The football season is just four weeks old and already the regular season finale between Escalante and McCurdy is shaping up to be a decisive battle for a state playoff berth and possibly a District 1A title.
The Bobcats and the Lobos have a spirited rivalry that goes back many years. Although McCurdy has the home field advantage, that doesn’t seem to matter much. The last two years, the visiting team has won the game.
Both schools seem to have a legitimate shot at a Class A state championship this year. The Bobcats lost to four-time defending Class A champion Fort Sumner two weekends ago, but the game was much more competitive than in previous years. Instead of a blowout, McCurdy lost only 21-7 and was in the game until the fourth quarter. The Foxes could be vulnerable, having already lost to Clayton this season.
Clayton is likely the hungriest team in Class A. Despite making nine appearances in the state championship game, the Yellowjackets have never won the title. Clayton will be moving up to Class AA next season, so this will be its last opportunity to get that long sought after Class A title.
Escalante, McCurdy and Clayton are all in the fight for the District 1A title, too. The Lobos play Clayton Oct. 17 in Tierra Amarilla. The last time Clayton came to town, in 2007, Escalante won 7-0.
McCurdy travels to Clayton Oct. 23. Ironically, Clayton was where McCurdy won its last state championship in 1976, beating the Yellowjackets 22-16.
If the Bobcats and the Lobos both beat Clayton, that will set up a big game on Halloween at McCurdy that could determine the district championship and which teams get into the playoffs.
Finishing first or second in District 1A is important because last season, Escalante finished third and didn’t advance to the state playoffs.
Having seen both teams, I’d have to give Escalante an edge in speed right now. However, McCurdy runs its spread option offense well and quarterback Louie Martinez has a strong and accurate arm. I think the team that plays the best defense will win the game.
There’s another good Class A team that could contend for the title. The Hagerman Bobcats are 4-0 and has beaten its local rival, Dexter, last year’s Class AA runnerup, 26-7 already this season. One of the District 1A powerhouses wouldn’t meat Hagerman until the state title game, which appears to a possibility this season.