Wolverines thump Bears in opener

FARWELL — Texico’s football team survived soggy weather, a venue change and the Estancia Bears on Saturday night to post a 45-6 victory in the season opener for both teams.

Originally scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in Texico, the Wolverines were able to move the game to Farwell’s turf field for a Saturday night kickoff. It didn’t take them long to take control.

Junior quarterback Cade Figg scored twice in the first quarter and sophomore running back Alex Fuentes tallied four times over the remaining three stanzas as Texico pulled away.

Figg’s 10-yard run and junior Oscar Estrada’s PAT kick put Texico in front. Estancia countered with its lone score, but failed on a 2-point conversion attempt for the lead.

Figg then added a 1-yard scoring run before Fuentes went to work, posting touchdown runs of 11, 5, 3 and 8 yards. The Wolverines added four 2-point conversions — two each by Fuentes and junior Kyle Gonser.

Sophomore Warren Schooley had a blocked punt for Texico.

The Wolverines host former district rival Santa Rosa in a 7 p.m. start on Friday.

Also on Saturday:

Dora 28, Roy/Mosquero 0 — Senior Connor Rooney scored on a 60-yard run on the game’s first play and the Coyotes, who did not field a team last fall, cruised at home in their first outing since the COVID-abbreviated spring season of 2021.

Junior Cole Kircher added scoring runs of 5, 1 and 8 yards for Dora, and also collected three 1-point conversions — two on runs and one on a pass. The Coyotes led 21-0 at halftime and controlled play against the Blue behind a stout defense, led by Kircher and senior Lane Faver, and 100-yard rushing games from Kircher and sophomore Aaron Combs.

Dora is on the road for a 4 p.m. game on Saturday against Mountainair.

In Friday night openers:

Elida 72, Carrizozo 22 — The visiting Grizzlies led 16-13 at the quarter, but it was all Elida after that.

Senior Mason Pritchett scored four times on runs of 35, 1, 26 and 9 yards. Freshman Chase Aguirri and sophomore Dylan Dobbins each ran for a pair of TDs, while junior Teagan Norman caught a 35-yard scoring pass from Aguirri and freshman Cason Norman returned an interception 52 yards for a score early in the final period.

The game ended with 6:50 to go when senior Dalyn Taylor returned a fumble 29 yards for a touchdown.

The Tigers are at home again on Saturday for a 2 p.m. start against Albuquerque-based Chesterton Academy, which is fielding a team for the first time.

Melrose 50, Legacy Academy 0 — At Melrose, the Buffaloes rolled to a 44-0 halftime lead and ended it on the 50-point lead rule when junior Dathan Yeary tallied on a 6-yard run about midway through the fourth stanza.

Sophomore quarterback Josiah Roybal went 14-for-19 for 265 yards and five touchdowns, including two to his twin brother, Josh. Freshman Max Sena caught a 45-yard pass from Roybal to start the scoring, while sophomore Cy Draper had a 21-yard TD reception, freshman Jaxon Odom took a screen pass 46 yards for a score and sophomore Brayden Eldridge added a TD run of 45 yards.

Melrose returns to action on Friday in a 4 p.m. start against Mancos (Colo.), on a neutral field at Escalante, the first of two games against Colorado opponents for the Buffs.

Also on Saturday, Grady dropped its opening game at Animas 59-33. The Bronchos are in action again on Friday in their home opener against Roy/Mosquero, scheduled for 5 p.m.