LOS ALAMOS — Count Los Alamos head football coach Bob Scott among those thoroughly surprised that his best offense is his punter.

Los Alamos senior Joey Martinez, who doubles as a defensive end, returned an interception 8 yards for a touchdown and then was in on a sack of Santa Fe High quarterback Jason Fitzpatrick for a safety as the Hilltoppers beat the Demons 12-6 Friday night at Sullivan Field.

"I never would have thought (I'd be leading the team in scoring)," Martinez said. "Our offense will get things going, I'm not worried about that. But after last week (a 27-0 home loss to St. Michael's), we were so intense in practice. We worked hard for this win tonight. Every one of us."

Despite Los Alamos (1-1) rushing for 221 yards and junior quarterback Kory Balog looking strong in his first start at quarterback — he rushed for 98 yards on 15 carries — the offense still couldn't find the end zone.

The lack of offensive production, plus 15 Hilltoppers penalties, allowed Santa Fe High (0-3) to overcome several dropped passes — at least four that could have resulted in touchdowns — and still have a shot at the win.

"I understand we're not going to catch every ball," first-year Santa Fe High head coach Ray Holladay said. "But if we just make one catch out of those four, it's a different game. ...

"It's very frustrating right now. And I told them it's time this offense steps up. From week one to week three, this defense has made tremendous improvements. It's the offense's turn now."

With 9 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first quarter, Martinez picked off a Fitzpatrick pass and returned it for the first Hilltoppers touchdown of the season and a 7-0 lead.

The Hilltoppers' first drive of the game ended on a 37-yard Wes Osborn field goal and 10-0 with 2:46 left in the first.

The lead was safe as the Hilltoppers' defense allowed just two Demons first downs in the first half. Then came the final 30 seconds before intermission.

On a drive that started at its own 3-yard line, Santa Fe High got on the board in three plays, the bulk of which came on an 82-yard Fitzpatrick-to-Jared Milliorn touchdown pass.

A blocked extra-point kick left Los Alamos with a 10-6 halftime lead.

Fitzpatrick ended the night completing 8 of 20 passes for 152 yards, one interception and one touchdown.

The second half was dominated by Los Alamos. In addition to Martinez and junior Travis Milligan sacking Fitzpatrick in the end zone for 12-6 with 2:21 left in the third, the Hilltoppers allowed just two second-half first downs to Santa Fe High.

Balog and the Hilltoppers' run game would do the rest.

With 6:11 remaining, the Hilltoppers iced the Demons by rushing for four first downs, led by 42 yards from Balog, leaving frustrated Demons players to stand helplessly back as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

"We just knew we had to get first downs," Scott said of his final drive. "We pretty much just put (the ball) in the hands of Balog."

Scott said Balog got the start ahead of Week 1 starter Ryan Schleft when Schleft, who turned 18 on Friday, asked to be moved to wing back to help the team.

The move worked. In addition to Balog's 98 yards rushing, Schleft ran for 85 — 76 came in the first half — before sitting out much of the second half with a minor back injury.

For Santa Fe High, a team that felt it should have won its last two games, the frustration is mounting.

"It's tough to take," Fitzpatrick said. "It's tough because, just like I said last week, it's all about confidence with us right now. I know my teammates are good and I know we're capable of winning these games, but until we start showing that confidence, it's just real frustrating."

Scott said he was happy to get the Hilltoppers' first win of the season, but there is still plenty to work on for a team that shot itself in the foot again with 100-plus yards in penalties for the second straight week.

"We should have had 300 yards of offense," Scott said. "We take one step forward and two steps back; that's a bad dance."

Less frustrating, but still a concern, for Scott is the fact his offense has yet to find the end zone.

When it was pointed out Martinez's eight points this season led the Hilltoppers in scoring, Scott had a simple, but telling, response.

"Thank God," Scott said. "I was real proud of him. We definitely needed that tonight."

Contact Geoff Grammer at 986-3060 or ggrammer@sfnewmexican.com. Read his blog at grammerschoolblog.com.