Storm fend off scrappy Cougars 27-6, move to 2-0 in district

RIO RANCHO — It wasn’t your usual offensive clinic at Lightning Bolt Stadium, but it was a win nonetheless for the Storm.

Cleveland fended off Cibola 27-6, avoiding the upset scare in what was a one-possession game up until the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Jordan Hatch and the offense were slow to start, posting just 14 points in the first half, along with two redzone turnovers in the game.

A 14-6 halftime score had the home crowd worried, but stability on the ground from running back Samuel Bustillos and a passing resurgence via receiver Jacob Maldonado brought the Storm back to life.

“We had a bumpy little week of practice, but we came out and we got the win,” Bustillos said. “We did what we’re supposed to do.”

The senior running back posted his fourth touchdown of the year in what was his highest rushing yardage game since August, leading the charge as the Storm’s main ball carrier in the victory.

“Just trying to be a leader, trying to lead these guys,” Bustillos said. “Just trusting behind my line, trusting what they’re gonna do. Trusting the teammates next to me.”

Maldonado posted a score as well, now recording four games with a touchdown in his last five. Along with the scores from the senior weapons, Hatch found Xavier Montoya-Chavez for a fourth-quarter bomb in what ended up being the final blow to the Cougars.

It was not pretty by any means with penalties, turnovers and more. But now sitting at 2-0 in district, the Storm now know what they are capable of: winning ugly.

“I’m happy it (a game like this) is now out of the way,” Bustillos said. “Going into the last three weeks of the season, we know what we’ve got to do, we know how we’ve got to come out.”

Cleveland will welcome Piedra Vista to town for Senior Night on Oct. 17.