'The Game': A preview of this year's crosstown gridiron classic

RIO RANCHO — While the high school football season is winding down, things are just getting started in the City of Vision.

Thanks to the Rams and Storm getting the job done over Volcano Vista and Farmington this past Friday, the cross-town rivalry now holds a little more weight.

On Oct. 30, the Rams and Storm will battle for a district title.

Both programs sit at 4-0 in District 6A-1, a familiar sight for the city. Since 2007, only two other schools outside of Cleveland and Rio Rancho have won the district title (Cibola 2007, Volcano Vista 2019).

While the city has been known for district domination, it has been Cleveland that has been running the show over the last decade. Rio Rancho’s last district title came in their state championship 2016 run, with the Storm winning 6A-1 six of the eight seasons since then (2020 not included due to the pandemic).

“The Battle down Broadmoor Boulevard” has reflected Cleveland’s tear as well, with the Storm on an 11-game win streak against the Rams. This includes wins in the 2019 and 2021 state championships.

Three of the 11 matchups were decided by one score, but the electric blue and silver have run away with the last few installments. Since 2020, the Storm have outscored the Rams 212-74.

When the clock hits midnight on Dec. 31, it will mark a decade since Rio Rancho’s last state title run. Ahead of this crosstown clash, it begs the question: Is this the year the Rams stampede back to glory? Or will the Storm repeat as state champs and add another title to the trophy case?

THE GAME

First things first: Whoever can stay out of their own way will win this game.

For Cleveland, limit the penalties. It is no secret that Storm football is loaded with firepower and top talent, but self-inflicted wounds can negate those weapons.

Penalties were a thorn in Cleveland’s side in their lone loss to Las Cruces, and in a road environment, composure is often up in the air. Up until Friday, Cleveland had yet to play an away game in district, hitting the road for Volcano Vista and the Rams in the final two weeks.

For Rio Rancho, it is all about the defense. The Rams have not held the Storm under 30 points since 2021. They have allowed 35 or more points in every playoff loss since 2018.

It looked to be more of the same for this 2025 season, with Rio giving up 40 or more points in each of their three losses in a September skid. But after a bye week, Head Coach Nate Pino and his defensive unit entered October with a new look.

Now on a four-game win streak, the Rams have held their opponents to 21 points or fewer (in regulation) in each of the four district victories. This includes a key two-point conversion stop of the Volcano Vista Hawks to seal the deal.

Outside linebacker Noah Lovato leads the team with six sacks in a junior-led wrecking crew with Wyatt Nyholm and Noah Thomas. In the secondary, Quintenn McKinley stars in a defensive back room that has recorded interceptions in three straight games, including picking off VV’s Jude Herrera twice.

Rio Rancho’s defense is playing its best ball of the season, but have they seen an offense like Cleveland’s?

Senior quarterback Jordan Hatch is second in the state in passing yards, with two of his receivers cracking the top 20 in receiving yards (Evan Nanez, Jacob Maldonado). Hatch and Co.’s air raid has led the Storm to four 49-point or more performances this season.

Aside from the passing game, the Storm can establish the run with Samuel Bastillos and the occasional backfield appearance from Troy Logan, whose “In Case of Emergency” two-way play highlights a talented linebacker core of Logan, Elijah Richards and Jacob Garcia.

These sturdy Storm backers will have the task of bringing down the shifty Micah Takahashi, the Rams' junior quarterback who leads the state in total yards.

Cleveland is no stranger to a mobile quarterback, seeing similar offenses from teams like Cibola and Pebble Hills (TX), but they may not have seen this type of mobility from a team that can also bring it through the air.

Enter Parker Miller. The senior receiver has been the top guy in the pass game for Rio Rancho, leading the state in receiving yards and 10th in touchdowns. When Takahashi and Miller get going, watch out.

Hatch. Takahashi. Nanez. Miller. Logan. McKinley. The list goes on and on. This star-studded rivalry matchup should not disappoint, but it is hard to go against an 11-game winning streak.

Predictions

Dan Allison, Rio Rancho Observer sports writer: Cleveland 42, Rio Rancho 28

Daniel Zuniga, Rio Rancho Observer correspondent: Cleveland 42, Rio Rancho 31

"This will be the closest matchup in years. Cleveland's Jordan Hatch is the best quarterback in the state, while Rio Rancho's Micah Takahashi is the most electric playmaker. The Rams have an impressive pass rush duo of Noah Lovato and Jacari Smith and a true alpha in Parker Miller. As far as skill guys, I love the arsenal that Cleveland has: Evan Nanez, Jacob Maldonado, Darius Steverson, Sammy Bustillos — I can go on forever. My decision mainly lies in the trenches. The Storm linemen are the strongest and most talented group in the state."

Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM): Cleveland 37, Rio Rancho 21.

"Right now, I'll say Cleveland. The game will be close in the first half before Cleveland pulls away in the second."

New Mexico Prep and College Sports (@nmprepcosports): Cleveland 41, Rio Rancho 21

"We are going to go with Cleveland. I think we’ve learned our lesson with picking against them …"

Joshua Griñe, NMPreps.com publisher: Cleveland 44, Rio Rancho 20

“The City of Vision rivalry never disappoints, but Cleveland has turned it into a masterclass in consistency, winning eight straight against Rio Rancho. The Rams’ duo of Micah Takahashi and Parker Miller has powered a late-season surge, but facing Jordan Hatch, our reigning New Mexico Mr. Football from 2024, is a different challenge entirely. With playmakers like Moses Sparks Jr., Elijah Roberts, and a defense anchored by Riley Haussler, Karson Weddle, and Richards, the Storm’s balance on both sides should once again overwhelm the Rams.”