Cats welcome longtime rival Carlsbad

It may not be much, but when you're 0-3 you look for any advantage you can get.

Clovis High's football teams welcomes longtime former district rival Carlsbad to Leon Williams Stadium for a 7 p.m. matchup on Friday. The Cavemen (1-2) are coming off a 28-7 loss at Class 6A No. 5 Volcano Vista on Saturday.

"We've got them on a short week," CHS coach Andrew McCraw said, "so hopefully they'll be tired."

The Cats dropped a 55-14 decision at Carlsbad last season. The Cavemen, coached this season by former ENMU standout wide receiver Cale Sanders, were senior-heavy last year, so they're in a bit of a rebuilding process.

"They're still trying to figure out who they are," McCraw said.

Carlsbad dropped its opener to Class 5A top-ranked Artesia 55-7, then defeated Roswell Goddard 27-19 before losing to the Hawks last week. Among the top players for the Cavemen are sophomore wide receiver Robert Castaneda, averaging nearly 27 yards on nine catches; senior running back Ulysses Mendoza, and senior outside linebacker Braden Pearson, the team's leading tackler.

McCraw said the Cats, coming off a 50-23 home loss to Canyon Randall on Friday, have had their moments during the first half of a challenging pre-district slate.

"We've got to finish drives on offense," he said. "We moved the ball last week, and we had some opportunities for big plays.

"Defensively, we've got to be more physical and keep guys in front of us."

Freshman Javi Lopez got some extended time at quarterback against the Raiders, with senior starter Jett Stone used as a slotback at times. McCraw said Stone will still start under center, but the Cats will look for chances to work Jimenez in.

"Javi's done a good job," McCraw said. "We're trying to work on some packages for him."

Rams host Valencia – Portales High, ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, will seek its fourth win of the campaign when the Rams entertain Valencia (2-0) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Greyhound Stadium.

The teams are meeting for the third consecutive year, with each having previously won on the other's field. Last season, the Rams edged the Los Lunas-based Jaguars 34-27, driving 99 yards to score in the final seconds and erase a one-point deficit.

"A lot of their offense goes through the running back (senior Daniel Villegas) and the quarterback (junior Aidan Harrington)," Rams coach Jaime Ramirez said. "Defensively, they seem to be very good up front."

Through three games, PHS has been scored on in only one quarter – two second-period TDs by West Las Vegas last week for a 14-7 lead at the half before the Rams roared back to win 48-14.

It will be the home opener for Valencia, coming off a bye week. The Jaguars won their opener at Kirtland Central 48-20 before edging Del Norte 6-0 on Aug. 25 in Albuquerque.

"Going into halftime behind, we had to dig deep and then things turned around," Ramirez said. "Our kids did a good job.

"This team's better than West Las Vegas. We want to be able to take away what they do well."

The Hawks are playing under their fourth head coach in four seasons in Ledarrius Cage.