Storm tame Tigers, advance to semifinals

CLEVELAND 57, LOS LUNAS 7

RIO RANCHO (Nov.15, 2024) -- If there was any thought that number three Cleveland (10-1) might be rusty after a first round playoff bye, that notion was quickly dispelled during the 57-7 victory Friday for the Storm over sixth seeded Los Lunas (8-3) in the 6A quarterfinals.

On Cleveland’s first play from scrimmage, Juan Munoz, who had been nursing an injury, went off on a 60-yard sprint for a 7-0 lead. “I thought they came out excited, ready to play,” said Robert Garza, CHS coach.

After a short Los Lunas punt, Isaiah Yannis scored on an eight-yard run, and at the 7:52 mark of the first quarter, Cleveland was up 14-0.

A long scramble by quarterback Kaiden Reese helped the Tigers get inside the ten-yard line, but a fourth down stop ended the drive, and Cleveland quickly took it the distance on a 94-yard screen pass to Munoz.

“It was great to have Juan Munoz back tonight,” said Garza. “He’s a playmaker. He makes things happen for us.”

Los Lunas found some life on a strike from Reese to J’den Howard that covered 63 yards, pulling the Tigers to within 21-7.

However, any hope of a sustained rally ended with two Cleveland touchdowns by Jacob Maldonado, including one with :34 left in the half. The Storm led 35-7.

Cleveland added three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown by Michael Haynes. The last td and two-point conversation ended the game on the mercy rule with just seconds left in the third quarter.

“When a team like Cleveland has two weeks to prepare for you, they’re going to be on point,” said Greg Henington, LLHS coach. Despite the disappointment, “I felt we accomplished a heck of a bunch this year,” Henington said.

Cleveland will play again Friday against #2 Centennial at the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces.