Cats face tough slate in pre-district play

CLOVIS – Clovis High's football team slogged through an 0-6 record during pre-District 4-5A play last fall, then found itself in position for a Class 6A state playoff bid going into the last week of the regular season.

The Wildcats lost 54-0 at Los Lunas in their finale, finishing 3-7. They hope for a better start this year, even though their schedule is identical to 2022 except to reverse sites.

Second-year coach Andrew McCraw remains ever optimistic.

"We're working hard," he said as the Cats opened practice on Monday. "The older kids have done a good job of executing our schemes. Now we need more younger kids to step up."

Senior fullback-linebacker Kash Roberts said the Cats just have to go out and get it done.

"We were young last year, but now we've grown up," he said. "There's no excuses this year. We're expecting a lot from (this year's) juniors who played a lot last year."

Roberts handled all placekicking duties last season for the Cats. He missed a potential late tying PAT kick in a 28-27 loss to Eldorado in Week 5, but two weeks later booted a late field goal to lift CHS past Albuquerque High 31-28 in the district opener.

This year, he is scheduled to handle kickoffs, with senior Josiah Chavarria doing field goals and extra points.

"I'm looking to finish out my senior year with a bang," Roberts said. "These last couple of years have been rough.

"We can't use the excuse that we're young anymore. We're looking to get back to Clovis Wildcat football."

CHS kicks off its 2023 campaign at Leon Williams Stadium against Hobbs on August 19. The district slate begins at home against Albuquerque High on Sept. 29.

McCraw said one of the team's main concerns is depth. He thinks as long as the Cats can avoid a rash of injuries, they could be all right.

"The numbers are low, but it's OK," he said. "They're all working hard. The effort's been great. We've just got to get better."

"Our schedule's tough again, but it's going to prepare us for district. I think we've got a chance to win our district title, and if we can stay healthy, I expect we'll have a really good year."

The Cats have a 4 p.m. scrimmage on tap this Wednesday against Las Cruces High at Ruidoso. The Bulldawgs are a perennial power in New Mexico large-school football, but are coming off a rare down season (2-7).

"Making the playoffs is 100 percent the goal," Roberts said. "I also want to have a winning record. It we can stay healthy and be in condition, I think we should fly around and make plays."