Second half surge not enough for Coyotes

Jorge Orozco/The Madera Tribune

Madera’s Jayden Martinez goes up high to bring in a reception during Friday’s playoff loss to Independence. Martinez scored touchdowns on offense and defense, and also scored a two-point conversion.

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After trailing by 14 points to open the game, the Madera Coyotes football team outscored the Independence Falcons the rest of the game, but the damage had already been done. 

The No. 6 seeded Falcons opened the game with a pair of touchdowns over No. 11 Madera in Friday’s Div. III Central Section first-round game in Bakersfield. The Coyotes allowed a late touchdown in a 34-27 loss. 

The teams exchanged second quarter turnovers with Independence intercepting an Elias Mena pass.