Wildcats football notebook

Bruce is back

Three decades after he started his coaching career at Gattis Junior High, former Texico, Bovina and Alamogordo head coach Bruce Scroggins is back at Clovis. He is coaching the defensive ends and tight ends.

“The kids like to be around him and he likes to be around the kids,” Clovis defensive coordinator Darren Kelley said. “His knowledge of the game and that fact that he likes to work hard and have fun make him a great addition.”

Scroggins spent 11 years at Gattis and six more as a Clovis junior varsity coach. He won a state title at Texico (1990) before moving on to Alamogordo for five years.

“I’ve enjoyed everywhere I’ve been, but it’s good to be back around the purple again,” Scroggins said.

Turning heads

Junior RB/LB Jordan Moore has been a pleasant surprise after sitting out last year. “He’s not afraid to hit,” Kelley said. Senior G/DE Nathan Cordova has worked his way into the starting lineup with a strong first week while senior DE Jason Burns’ unusual combination of size and speed makes him a menace on every play.

Position watch

Running back

Speedy senior Phillip Williams is one of the top running backs in the state but otherwise there is little depth. Three potential starters have left the program since last year. Junior Tanner Fickling is expected to start alongside Williams.

Two-minute drill

Damian Robinson

Wide receiver, 6-4, 175, senior

If there any significance to wearing No. 18?

I’ve always wore that number all the way up.

What other sports do you play?

I run track (hurdles)

What do you like about football?

I have a lot of good friends here. I’ve played it every year since I was in third grade. It’s my favorite sport.

Do you know what you want to do after high school?

I’d like to go into sports medicine or be an emergency medical technician or something that would allow to be around sports.

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?

I hang out with my friends.

You like to play Madden 2004 and 2005, what team do you take?

The Broncos.

What is it that you would like to do on the football field?

I haven’t experienced Friday nights yet. I’m looking forward to that.

Footnote: Robinson has four brothers and three sisters. He is the oldest.

Scouting report

Cibola (Nov. 12)

The Cougars graduated 23 seniors from last year’s District 1-5A champions, including all-American 6-6, 290-pound lineman Alan Branch, now a freshman at Michigan. ... Last year’s district title was the school’s first in 19 years. ... Their top returning players are 6-3 junior quarterback Clinton Carroll and 6-2, 230-pound linebacker/fullback Andrew Pena.

Important dates

Wednesday — School starts

Friday — Scrimmage Las Cruces High, 4 p.m., Alamogordo

Aug. 27 — Host Las Cruces Mayfield in season-opener.

Oct. 15 — First district game at Carlsbad