Cleveland Storm win NMAA 6A Football State Championship

CLEVELAND 26, LA CUEVA 8ALBUQUERQUE — “I told the guys, ‘I’ve lost the first game of the season before, and we came back to win the whole thing.’ So, that’s what we’re gonna do.”

That’s what Cleveland Storm head coach Robert Garza told the Observer after his team’s week-one loss to the Centennial Hawks on Aug. 23.

The Storm never lost again.

They went 12-1, and Coach Garza completed that feat a second time, as the Storm rolled over the top-seeded La Cueva Bears 26-8 at Wilson Stadium in the NMAA 6A Football State Championship on Saturday afternoon.

“We had to make it about us,” said Garza. “We didn’t want to focus on [La Cueva]. We had to come together as a team one more time and get the job done.”

The two squads looked evenly matched through most of the first half, exchanging punts and turnovers, threatening a 0-0 first half.

But the Storm weren’t having it. They scored twice in the final four minutes of the first half to put the initial points of the game on the board.

Garza called a controlled but aggressive game; punting, when necessary, but pulling out all his tricks to grab the win, and the Storm excelled in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.

The CHS special teams unit was one of the keys to that aggression.

At the start of the second half, the Bears were set to receive the ball and first possession. Garza called for a Storm specialty: a combination pooch/onside kick, which goes further than an onside kick but wobbles and flutters, making it hard to catch.

The trick, one the Storm have run against numerous opponents this season to great success, worked once again, and CHS got the first possession of both halves.

Garza also relied on the leg of field goal kicker Ivan Sanchez, who came into the game with a perfect 1-for-1 field goal record this season. He left the game with higher numbers, but the same percentage. Sanchez nailed two field goals on two attempts to put the game out of reach for the struggling Bears.

On offense, it was the quick thinking and nearly flawless play of CHS junior quarterback Jordan Hatch, along with the hard-running tenacity of running back Juan Munoz that won the Storm their sixth state football title since they opened their doors in 2009.

Hatch had an impressive junior campaign, to say the least. Along with his state title, he finished the season with a staggering 30 touchdowns and two interceptions.

In the championship, Hatch threw for two touchdowns, including a 56-yarder to Jacob Maldonado on a reverse flea flicker at the start of the second half to put the score at 23-0.

The other Hatch touchdown was a 3-yarder to Angel Gallegos with roughly four minutes left in the first half to put the first points on the board for either team.

Munoz, who has struggled with injury this season, has dominated in these playoffs. In the championship he had (unofficially) nearly 30 carries and more than 120 yards rushing. He also scored a 1-yard touchdown with under three minutes left in the first half, which put the score at 13-0 (the PAT was no good.)

The Storm defense was no less impressive, with both Psalmon Kegler and AJ Manning stepping up in big spots.

Kegler, who was on the Bears’ DI-committed Mason Posa through much of the game, disrupted nearly every attempt the Bears made at getting a running game going.

Meanwhile, Manning was making his final argument for “top defensive back in the state,” adding an interception and several tackles to his already-impressive resume.

“We knew they had a great quarterback. He’s the key to their offense,” said Manning. “He’s a great athlete, but we just did our part.”

On the La Cueva side of the ball, one bright spot was the play of senior running back Cheeto Lumbrera, who managed to find holes in the CHS line in the first half.

Those holes closed for the second half, and the Bears’ situation went from bad to worse as they struggled to find rhythm behind stud QB Cam Dyer. The Storm defensive front, which allowed only three points from opponents through all of October, simply proved overwhelming for the Bears’ line, and Dyer was forced to rely on his legs early and often.

The senior QB, who is graduating early to head to Arizona State to join his new team, has been banged up through these playoffs and it showed. His injured leg hindered his mobility just enough to allow CHS to sack him several times throughout the day.

Despite the injury and the bleak game state, Dyer showed why he is the top player in the state. With a little over eight minutes left in the game, he hit Isaiah Goree for a 2-yard touchdown pass. He then completed the two-point conversion to Monty Melendez after a fumbled snap.

Those were the final points of the game, and the Cleveland Storm took the blue trophy in a 26-8 win over rivals La Cueva.

“It was really fun. I couldn’t be happier,” said a beaming Hatch after the game. “The coaches put us in a position to win, and we did that. Our (offensive line) was amazing. I even got a chance to tote [the ball] at the end.”

Hatch’s sentiments were reflected throughout the team: The offensive line won this game.

“Getting behind my linemen and following their blocks [was the key],” said Munoz.

This was the fourth time the two have clashed in the final game of the season, making for a strong rivalry. CHS is 2-2 in those contests.

This was the third time in a row that the championship game has been between these two schools. CHS is 2-1 in those meetings.

The Storm hit the off season as top dogs, and they are feeling pretty good.

“I can’t really explain it. Last year, losing to [La Cueva], it was just a big thing for us. We’ve been waiting for this game,” said Manning. “We lost our first game and people really doubted us, but we just really picked it up ever since.”

Munoz said his body is feeling the pain, but he couldn’t be happier.

“I’m hurting a little bit, but I feel great,” he said.

“I feel fantastic. We snapped off 12-straight wins. I’m so proud of these guys,” said Garza.

Cleveland football championship history

2024: Cleveland (12-1) over La Cueva (12-1): 26-8

2023: La Cueva (10-3) over Cleveland (9-4): 35-14

2022: Cleveland (11-2) over La Cueva (11-2): 75-61

2021: Cleveland (13-0) over Rio Rancho (9-2): 35-14

2019: Cleveland (11-2) over Rio Rancho (8-5): 48-40

2018: La Cueva (13-0) over Cleveland (12-1): 33-14

2015: Cleveland (13-0) over Eldorado (10-3): 48-35

2011: Cleveland (13-0) over Mayfield (9-3): 48-28