With the halfway point of the high school football season in the rearview mirror, it is time for the teams to plunge into district play and push for a playoff berth.
Española Valley vs. Bernalillo, 7 p.m. Friday
The Sundevils (3-2, 1-1 District 1-4A) spent much of the summer traveling to Bernalillo (3-1, 0-1) for 7v7 tournaments.
And now is the time for that to pay dividends, Española coach Caleb Holbrook said.
“It feels like we’re going to a home game,” he said. “We’re so much more comfortable here. We were down in Bernalillo three or four times this summer because we were getting them used to that venue. All of our guys love it there and we’ve been successful on that field.”
The game should be hotly contested between two teams that have been spending time in the rankings.
“It’s a top 10 match-up,” Holbrook said. “No. 7 vs. No. 9. A big-time game. We’re going to keep the hype up. It’s going to be a fun, air it out game. It’s going to come down to quarterback play and defense.”
The Spartans have had a week off after losing to Moriarty, but Española should not overlook Bernalillo, Holbrook said.
“It’s a big one on the road,” he said. “Bernalillo is a great team. We’re familiar with them. I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry, but our guys are amped and ready to play because they believe we are a better team.”
Bernalillo has had trouble finding consistency offensively and have totaled less than 500 yards of offense in its four games.
Leading ball carrier Josh Barajas has just 96 yards rushing and four different quarterbacks have been under center, with Anthony Willie showing the most success, although he only has 160 yards through the air.
So defense will be key and the Spartans defense likes to pressure, recording 52 tackles for losses already.
“It’s going to be a game of match-ups,” Holbrook said. “We like this match-up going in.”
McCurdy at Newcomb, 6 p.m. Friday
The Bobcats’ (2-2) best hopes for victory against the Skyhawks (1-4) is to get healthy after being forced to forfeit last week.
With less than 20 players on the roster, even a few bumps and bruises, or worse, can take a toll.
McCurdy will look to wind up its single-wing offense to chew up the block.
“Their style of play is a lot like us,” interim coach Mel Martinez said. “Last year, we were expecting the single wing and they came out with a double wing, but that didn’t really cause any problems so we’ll focus on stopping the single wing. That’s what we play so I think we know how to stop it.”
Newcomb tends to favor the right side of the line, the coach said, and will mix in some passes.
If there is some concern, it’s the linemen, Martinez said. “They have decent-sized boys on the line. We’re kind of small, so that might be a factor.”
Escalante at Questa,
7 p.m. Saturday
Coming off a tough loss, the Lobos (3-2) head into district play with a tough match-up against the Wildcats (3-1).
“Every game, once you get into district, each game is more valuable,” coach Carlos Casados said. “When Questa and Escalante play, it’s always a battle. We’re not taking anything lightly. We’re coming off a tough loss to Melrose, so we have to bounce back.”
Both teams like to run, but behind quarterback Braylon Emery, the Lobos have a fairly balanced attack. He’s put up 551 yards through the air and six touchdowns and another 311 on the ground with another four scores. Julio Lujan has been a steady receiver with eight catches for 256 yards and four TDs.
But Casados knows that the defense, led by defensive back RJ Atencio, who has five interceptions and two fumble recoveries already, has got to be ready.
“They’re quick,” Casados said of the Wildcats. “They have athletes who can run the ball fast. They like to favor the run game. We have to do our best to shut that down early. I have confidence in our run game and we had a big step up in our defense.”
Dulce vs. Alamo Navajo, 5 p.m. Friday
It’s probably not fair to say the Hawks (0-4) are favored heading into their district opener, but if ever there was time, this would be it against the Cougars (0-5), who are coming off a 60-0 loss to Magdalena and have been shut out and mercy-ruled in their last three games.
“I believe they’re the team to beat in the district,” coach Jeremy Wooten said. “I knew the coach down there from when I was up in Shiprock. He’s building the program. They’re going in the right direction.”
That being said, he thinks this one is winnable.
“I think it’s going to be a pretty good game, it’s going to be competitive,” Wooten said. “It’s going to come down to who wants it the most. This game could decide who will be the district champion. It looks like we’re all struggling against the good, cream of the crop teams,. I think the district should be pretty competitive.”