Nov. Madness: Cleveland, St. Michael’s advance to title games
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Volcano Vista is probably elated they don’t have to deal with Cleveland running back Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM anymore. In two games against the Hawks this season, Perry rushed…
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Continue ReadingVolcano Vista is probably elated they don’t have to deal with Cleveland running back Josh Perry Josh Perry 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2023 State NM anymore.
In two games against the Hawks this season, Perry rushed for 541 yards and 10 touchdowns. He saved his best for last, rushing for a season high 291 yards and 5 TD on 27 carries as Cleveland advanced to the Class 6A championship game for the fourth straight full season (2018-2019-2021-2022) with a 47-24 victory over the Hawks Friday night at chilly Community Stadium.
The Storm will face La Cueva or Centennial in next Saturday’s title game as they try for the three-peat. If La Cueva wins today’s semifinal matchup at Field of Dreams, the Bears will host Cleveland at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque.
If Centennial wins, the Hawks will travel to Rio Rancho to face the Storm at Thunderbolts Stadium. Either way, kickoff will be at 1 p.m.
Cleveland amassed 578 yards of total offense, 435 rushing. The Storm had 278 rushing yards in the second half alone. Perry scored on runs of 53, 38, 23, 6 and 7 yards.
Volcano Vista led, 17-13, at halftime but the Storm surge began in the decisive third quarter when Cleveland scored 21 unanswered points. Cleveland took the lead for good (20-17) on Perry’s 7-yard TD run midway through the 3rd quarter. After CB Andres Aguirre Andres Aguirre 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Cleveland | 2024 State NM intercepted a pass for the second time in the game, Perry scored from 6 yards out.
After the Cleveland defense made another stop, Perry raced 53 yards up the middle for a 534-yard TD gallop to give the Storm a 34-17 lead after three quarters. Cleveland added two more TD by Perry and Evan Wysong Evan Wysong 5'10" | 165 lbs | QB Cleveland | 2023 State NM in the 4th quarter for a 47-17 lead.
ST. MICHAEL’S ADVANCES TO 3A TITLE GAME: Two of the best defenses in Class 3A clashed Friday in Socorro, and the final score reflected that fact. St. Michael’s, which lost to Robertson in last year’s 3A championship game, scored a TD with about two minutes remaining as the Horsemen beat No. 1 seed Socorro, 14-6, on the Warriors’ home field. St. Michael’s faces Raton or Ruidoso in next Saturday’s 3A championship game. Where the contest will be played depends on who wins Saturday’s second semifinal between the Tigers and Warriors in Raton.
St. Michael’s Creed Chavez caught 8 passes and rushed for 96 yards on just 2 carries. RB Marcus Leyba scored the game-winning TD on a 2-yard run. Taven Lozada Taven Lozada 6'4" | 220 lbs | TE St. Michael's | 2023 State NM scored the 2-point conversion, forcing Socorro into having to score a TD and 2-ptr just to force OT. But Socorro QB Marcus Armijo Marcus Armijo 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Socorro | 2023 State NM was hit hard and fumbled on Socorro‘s 2nd play of the desperation must-score drive. St. Michel’s recovered. St. Michael’ lst won a state title in 2012.
JAL WINS 2A TITLE: Jal has been the top team in Class 2A throughout the season and Friday night they put the exclamation point on a perfect 13-0 season with a 41-21 victory at Texico.