Practice run

Clovis is getting a slightly earlier start on its annual preseason tradition.

The Wildcats are loading up the bus Thursday morning for Alamogordo, the neutral site for the annual scrimmage with Las Cruces.

The scrimmage is set for 4 p.m. at Alamogordo High School. The early scrimmage was requested by Las Cruces, Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus said, but the scheduling does help free up staff should they want to scout future opponents who are taking the traditional approach with a Friday scrimmage.

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis junior Shaprei Bryant, left, bats away a pass intended for senior tight

end Marshall Winn during Wildcat football practice Wednesday.

The Wildcats and Bulldawgs will do their standard scrimmage routine — 15 scripted plays for the first-team offenses and defenses, 15 plays for the second-team offenses and defenses, 15 more plays with each first-team offense and 10 goal-line situation plays.

The Bulldawgs, a perennial contender in Class 5A, is usually a good measuring stick. This year, it's even more true with Las Cruces' No. 1 preseason ranking.

"Tt'll help us see everything because they're a tough team," said senior tackle Seth Tinkle. "We can see our weak spots everywhere, and we can see our strong spots everywhere."

Roanhaus said an important part of the scrimmage is to see how the younger Wildcats handle the "baptism of fire" against the Bulldwags.

"They're definitely going to show us what we're made out of," Roanhaus said. "They reveal things you can't find playing against each other. They've got a quarterback who's really effective, and they've got a lot of returners on the offensive and defensive lines."

CNJ staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Clovis junior quarterback Kordell Tindle takes a snap during Wildcat football practice Wednesday. Clovis scrimmages Las Cruces 4 p.m. today at Alamogordo High School.

The Bulldawgs finished 8-3 last year and lost a 48-41 shootout with Rio Rancho in the Class 5A quarterfinals. Clovis went 6-6 and also reached the quarterfinals, where they were beaten by Manzano.

Tinkle thinks the Wildcat squad has a good chance to improve on that mark.

"I think we have a good-looking team," said Tinkle, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound tackle in his third varsity season. "We have a good running back with Kamal (Cass) and we have some really good skill players."

By all expectations, Clovis' scrimmage may turn out to be more difficult than its season opener at Santa Fe Capital, which is coming off back-to-back 1-9 campaigns.

"We're going from the top-ranked team in Class 5A to an unranked team in 4A," Roanhaus said. "There are going to be some differences."