Storm take Rivalry Trophy in clash with Rams

CLEVELAND 43, RIO RANCHO 12

RIO RANCHO -- The latest, and possibly biggest, round of the “Rio Rancho Rivalry” goes to the Cleveland Storm after a 43-12 win over the Rams at Lightning Bolt Stadium on Friday night.

“We’re excited, man. We feel like we’re clicking right now,” said Storm head coach Robert Garza. “We’re playing good football.”

This is the 16th meeting in the rivalry. The Storm lead the series 12-4. Last year, the Storm took a 37-0 victory at RRHS.

In this round, quarterback Jordan Hatch threw for a touchdown and zero interceptions as the Storm leaned on their running game. Runningbacks Isaiah Yannis and Samuel Bustillos got two each. Tight end Elijah Richards also got in for one.

On the other side, senior quarterback JJ Arellano started the game and threw both Rams touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions.

The game started fast. Hatch drove down the field thanks to a long reception from Jacob Maldonado for 20+ yards. Runningback Isaiah Yannis did the rest of the work, bringing the Storm to the 1-yard line. Tight end Elijah Richards finished it off with a touchdown rush and put the first points on the board just two minutes into the game. The two-point attempt was good, and the Storm went up 8-0.

The Rams immediately responded. Arellano hit three different receivers on his first drive, eventually finding Parker Miller for an 8-yard touchdown with five minutes left in the first. Their two-point attempt was not successful, and the score read 8-6 Storm.

From there, the balance started to shift. Bustillos cut loose for a 55-yard touchdown up the right side at the end of the first quarter.

Then Hatch hit receiver Angel Gallegos for a 16-yard touchdown with 5 minutes left in the half.

But it wasn’t over. The Rams punted and the Storm scored again before halftime, a 1-yard run from Yannis to put the score at 29-6.

The second half started ominously for the Rams. Parker Miller fumbled, and the Storm recovered. Yannis took off for a 16-yard touchdown run and the game got out of hand.

Then it was Bustillos’ turn again, a 4-yard run at the end of the third.

Arellano hit Miller for an impressive 44-yard touchdown bomb in the fourth, but the game was already over.

With five minutes left, Garza put in his backups and the game wound down.

“We knew Rio Rancho is a good football team. They are where they are for a reason,” Garza said after the game. “They’re well coached. They have a good program over there. We knew it was going to be a battle. And that first half we had to ride it out a little bit, but ultimately, we persevered.”

So why was this “maybe the biggest” round in this rivalry? Because this time, it was given a national spotlight as part of the Great American Rivalry Series, which “shines the spotlight on top high school football rivalries across the nation, where long-standing traditions are valued, expectations are sky high, and followers are passionate and loyal,” according to their website.

At the end of the game, the Storm received the “Rivalry Trophy”.

Isaiah Yannis was named MVP of the game after netting over 100 all-purpose yards.

“Just having my teammates beside me, alongside me, that’s what drives me,” said Yannis. “I’m feeling proud, you know? But not content.”

It was also Senior Night for the Storm. That meant family and friends were on hand to celebrate. The players were acknowledged before the game. The band, dance and cheer teams were acknowledged at halftime.

As if that wasn’t enough, this was the final game of the season and officially clinched the 6A-1 title for the Cleveland Storm. Athletic Director Matt Martinez presented Garza with the district trophy after the game.

“This is great,” Garza said to his team, holding the trophy aloft. “But this isn’t the ultimate goal, is it? We have to keep up the intensity!”

Garza said the team is going to rest and get healthy this week and be ready to go for NMAA Football State Championship, which kicks off Nov. 8. Brackets will be released Nov. 3.

Entering this game, the Rams were ranked seventh on MaxPreps, a spot that all-but-ensures them a place in the State Tournament. Cleveland is third, with an impressive strength of schedule, so a loss on the road to the Storm shouldn’t hurt them too much. They’ll certainly have their eyes glued to the NMAA selection show to find out.