No. 1 Rio Rancho 39, No. 3 Las Cruces 17
The 3-seed Las Cruces Bulldawgs jumped out to an early 14-6 lead in the opening quarter after a pair of touchdowns and a blocked PAT by the Bulldawgs. Las Cruces and Mr. Football candidate Payton Ball scored the first touchdown of the day and also connected with receiver Ivan Molina from 20-yards out.
Zeneth Klovenas of the Rams scored two first half touchdowns that helped the Rams even the score at 14 in the second quarter. After a Las Cruces touchdown, Josh Foley caught a 64-yard pass to put the Rams up 21-17 heading into the half.
Rio Rancho's Josh Foley opened the second half with a touchdown for the Rams as they extended their lead to 27-17 in the third quarter. Late into the third quarter Rams quarterback Nic Little punched it in from 5-yards out to take a 33-17 lead. Rams running back Josh Foley broke for a 85-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that would seal the deal.
The Rio Rancho Rams finished the season (13-0) and win their second state championship in three years.
Scoring Drive
4th Q: Josh Foley scores on a 85-yard TD. (Rio Rancho 39, Las Cruces 17)
3rd Q: Nic Little scores from 5-yards out. (Rio Rancho 33, Las Cruces 17)
3rd Q: Josh Foley scored from 4-yards out. (Rio Rancho 27, Las Cruces 17)
2nd Q: Zeneth Klovenas scores his second TD. (Rio Rancho 21, Las Cruces 17).
2nd Q: Gabe Quezeda scores on a 30-yard Field Goal. (Las Cruces 17, Rio Rancho 14)
2nd Q: Nic Little to Josh Foley on a 64-yard TD pass. (Las Cruces 14, Rio Rancho 14)
2nd Q: Payton Ball to Ivan Molina on a 20-yard TD. (Las Cruces 14, Rio Rancho 7)
2nd Q: Zeneth Klovenas scores from 3-yards out. (Las Cruces 7, Rio Rancho 6): Blocked PAT by Brandon Baeza of LCHS.
1st Q: Payton Ball scores from 1-yard out (Las Cruces 7, Rio Rancho 0)
Rio Rancho Rams Season-at-a-glance.
8/26 - Mayfield (W 34-7)
9/2 - El Paso - Americas, Texas (W 31-7)
9/9 - Clovis (W 46-7)
9/16 - Onate (W 38-10)
9/23 - Manzano (W 64-27)
9/30 - Sandia (W 49-0)
10/7 - Cleveland (W 42-28)
10/14 - Volcano Vista (W 63-14)
10/29 - Cibola (W 42-3)
11/4 - Piedra Vista (W 48-0)
11/18 - Onate (W 48-0) - Quarterfinals
11/26 - Manzano (W 35-7) - Semi-Finals
12/3 - Las Cruces
The 3-seed Las Cruces Bulldawgs jumped out to an early 14-6 lead in the opening quarter after a pair of touchdowns and a blocked PAT by the Bulldawgs. Las Cruces and Mr. Football candidate Payton Ball scored the first touchdown of the day and also connected with receiver Ivan Molina from 20-yards out.
Zeneth Klovenas of the Rams scored two first half touchdowns that helped the Rams even the score at 14 in the second quarter. After a Las Cruces touchdown, Josh Foley caught a 64-yard pass to put the Rams up 21-17 heading into the half.
Rio Rancho's Josh Foley opened the second half with a touchdown for the Rams as they extended their lead to 27-17 in the third quarter. Late into the third quarter Rams quarterback Nic Little punched it in from 5-yards out to take a 33-17 lead. Rams running back Josh Foley broke for a 85-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that would seal the deal.
The Rio Rancho Rams finished the season (13-0) and win their second state championship in three years.
Scoring Drive
4th Q: Josh Foley scores on a 85-yard TD. (Rio Rancho 39, Las Cruces 17)
3rd Q: Nic Little scores from 5-yards out. (Rio Rancho 33, Las Cruces 17)
3rd Q: Josh Foley scored from 4-yards out. (Rio Rancho 27, Las Cruces 17)
2nd Q: Zeneth Klovenas scores his second TD. (Rio Rancho 21, Las Cruces 17).
2nd Q: Gabe Quezeda scores on a 30-yard Field Goal. (Las Cruces 17, Rio Rancho 14)
2nd Q: Nic Little to Josh Foley on a 64-yard TD pass. (Las Cruces 14, Rio Rancho 14)
2nd Q: Payton Ball to Ivan Molina on a 20-yard TD. (Las Cruces 14, Rio Rancho 7)
2nd Q: Zeneth Klovenas scores from 3-yards out. (Las Cruces 7, Rio Rancho 6): Blocked PAT by Brandon Baeza of LCHS.
1st Q: Payton Ball scores from 1-yard out (Las Cruces 7, Rio Rancho 0)
Rio Rancho Rams Season-at-a-glance.
8/26 - Mayfield (W 34-7)
9/2 - El Paso - Americas, Texas (W 31-7)
9/9 - Clovis (W 46-7)
9/16 - Onate (W 38-10)
9/23 - Manzano (W 64-27)
9/30 - Sandia (W 49-0)
10/7 - Cleveland (W 42-28)
10/14 - Volcano Vista (W 63-14)
10/29 - Cibola (W 42-3)
11/4 - Piedra Vista (W 48-0)
11/18 - Onate (W 48-0) - Quarterfinals
11/26 - Manzano (W 35-7) - Semi-Finals
12/3 - Las Cruces
