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No. 3 Cleveland 35, No. 5 Las Cruces 25 – Final
(Field of Dreams, Las Cruces) -In a thrilling showdown at the Field of Dreams, No. 3-ranked Cleveland secured a crucial 35-25 victory over No. 5 Las Cruces, thanks to a goal-line stand at the end of the first half and a key fourth-quarter interception that set up the go-ahead touchdown.
The game saw seven lead changes, with both teams trading blows throughout the night. Las Cruces struck first, driving 57 yards in 8 plays, capped by a 6-yard rushing touchdown from running back Danny Amaro. However, Cleveland quickly responded with an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 42-yard pass to Jacob Maldonado. Isaiah Yannis punched in a 2-yard touchdown on fourth down, giving Cleveland a 7-6 lead late in the first quarter.
Las Cruces regained the advantage when quarterback Gunnar Guardiola dumped the ball off to Amaro, who weaved through defenders for a 60-yard touchdown, giving the Bulldawgs a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Cleveland continued to battle, as Yannis scored his second touchdown of the game in the second quarter to take a 14-13 lead. Just before halftime, Las Cruces drove to the 1-yard line, but Cleveland's defense came up with a critical stop, preserving the 14-13 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Las Cruces mounted a clock-eating, 51-yard drive over 14 plays, retaking the lead 19-14. Cleveland responded immediately, with Juan Munoz catching a short pass and taking it 31 yards for a touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 21-19.
Las Cruces fought back again, as Amaro found the end zone for his third touchdown of the night to give the Bulldawgs a 25-21 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Cleveland's defense stiffened, and a fourth-quarter interception on a deflected pass shifted the momentum. Yannis scored his third touchdown of the night on a 5-yard run, giving the Storm a 35-25 lead with under five minutes remaining.
With the victory, Cleveland improved to 3-1 overall on the season, while Las Cruces fell to 2-2 overall.
No. 15 Los Lunas 14, No. 13 Eldorado 6 – Final
(Wilson Stadium, Albuquerque) - In a low-scoring, penalty-laden contest at Wilson Stadium, Los Lunas edged Eldorado 14-6 to improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in District 2-6A. Eldorado dropped its first game of the season, falling to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in district play.
The game was dominated by defensive stops and penalties, but Los Lunas capitalized on two key plays to claim the win. The first came on a quick screen pass from junior quarterback Kaiden Reese to fellow junior Robert Pino, who broke free for a 41-yard touchdown, giving the Tigers an early lead.
Eldorado’s only score came later with 6 second left in the game, the Eagles were unable to build momentum as the Los Lunas defense held strong throughout the night. Another big play helped Los Lunas seal the victory and maintain control of the game.
Despite the limited offensive output, Los Lunas found just enough to secure the win, improving to 2-1 on the season and taking an important district victory. Eldorado will look to bounce back after their first loss as district play continues.
Gadsden 28, No. 21 Mayfield 20 – Final
District 2-5A play opened with Gadsden securing a hard-fought 28-20 victory over No. 21 Mayfield. After a scoreless first quarter, Gadsden took the lead in the second with a 27-yard rushing touchdown from Anthony Palomares, followed by a successful PAT from Daan Cano to go up 7-0.
Gadsden kept the momentum as quarterback Adrian Munoz completed a 25-yard pass to Zakk Minjarez, and later, Alfredo Andrade added a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers missed the extra point but extended their lead to 13-0. Mayfield answered with a 1-yard rushing TD, followed by a PAT to cut the deficit to 13-7.
Before halftime, Munoz connected with Christopher Orozco for a 14-yard touchdown pass, and another PAT from Cano made it 20-7 in favor of Gadsden at the break.
In the third quarter, Mayfield responded with a 34-yard rushing touchdown by Luke Linnan, closing the gap to 20-14 after the successful extra point.
Gadsden put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Andrade, followed by a two-point conversion on a pass from Munoz to Minjarez, making it 28-14. Mayfield managed a late touchdown on an 8-yard pass, but the missed PAT left them trailing 28-20.
Gadsden remained undefeated at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in District 2-5A, while Mayfield dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in district play.
Belen 31, Valley 20 – Final
(Milne Stadium, Albuquerque) Belen secured their first win of the season with a 31-20 victory over Valley in District 1-5A action. Belen improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in district play, while Valley fell to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the district.
Belen opened the scoring with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Ethan Thomas midway through the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Valley responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jose Jaramillo to Gabe Gonzales, but the missed PAT left Belen ahead 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Jasode Harris broke free for an 81-yard rushing touchdown to extend Belen’s lead to 13-6, though the extra point was missed. Valley tied the game at 13-13 after a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Jaramillo and a successful PAT. The teams entered halftime knotted at 13.
Belen reclaimed the lead in the third quarter with a 38-yard rushing touchdown by Elijah Schaffino, making it 19-13. However, Valley fought back in the fourth quarter when Jaramillo connected with Gonzales for a 22-yard touchdown pass, giving Valley a 20-19 lead.
Belen quickly responded as Thomas threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Logan Gonzalez to go back up 25-20. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Schaffino sealed the game with a 2-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth. Belen missed the final PAT, but the 31-20 scoreline held as the final.
Belen’s balanced attack helped them notch their first win of the season, while Valley continues to search for its first victory.
