Cats, Rams slated to begin home schedules

FARMINGTON – The Farmington Scorpions were certainly rude hosts in Stan Hodges’ first game as Clovis High’s football coach.

In a contest moved back from Friday night due to inclement weather and lightning, the Wildcats marched the opening kickoff downfield for a score and a quick 8-0 advantage.

It was all downhill after that, though, as Farmington cruised to a 47-8 victory.

“They had a lot of good players,” Hodges said after the game. “They played hard and they played well. They just executed more than we did.”

It doesn’t figure to get any easier for the Cats the next couple of weeks. They will be at home on Friday to face Rio Rancho, a 54-15 winner over Atrisco Heritage on Friday, before hosting the Rams’ crosstown rival, defending Class 6A state runnerup Cleveland, on Sept. 6.

Junior running back John Royal capped the opening drive against Farmington with an eight-yard run and a 2-point conversion run before the Scorps took control. They tallied a pair of touchdowns in each of the first three quarters to blow it wide open.

Hodges said there were a few highlights, including a fourth-quarter interception by senior defensive back Kyrese Phillips.

“I thought our offensive line played really well,” Hodges said. “(Sophomore quarterback) Javier Jimenez had a good game.”

He said the Cats were in the red zone “at least three (other) times,” but simply unable to cash in.

“I think we had maybe 300 yards rushing,” Hodges added. “We moved the ball pretty well; we just couldn’t get it in the end zone.”

Farmington Is potentially a top-5 team in 6A this season. With Rio Rancho and Cleveland, it’s often “state championship or bust.”

“That’s what we want,” Hodges said. “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to play the best.

“This is just Game 1. You’ve got to take it one game at a time.”

Rams host Lovington – Portales High will also be at home on Friday to face longtime rival Lovington in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Greyhound Stadium.

While the Rams were posting a 22-16 victory on Friday at Roswell Goddard, defending Class 4A champion Lovington – which is in Class 5A this season – earned a 31-22 triumph at Lea County rival Hobbs after jumping out to a 17-0 advantage.

Last season, the Wildcats defeated the Rams 29-21 in the regular-season finale at home, then cruised past Espanola Valley and Silver before topping PHS 57-21 in the 4A state finals at Greyhound Stadium.