Clovis High football team looks to cast out Demons

CLOVIS — Fitting that the Clovis High football team is playing the Santa Fe Demons tonight. The Wildcats would exorcise several demons with a victory in the capital.

If they are indeed able to bag a win tonight, the 'Cats would accomplish three things:

• End their losing streak at three. Any calendar on your wall, phone or wristwatch will tell you it's Oct. 20. The Wildcats haven't won since Sept. 15.

• Climb back to the .500 mark at 4-4. Last week's loss to Manzano dropped Clovis under .500 for the first time this season.

• Win a road game. The Wildcats are 0-3 away from Leon Williams Stadium.

Yes, quite a haul to be had for the Wildcats if they can just get that victory tonight (7 p.m. kickoff).

"It'll be good," Clovis junior running back and punter Montez Wright said after Thursday's practice. "We've been on a losing streak. We're hoping to break it, especially on the road."

Clovis lost those three away games at Rio Rancho, Lubbock-Cooper and Eldorado by 3, 7 and 9 points, respectively, dropping the first two in overtime.

"We talked about close games and being in games," Clovis head coach Cal Fullerton said Thursday. "But at the end of the day they're still losses. You keep losing games, it becomes a habit."

It's doubtful that will be a problem for the 'Cats tonight, at least if the numbers are any indication. Though their own results over the last month have been a huge disappointment to them, they're still in a much better position than the Demons, who are 0-8 and have mustered just 55 points while surrendering 324. The former District 2-6A opponents actually asked the New Mexico Activities Association for permission to leave the district, where they played last year to similar results. The wish was granted, and the Demons are currently playing as an independent. They've lost 32 straight, dating back to the 2014 season.

So, Clovis should just ride up there, make a few plays and get away with an easy victory, right?

Well, maybe. We've heard coach after coach from the pros to pee-wees say that no victory can be taken for granted, say that teams can't look beyond any game. Should the Wildcats win? Most would have to say yes. But it won't happen by osmosis, they've got to go out and do it.

"Not only players but coaches," Fullerton said. "We've got to prepare like they're the No. 1 team in the state. That's how upsets happen, when you underestimate a team and don't prepare right."

"You can't slack," Wright said. "You have to take any game seriously, because anything can happen. You have to practice just as hard. Records don't mean anything."

Fullerton said that senior Darian Goins, who has been the Wildcats' main quarterback the past two games, will start again tonight. Senior quarterback Brandt Davis suffered a slightly injured patella on Wednesday, but Fullerton said he'll be ready to go tonight if called upon.

After a brief stop at home last week, the Wildcats are venturing back on another long trip, making the 3 1/2-hour trek to Santa Fe. No worries, says Fullerton.

"I don't think the travel is a problem," he said. "It's the same routine as it has been. We've just got to finish games on the road."