Ranked teams clash in Rio Rancho Rivalry this Friday

RIO RANCHO – This Friday, at Lightning Bolt Stadium (CHS), the Rio Rancho Rivalry will finally kick off.

The annual football game, played between the two Rio Rancho high schools--Rio Rancho (or “Cleveland South” as CHS calls them) and Cleveland (or “Rio Rancho North” as they are known to the Rams) --is one of the biggest of the year, every year, regardless of rankings and standings.

First things first, the kickoff time has been moved up from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Secondly, per a recent email sent out by RRPS, “at halftime, tickets will no longer be sold and no one else will be allowed entrance to the stadium for the remainder of the game. Please remember that middle school students in attendance must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.” The RRPS website adds that unaccompanied middle school students will have their parents notified to come pick them up. No refunds will be given.

Third, tickets can be purchased at rrps.net.

Ok, now that the technical stuff is out of the way, let’s talk football.

The Rio Rancho Rivalry is always a wild game, and this year should be no exception. Both teams are in the top 10 in the state-Cleveland at 3 and Rio at 7. Both teams have superb records, and both are looking to grab a big win in this, the final game of the regular season.

Cleveland may have the edge, obviously. They are ranked third in the state, and despite an early season loss to #2 Centennial, an argument could be made they should be higher. Last week they dominated #4 Volcano Vista 38-3. Those were the only three points the Storm have surrendered since Sept. 20 (49-27 at Pebble Hills in El Paso, Texas.)

The QB Jordan Hatch to WR Jordan Maldonado connection is looking unstoppable and the Storm defense has stepped up bigtime recently. They’ve come a long way since that loss to Centennial and will certainly be a tough, if not impossible, out come State Championship time.

Rio, however, has been underestimated all season. What was once a quarterback controversy between veteran starter JJ Arellano and sophomore backup Micah Takahashi, has become more of a two-headed monster lately. With the wide receiver tandem of Jace Pitt and Parker Miller coming online, they grow more dangerous by the week.

It’s worth noting the Rams were blanked by Volcano Vista the week before Cleveland dismantled the Hawks. But last week, the Rams bounced back against a tough Farmington team on the road.

The key to this game for the Rams will be finding a way around the Storm defensive line. For the Storm, they’ll need to shut down the dual quarterback threat and avoid the Rams secondary.

This is the final football game of the regular season. Championship tournament bracket seeding will be released early next week.

Visit nmact.org for showtimes for the championship seeding show.