LCHS/Clovis advance

Bulldawgs and Wildcats meet in 5A semis at Field of Dreams
By Felix Chavez
Sun-News Reporter
LAS CRUCES - One of Las Cruces High's top priorities in 2007 was to return to prominence in high school football.
The Bulldawgs have done just that, winning 10 games, earning the No. 2 seed in the Class 5A playoffs, winning a playoff game and beating the likes of Eldorado and Artesia during the regular season.
One of the other priorities was to return 5A championship game, a place the school hasn't been to since 2002 when it beat Mayfield for the title.
Today at the Field of Dreams, the Bulldawgs seek to advance to next weekend's title game when it meets third-seeded and 8-3 Clovis in an afternoon contest.
"We know Clovis is a tough team with great tradition and they have improved a great deal," said LCHS offensive Ricky Padilla after last week's win. "We have to be focused and ready to play."
The Bulldawgs, who last played in the semifinals in 2004, have been consistent on offense all season, led by junior running back James Hall Jr. and running back Dante Caro, who are nearing 3,000 combined rushing yards.
Las Cruces High's only loss was a 14-7 setback to Mayfield in the regular season finale on Nov. 9.
"It's no surprise Las Cruces is 10-1," Clovis head coach Eric Roanhaus said. "They have great team quickness and Hall and Caro are tremendous. They also play aggressively on defense."
Clovis, which last played in the 5A title game in 2005, has won five straight games, including last week's 21-17 come-from-behind win at home against La Cueva. It was the third clutch comeback for the Wildcats this year. They also rallied to beat Artesia and Cibola.
"We weren't very good the first six or seven games," Roanhaus said. "We've gotten better as the season has gone on. I'm happy with the progress we have made. It's nice to know we have the potential to come back in a game and win it."
The Wildcats will lean on quarterback Jordan Mendoza and running back Manuel Robles, who has run for over 1,117 yards. Mendoza threw two touchdown passes last week and Robles has scored 12 touchdowns this season.
Both will test a Las Cruces High defense that is looking to play better than last week, when it gave up 45 points in a 50-45 quarterfinal victory against Manzano.
"We want a little redemption this week," LCHS defensive coordinator Brent Jaquess said. "We gave up 250 yards in the fourth quarter and that won't cut it in the playoffs. We have to close out games, Manzano did a great job last week. Clovis is tough, the Robles kid is a good blocker and a good North/South runner. Clovis did a good job throwing the ball and we'll have to be ready for that."
Today's game begins at 1 p.m. and can be heard on KSNM-AM 570.

Felix Chavez can be reached at fchavez@lcsun-news.com