Wolverines cruise past overmatched Loving

LOVING — To say Texico made short work of Loving on Saturday would probably qualify as an understatement.

The Wolverines (4-0) erupted for five touchdowns in the opening stanza, then scored on the first play of the final period to cap a 53-0 victory over the winless Falcons (0-4), stopped early by the state’s 50-point mercy rule.

Texico will have the opportunity to play in University Stadium on the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque on Friday when it faces also-unbeaten Eunice (4-0) in a 2 p.m. kickoff in a New Mexico Activities Association “bowl game.” It’s one of five contests being played at UNM between Thursday and Saturday.

At Loving, senior quarterback Gabe Dickerman ran for one score and threw for three more, two to senior David Davalos and one to junior Cade Collins. Also senior Josh Myers ran for two touchdowns, senior Seth Griego ran for one and freshman Cade Figg got the game-ending TD.

The Wolverines also added a safety en route to a 35-0 lead after one quarter.

“Our kids came out ready to play,” Texico coach Bob Gilbreath said. “They enjoy playing, and have fun playing together.”

Texico scored its eight touchdowns in just 22 plays from scrimmage, Gilbreath noted, adding that the overmatched Falcons never got past their own 36.

Three other area small schools will also play this weekend, with Clovis Christian (2-0) visiting Mountainair (4-0) and Elida (2-2) traveling to Hondo (1-2) in 7 p.m. starts on Friday, and Dora (1-3) playing at Carrizozo (1-2) in a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday.