2023 6A State Championship Team Preview: No. 3 La Cueva Bears
Record: 9-3 overall, 4-0 District 2-6A
Bid: Automatic - District Champion
Overview:The La Cueva Bears, fueled by the desire for redemption, return to the 6A State Championship game, aiming to overturn last year's heartbreak against the Cleveland Storm. This season, they find themselves on the doorstep of glory with a chance to dethrone the reigning champions and halt their three-peat bid. Despite a challenging 0-3 start (officially 1-2 with a forfeit to Rio Rancho in the first game), the Bears roared back with a remarkable 9-game winning streak, averaging an explosive 53.5 points per game.
The offense, guided by the dynamic 2025 quarterback Cameron Dyer, has been nothing short of impressive. Dyer, a standout playmaker, has amassed 2,283 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and showcased dual-threat ability with 1,139 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. The Bears' offensive prowess is further highlighted by junior running back Cheeto Lumbrera III, contributing 645 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
On the defensive front, the Bears boast a formidable unit led by the highly recruited linebacker Mason Posa. Posa, a junior with multiple Power-5 offers, has been a force with 93 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss (TFL), 7 sacks, and an interception. Supported by playmakers like linebacker Nick Mertz, ball-hawking safety McKay Burtenshaw, and standout seniors Shawn Barela and Jackson Cherry, La Cueva's defense has allowed only 15.5 points per game during their impressive winning streak.
Path to the State Championship: In the quarterfinals, La Cueva dominated 11-seed Farmington with a commanding 45-6 victory, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess. The semifinals saw a hard-fought battle against 7-seed Las Cruces, with the Bears emerging victorious with a 38-34 triumph.
Last State Championship Game Appearance: La Cueva suffered a heart-wrenching loss in the 2022 state championship game against Cleveland, falling 75-61 in a high-scoring affair. Notably, the Bears are the last team to have interrupted Cleveland's reign, securing the state championship in 2018 with a convincing 33-14 victory.
Head Coach: Guiding the Bears into this championship showdown is Head Coach Brandon Beck, a seasoned leader with three prior state championship game appearances (2022, 2018, and 2017, winning it all in 2018). With a coaching record of 83-38 over 11 years at La Cueva, Beck brings experience and a determination to guide his team to victory.
Recent History Vs. Opponent (Three-year Glance): La Cueva faces a formidable opponent in Cleveland, holding a 0-3 record in the three-year glance. The regular-season loss this year adds fuel to their quest for redemption.
Offensive Players to Watch:
Related:
Record: 9-3 overall, 4-0 District 2-6A
Bid: Automatic - District Champion
Overview:The La Cueva Bears, fueled by the desire for redemption, return to the 6A State Championship game, aiming to overturn last year's heartbreak against the Cleveland Storm. This season, they find themselves on the doorstep of glory with a chance to dethrone the reigning champions and halt their three-peat bid. Despite a challenging 0-3 start (officially 1-2 with a forfeit to Rio Rancho in the first game), the Bears roared back with a remarkable 9-game winning streak, averaging an explosive 53.5 points per game.
The offense, guided by the dynamic 2025 quarterback Cameron Dyer, has been nothing short of impressive. Dyer, a standout playmaker, has amassed 2,283 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, and showcased dual-threat ability with 1,139 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. The Bears' offensive prowess is further highlighted by junior running back Cheeto Lumbrera III, contributing 645 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
On the defensive front, the Bears boast a formidable unit led by the highly recruited linebacker Mason Posa. Posa, a junior with multiple Power-5 offers, has been a force with 93 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss (TFL), 7 sacks, and an interception. Supported by playmakers like linebacker Nick Mertz, ball-hawking safety McKay Burtenshaw, and standout seniors Shawn Barela and Jackson Cherry, La Cueva's defense has allowed only 15.5 points per game during their impressive winning streak.
Path to the State Championship: In the quarterfinals, La Cueva dominated 11-seed Farmington with a commanding 45-6 victory, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess. The semifinals saw a hard-fought battle against 7-seed Las Cruces, with the Bears emerging victorious with a 38-34 triumph.
Last State Championship Game Appearance: La Cueva suffered a heart-wrenching loss in the 2022 state championship game against Cleveland, falling 75-61 in a high-scoring affair. Notably, the Bears are the last team to have interrupted Cleveland's reign, securing the state championship in 2018 with a convincing 33-14 victory.
Head Coach: Guiding the Bears into this championship showdown is Head Coach Brandon Beck, a seasoned leader with three prior state championship game appearances (2022, 2018, and 2017, winning it all in 2018). With a coaching record of 83-38 over 11 years at La Cueva, Beck brings experience and a determination to guide his team to victory.
Recent History Vs. Opponent (Three-year Glance): La Cueva faces a formidable opponent in Cleveland, holding a 0-3 record in the three-year glance. The regular-season loss this year adds fuel to their quest for redemption.
Offensive Players to Watch:
- Cameron Dyer, QB (2025): A dynamic quarterback with over 2,000 passing yards, Dyer's ability to lead the offense with both his arm and legs makes him a player to watch.
- Cheeto Lumbrera III (2025): The junior running back has been a valuable asset, contributing over 600 rushing yards and showcasing his ability to find the end zone.
- Receiving Corps: Tanner Montano (2026), Cruz Markham (2024), and Jackson Hix (2024) bring versatility and playmaking ability to the Bears' passing game.
- Mason Posa, LB (2025): A highly recruited linebacker by a handful of Power-5 programs, Posa's disruptive presence with sacks, tackles for loss, and interceptions adds a dynamic element to La Cueva's defense.
- Nick Mertz, LB (2025): A tackling machine with 72 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss, Mertz provides a strong presence in the linebacker corps.
- Secondary Standouts: McKay Burtenshaw (2024), Shawn Barela (2024), and Jackson Cherry (2024) form a formidable defensive backfield, creating turnovers and disrupting opposing passing attacks.
- Explosive Offense: La Cueva's offense, spearheaded by the dynamic Cameron Dyer, has the ability to score at will. With a versatile running back and a talented receiving corps, they bring a multi-faceted attack that keeps defenses on their heels.
- Defensive Dominance: The Bears' defense, particularly the linebacker duo of Mason Posa and Nick Mertz, has proven to be disruptive. With the ability to generate sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers, they pose a significant challenge to opposing offenses.
- Championship Mindset: Head Coach Brandon Beck's experience in state championship games brings a championship mindset to the Bears. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, La Cueva enters the championship game with the determination to reclaim the title.
Related:
- Feature: A Day in the Life: Grine's 15 Years of NMPreps
- Feature: 5A State Championship Game Preview
- Feature: 4A State Championship Game Preview
- Feature: 3A State Championship Game Preview
- 5A Championship Team Preview: Roswell
- 5A Championship Team Preview: Artesia
- 4A Championship Team Preview: Lovington
- 4A Championship Team Preview: Portales
- 3A Championship Team Preview: St. Michael's
- 3A Championship Team Preview: Robertson
