Cats, Rams have work remaining

CLOVIS — It’s conceivable that either Clovis High or Portales High, or both, could still make it to postseason play. But the Wildcats and Rams have work to do, and almost surely will need to pull off road upsets in regular-season finales this week to have a realistic chance.

CHS (3-5, 3-2 Class 6A District 2/5), which saw its three-game winning streak end in a 41-14 loss to Sandia on Friday night at Leon Williams Stadium, plays a 7 p.m. game on Thursday against Eldorado (6-3, 3-1) at Albuquerque’s Milne Stadium. Meantime, the Rams (2-7, 0-2 Class 3A District 3/4) travel to top-ranked Lovington (6-3, 2-0) in a 7 p.m. start on Friday.

While it will be a quick turnaround for the Cats, Eldorado is coming off a bye week and should be well-rested. Still, a win would push Clovis up at least one notch to third place in the district, and greatly improve their playoff chances.

“I think there’s a chance we could get (into the playoffs even with a loss),” Clovis coach Cal Fullerton said Monday. “But you’d hate to go in losing your last two games. We’re going to have to have a good week of practice and play well Thursday night.”

The Cats led 7-0 early against the Matadors (4-4, 3-1) and were still within striking distance early in the final stanza, trailing 28-14 and driving, before a fumble at the Sandia 35 ended the bid. The Matadors immediately struck with a 65-yard score pass from junior quarterback Dalen Moyer to senior wide receiver Jacob Miranda, pretty much turning out the lights.

“Hopefully, the way we played last week leaves a bad taste in our mouths,” Fullerton said. “We’re going to try to go out (Thursday) and be hungry, and see what we can do.”

Eldorado is ranked ninth in Class 6A by MaxPreps this week, but has absorbed 40-0 and 42-0 setbacks from top-ranked Rio Rancho and No. 3 La Cueva, respectively. Leaders for the Eagles are senior running back Aiden St. John, who needs just five rushing yards in this one to eclipse 1,000 for the campaign, and senior middle linebacker A.J. Ortero, the team’s leading tackler.

Portales faces probably its biggest rival this week in Lovington, which is playing well and has blown out its first two district foes.

Meantime, the Rams have two shutout wins by a combined 93 points, but otherwise haven’t been able to get over the top with a relatively young squad.

It won’t be any easier against the Wildcats.

Senior wide receivers Isaac Hilliard, Javier Corrales and Tayten Willard have combined for 30 of Lovington’s touchdown receptions this fall. Junior QB Ashton Aranda has 23 of the scoring tosses, with more than 1,700 yards passing and eight interceptions.

“They’re extremely aggressive, and they have a lot of team speed,” PHS coach Jaime Ramirez said. “We definitely need a victory (to get into the playoffs).”

Lovington’s losses have been to Lea County rival Hobbs, Denver City and Artesia.