CHS looking to stretch win streak
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CLOVIS — After struggling through the first six weeks of the season, Clovis High’s football team has suddenly put together a two-game winning streak.
The Wildcats hope to add to it on Friday night when they travel to Albuquerque for a 7 p.m. Class 6A District 2/5 clash against Manzano at Wilson Stadium.
A 28-21 victory on Friday at Santa Fe High has lifted the Cats (2-4, 2-1 district) into a tie for third place in the seven-team circuit with Sandia (3-4, 2-1). Meantime, the Monarchs (1-5, 0-2) are ahead of only Albuquerque High (2-5, 0-3) in the district.
“We watched film of them against Mayfield,” CHS coach Cal Fullerton said. “They were in the game for a while, then they gave up some big plays.”
Manzano’s lone victory came on Sept. 30 at Del Norte 42-6.
Despite all that, Fullerton is quick to point out that the Cats have had their own struggles.
“We’re not in a position to say we ‘should’ beat somebody,” he said.
One of Manzano’s top players is senior quarterback Jared Melfi, who started for the Monarchs two seasons ago as a sophomore.
“He’s a heck of an athlete,” Fullerton said. “If he gets loose, he can be pretty scary for sure.
“He throws it some, (but) they have a lot of designed runs for him.”
Fullerton said Friday’s gritty win should give the team some confidence. Clovis trailed at one point 21-6 before putting together three consecutive scoring drives in the second half.
Junior R.J. Nora’s interception deep in Clovis territory secured the victory.
“It was nice to have a little adversity and be able to come back from it,” he said.
With their two wins, the Cats have put themselves in decent position to make the 12-team Class 6A playoffs. After Friday’s tilt, Clovis hosts Sandia next week and ends the regular campaign at Eldorado (5-3, 3-1) on Oct. 30.
The top four seeds get first-round byes, while seeds 5-8 host seeds 9-12.
“I think we have to win two of the last three to get in,” Fullerton said. “Three wins could possibly get us a first-round home game.”
