Melrose pummels Cloudcroft

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MELROSE — The Melrose Buffaloes are the reigning champions of New Mexico 8-man football because they have experience, speed and talent.

They’re a favorite to stay that way because everybody plays a part.

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Melrose sophomore Carson Fraze tries to power past Cloudcroft defenders Jarod Gay, left, and Jacob Toddy. Fraze had five carries for 45 yards in Melrose’s 60-6 win.

The Buffaloes wasted no time — OK, maybe a little time — and dominated Cloudcroft in every phase of the game for a 60-6 victory Friday night.

Melrose (2-0) led 40-0 with 2:49 left in the first quarter, at which point longtime coach Dickie Roybal said, “Second team, get ready.” The Buffs’ backups needed the first few minutes of the third to end the game via the 50-point mercy rule, but still outgained the overmatched Bears (1-1) by a full field — 219-119.

The first team, meanwhile, did swift damage, starting with Rowdy Allen’s 70-yard touchdown return touchdown on the opening kickoff. Allen ended his night with a 29-yard touchdown run, which followed scoring runs of 10 and 28 yards by sophomore quarterback Cade Barnard.

The onslaught went quickly in no small part because of senior Chris Fisher, who never touched the ball on offense but had two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt in the opening stanza.

“We try to work harder every day in practice,” Fisher said. “Coach tells us if we slack off, things are going to be difficult for us. We don’t take this season for granted.”

Sophomore Sterling Sena, who saw time with both squads, had 112 yards on just three carries, including a 50-yarder to put Melrose up 16-0 just 2:50 into the game and a 57-yarder with 5:47 left in the third to close it out.

The Bears got the bulk of their offensive yards on the lone scoring drive, set up by sophomore Jarod Gay’s 66-yard run and finished by his 13-yard TD carry three plays later.

The Buffaloes also got scores on a pair of second-quarter Tristan Sena passes to Hunter Sorgen for 8 and 59 yards, respectively.

Cloudcroft, which faces Ramah next week, did lose quarterback Alix Miller in the first quarter. Second-year coach Toby Hall said with or without their top player, Melrose simply had more experience and talent on the field than the Bears.

“They’re good, they lost only two seniors (from 2014),” Hall said. “Plus they’re just very well-coached.”

Roybal, who has coached the Buffaloes to four eight-man titles and six overall, said the team stays motivated even when they’re an overwhelming favorite.

“That part comes from senior leadership,” said Roybal, whose squad plays at Mescalero next week. “This is the first time we’ve had this many seniors (six) in a long time. Their leadership is what drives us.”