdown on a Wildcat play to cut the deficit to three points, and the Chupacabras weathered a long drive by the Wranglers that seemed to take up the majority of the fourth quarter. That drive resulted in a blocked field goal, giving New Mexico a chance to take the lead late in the game. The Chupacabras marched down the field and took a 35-32 lead on another White wildcat touchdown. Northern Arizona still had time to send the game to overtime, but Nestor Manuel Higuera missed a long field goal on the final play of the game, giving the Chupacabras the win.
This was the second of three meetings between the teams this season as the Chupacabras claimed a 47-40 victory in week 5 at Albuquerque. The teams will face one another for the third time of the season on July 12 at Prescott Valley, Arizona.
The Chupacabras have struggled in their first season back from a one-year hiatus, but a thrilling win like this can go a long way in building momentum for the rest of the year.
Dating back to the 2024 season finale, New Mexico is 3-10, but all three wins have been at home against the Wranglers. Northern Arizona has also lost 15 straight road games. Of course, that includes the previous iteration of the Chupacabras; the Duke City Gladiators.
Arthur Jackson had six catches for 79 yards, and White had fifteen carries for 76 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Garrett was 12-29 for 150 yards passing and three touchdowns for the Wranglers.
The Chupacabras will take to the road to face the Arizona Rattlers on June 27 with kickoff set for 8 p.m. The Wranglers will be at home to face the Tucson Sugar Skulls on June 28 for a 2 p.m. (Mountain time) kickoff.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be available on the IFL's broadcast and streaming platforms; Yahoo Sports and Overnght. Sports Coast to Coast will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game on SCtoC.
The Chupacabras have struggled in their first season back from a one-year hiatus, but a thrilling win like this can go a long way in building momentum for the rest of the year.
Dating back to the 2024 season finale, New Mexico is 3-10, but all three wins have been at home against the Wranglers. Northern Arizona has also lost 15 straight road games. Of course, that includes the previous iteration of the Chupacabras; the Duke City Gladiators.
Arthur Jackson had six catches for 79 yards, and White had fifteen carries for 76 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Garrett was 12-29 for 150 yards passing and three touchdowns for the Wranglers.
The Chupacabras will take to the road to face the Arizona Rattlers on June 27 with kickoff set for 8 p.m. The Wranglers will be at home to face the Tucson Sugar Skulls on June 28 for a 2 p.m. (Mountain time) kickoff.
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be available on the IFL's broadcast and streaming platforms; Yahoo Sports and Overnght. Sports Coast to Coast will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game on SCtoC.