Buffs complete dominant season with 8-man title

MELROSE – It took only one play Saturday to let you know where this matchup was headed.

On the game's first play from scrimmage, Melrose senior Michael Cardonita caught a swing pass from junior quarterback Josiah Roybal and weaved his way down the right sideline and past Clayton defenders for a 62-yard touchdown.

Suffice it to say, it didn't get any better for the Yellowjackets after that as the Buffaloes rolled to a 50-0 victory in the 8-man state championship game, which ended on the 50-point rule late in the third quarter after a 77-yard touchdown run by senior Dathan Yeary.

"It was like my dream," Cardonita said of the dominating team performance. "I had a great time in my last (football) game with this team."

It was the Buffs' first state championship since 2019, although they've now reached the finals seven times since 2014, winning all but one of them.

"It's really an emotional day," said first-year coach Drew Hatley, a Clovis High alum and longtime Wildcats assistant. "I'm proud of the kids' effort.

"Everybody got in the game and contributed, on offense, defense or special teams. It was a good team effort."

Melrose (12-1), which 50-pointed 10 of its 11 New Mexico opponents, had the running clock going midway through the second frame when junior Josh Roybal – Josiah's twin – picked off a Jonoven Hidalgo pass and returned it 36 yards for a score and a 36-0 lead.

For his part, Cardonita had just the one pass reception and two carries, all three of which resulted in touchdowns.

"Getting the ball in Michael's hands early is good," Hatley said. "It's always fun to watch him run."

Melrose posted a 287-165 edge in total offense over the upstart seventh-seeded Yellowjackets (7-6), who pulled two road upsets to start the postseason and had won four in a row coming in. At times, Clayton managed to move the ball, but was never in position to threaten.

"It couldn't have gone better," senior tight end/linebacker Gray Brandon said. "We all did good."

Asked how such a dominant team stays motivated, Brandon gave the coaching staff credit.

"They do a great job," he said. "Even during halftime today, they said, 'The job's not finished yet.'"

The Buffs allowed 110 points for the season – 58 coming in a loss to Mancos (Colo.) on Aug. 25.

"Our defense played great all year," Hatley said. "(Assistant coach and Melrose alum) Call Barnard has really made an impact on that side of the ball."

Cardonita scored on a 5-yard run on the Buffs' second possession, and they made it 24-0 on the first play of the second stanza when junior Nolan DeVaney caught a 17-yard TD pass from Josiah Roybal.

Yeary compiled 125 rushing yards on just three attempts, including his shortest – a 7-yard scoring run in the second period. The Buffs needed only 20 plays to do their damage while the Yellowjackets ran 41 plays from scrimmage.