Every year since 2005, the Escalante Lobos and the McCurdy Bobcats have concluded the regular season by facing off with a District 1A title or an opportunity for a state playoff berth at stake. The heated rivalry dates back even longer, but has had added importance since both teams became members of District 1A in 2004 (see box).
This season will be no different. When the Lobos and the Bobcats meet Saturday, a guaranteed spot in the Class A state playoffs will go to the winner as runnerup in District 1A. The Lobos (7-2) and the Bobcats (5-3) are both 2-1 in district play.
The loser will have to nervously await a decision by a seeding committee to see if they are awarded an at-large berth to the playoffs. Last year, the Lobos were left out of the state playoffs after a 56-25 loss to McCurdy that left them in third place in the district.
Both teams have played well this year entering what could be either’s final game of the season.
The Lobos put together a six-game winning streak that was book-ended by a season-opening loss to Estancia, a Class AA powerhouse, and a 56-19 loss to Clayton, the district’s perennial powerhouse. Escalante was scheduled to play Questa Oct. 24, but the Wildcats forfeited their remaining games, citing a lack of players due to injuries.
The Lobos are led by senior quarterback Justin Atencio and junior running back Isaiah Maldonado. Atencio, a shifty runner, shares time at quarterback with senior Andrew Garcia and when Garcia is taking the snaps, Atencio becomes a dangerous receiver. Maldonado was the Lobos’ leading rusher, but sprained an ankle against Clayton. Escalante coach Diego Brusuelas expects him to play against McCurdy.
“He’s had a chance to heal,” Brusuelas said.
Brusuelas is a 2001 Escalante graduate who never lost to McCurdy as a player and is in his first year as head coach at Escalante.
“This is the kind of game the adults in our community talk about when they played in it,” Brusuelas said. “You don’t need any extra motivation to get the kids up for it.”
The Bobcats started the season with three straight victories before losing to to Fort Sumner, the defending Class A state champions, and then Pojoaque, a Class AAA team. The Bobcats recovered and beat Navajo Prep and District 1A rival Questa. Clayton brought the Bobcats, as they had the Lobos, back to earth with a 61-13 win Oct. 24 in Clayton.
Eric Vigil’s first victory as a head coach was a 16-14 win over the Lobos in 2003 when the Bobcats were members of District 3A.
“Ever since I got here its been a huge game that both teams look forward to,” Vigil said. “It’s great to be a part it year after year.”
McCurdy is led by sophomore quarterback Louie Martinez, who has an accurate arm and is also the fastest ball carrier. Martinez has also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season.
The Bobcats lost senior receiver/linebacker Justin Chavez to a season-ending knee injury in the Fort Sumner game.
“Some guys you can’t replace, especially his senior leadership,” Vigil said. “You gotta move on.”