Rams fall to Bulldawgs in final stretch

LAS CRUCES 34, RIO RANCHO 21

RIO RANCHO (Sept. 6, 2024) – It was a well-earned 34-21 victory for the visiting Las Cruces Bulldawgs (2-1) as they defeated the Rio Rancho Rams (2-1) at Rams Stadium on Friday night.

The Rams struck first, a 36-yard bomb to tight end David Butler from QB JJ Arellano with 3:45 left in the first. LCHS responded with an 8-yard rushing TD from running back Daniel Amaro, the first of four he would have on the night.

Las Cruces QB Gunnar Guardiola threw a touchdown in the second quarter, but most of the damage was done by Amaro who ripped off two rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes (5:18 and 0:25 left) to close the door on the Rams. Amaro's touchdowns included two 70-yard runs (one on a punt return). He also had a 30-yard TD that was called back on a holding penalty.

Amaro's overwhelming performance aside, the game was 21-21, and tight, up to the final five minutes.

“I thought quarters two and three, we did a good job,” said Rams head coach Nate Pino after the game. “Our guys competed, and they fought, and it was a step up in competition and that’s something we need to adjust to. I don’t think it was lack of effort.”

On the Rams side, QB JJ Arellano used his arm in the first half, hitting Butler in the first quarter, and wide receiver Jace Pitt for a 20-yard TD in the second. The defenses tightened in the second half and Arellano switched to using his legs, running for numerous first downs and grabbing the Rams' final touchdown, a 1-yard run with 3:27 left in the third (following a tough 12-yard run from the RRHS QB on the previous play.) It proved too little for the exhausted Rams, however. Amaro quickly ran in his two final touchdowns, the Rams received one final kickoff with under 20 seconds remaining, and the game finished 34-21 Bulldawgs.

“I think we did some good things, but at the end of the day, we have to get tougher,” Pino said. “We had three missed extra points. We had a dropped touchdown. We definitely left some stuff on the table there, and we got to get better.”

Rio Rancho drops to 2-1 and will head south to play Centennial in Las Cruces, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.

PORTALES 7, BERNALILLO 14

BERNALILLO (September 6, 2024)- Fans experienced a range of emotions at Spartan Stadium Friday night, but the Spartans (3-0) prevailed over visiting Portales (1-2), and extended their winning streak to three.

If you are a Bernalillo football fan, you know that the Spartans go by another name, the “Goon Squad.” Call it an alter ego. Well, now fans can add “Fourth Quarter Warriors” to the long list of personas, because the Spartans have dominated in the fourth quarter this season.

“In the fourth quarter, we just feel like we have outworked, ...out conditioned, ...beat everyone in the weight room, and that’s how we can turn ball games. That’s when the ‘Goon Squad’ comes out, and their will to win comes out,” said Spartan head coach John Cobos.

In the fourth quarter (through three games), Bernalillo scored 55 points and allowed seven.

That domination manifested itself again on Friday. In the final minutes of the third quarter, Portales quarterback Hagen Rains scored a touchdown on a designed quarterback run. Rains had a ton of open space and lowered his shoulder when two Bernalillo defenders tried to stop him from entering the endzone. The Portales touchdown, and the extra point after, tied the game.

In on the goal line stand for the Spartans was safety and starting quarterback Uriel Castro, who was injured on the play. A solemn Spartan Stadium quietly applauded as Castro was carted off the field. Spartan Stadium quietly applauded as Castro was carted off the field.

BHS brought in backup quarterback Anthony Willie to take over. Willie commanded the game well, utilizing his patient and shifty running back, Nathan Encinias who finished the evening with 62 total yards. BHS brought in backup quarterback Anthony Willie to take over. Willie commanded the game well, utilizing his patient and shifty running back, Nathan Encinias who finished the

Then, to the surprise of all, Castro dashed back into the huddle for the fourth quarter.

“It was a good stinger. I won't lie,” Castro said. “But I felt good enough to come in, and (the medical staff) let me. At the end of the day, my brothers did not give up on me, so I could not give up on them.”

The death blow for Portales came with 4:45 left in the fourth. Castro hit a leaping Kenneth Saiz on a deep pass and the receiver took it to the house for a 49-yard touchdown. The score, and point after, put Bernalillo ahead 14-7.

Despite throwing a few interceptions, Castro finished the night with two touchdown passes, and he even snagged an interception while on defense. The other touchdown was a 59-yard touchdown to wide receiver Joseph Duran in the first half.

The game ended on a Portales incomplete pass, and the “Goon Squad” continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Bernalillo will play at home again against Moriarty (2-1) on September 13 at 6:00 p.m.

- Daniel Zuniga/Observer contributor

CLEVELAND 54, CLOVIS 0

CLOVIS (Sept. 6, 2024) -- It was Cleveland's turn to head south this week, but the results were still the same. After Clovis fell to RRHS last week, 50-0, the Storm followed suit, winning their game 54-0.

CHS quarterback Jordan Hatch threw for 127 yards and 3 TDs. Two of those passing touchdowns went to wide receiver Isaiah Yannis, who also had a rushing touchdown on 6 carries and 75 total yards. The third passing touchdown went to wide receiver Josh Lyles. Lyles also had 42 yards on the night.

The game ended partway through the third quarter due to the "Mercy Rule", which states, "A game is ended at halftime or during the second half if a team is 50 or more points behind," according to the NMAA Handbook.

The Cleveland Storm head to Las Cruces to take on the Bulldawgs on Friday Sept. 13 @ 7 p.m. This will be the second of three straight road games for CHS.