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Melrose set for next challenge against Tatum

MELROSE — The NMAA state football playoffs are in full-swing, as three area teams — Melrose, Portales and Clovis, will look to extend their seasons by another week. Melrose is seeking a fourth-consecutive Eight-Man state title, and the ninth overall state crown under long-time Buffaloes coach Dickie Roybal.

Melrose (9-0) is the No. 1 seed in the Eight-Man division, and is coming off a 58-0 quarterfinal rout of No. 8 Cloudcroft. What’s more impressive about the win is that the Buffaloes hadn’t played a game in nearly a month — dating back to Oct. 13, due to bye weeks and a cancellation along the way.

“Yeah, they were excited to get back on the field,” Roybal said of his team. “There were some things we saw last week that we tried to fine-tune in practice this week — things like timing that needed to improve after a long layoff. But, we had a good week of practice and we’re ready to go out and play again.”

Tonight, the Buffaloes will have a much tougher challenge against Tatum (7-3). The No. 4 team in the Eight-Man tournament is coming off a win against another area team, No. 5 Dora, a week ago.

Tatum took down the Coyotoes 40-26, beating them for the second time this year. Like Dora, Melrose will face Tatum for a second time this season, but unlike Dora, Melrose has already successfully slayed the Coyotes.

Back on Sept. 15, Melrose stomped the ’Yotes 54-0. This time around, Melrose will travel to Tatum, and for Roybal, making the trip will prove to be a tougher go of things for his Buffaloes.

“They’ve definitely improved since the last time we faced them,” Roybal said. “They got a lot of speed and they like to hit. Plus, they’re tough to beat at home.”

 
 
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