Rommell propels Cleveland past Cats

RIO RANCHO — Whether by ground or by air, Jordan Rommell delivered.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior saved most of his deliveries for the second half, posting 134 of his 181 yards of offense after halftime to help the young Cleveland Storm move to .500 on the season with a 27-20 victory over the Clovis Wildcats.

Rommell rushed 29 times for 149 yards, with touchdowns of 3 and 4 yards, and caught eight passes for 131 yards — including a 71-yard score with less than five minutes in the contest to give put visiting Clovis (2-2) down two scores.

CMI staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis junior Peyton Lott wraps up Cleveland receiver Sean Worthington in the second half Friday night at Cleveland High School. The host Storm defeated Clovis 27-20.

Cleveland coach Heath Ridenour credited Jordan with making plays when he got the opportunities, but noted the efforts of junior signal caller Kian Homme as well.

"It wasn't so much we were looking for him as it was our quarterback doing a good job of his pass progressions, and that's who the ball went to," Ridenour said. "But he's a pretty good option to check to."

Clovis, which managed 64 of its 255 offensive yards on the ground, cut the lead to seven when Kordell Tindle found Shaprei Bryant for a 37-yard score on a short screen pass. But Cleveland recovered the ensuing onside kick and Jordan rushed for his final 29 yards to help the Storm kill out the clock.

The Wildcats had big plays take some role in all three of their scores — with a 62-yard reception by Peyton Lott setting up a 1-yard Erik Thomas run, a 62-yard kickoff return by Kamal Cass setting up Cass for a 12-yard score, and the screen to Bryant.

But the Storm got their share of big plays, including a 49-yard touchdown from Rocque Dominguez midway through the third to tie the game at 14 — the first of three unanswered touchdowns by the host Storm.

Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus declined comment following the game.

The Wildcats return home after an 0-2 road swing through Manzano and Cleveland, and will host Rio Rancho Friday night.