Sights and Sounds: Championship Saturday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four state championship games were played Saturday simultaneously (almost; snow removal delays) in Rio Rancho, Artesia, Portales and Santa Fe. We were at the Class 6A title clash between La Cueva and Cleveland at Lightning Bolt Stadium in Rio Rancho and captured extensive video of the Bears' 35-14 victory over the Storm, becoming the first team other than Cleveland to win the 6A championship since 2018. The Bears dominated in every phase, rushing for three long touchdowns in the victory, two by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'] and one by RB Cheeto Lumbrera III. Dyer also threw a championship-clinching TD pass with about 3 minutes remaining. The La Cueva defense kept Cleveland scoreless in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 1: La Cueva at Cleveland (Team Runouts + Coin Toss)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/G9PhDDS0juE?si=Dz5rhGKIgbj3HlpP","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/G9PhDDS0juE?si=Dz5rhGKIgbj3HlpP </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 2 (First Quarter - Cleveland TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/6LeS59gBH6s?si=akpjItG2ac556Nc2","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/6LeS59gBH6s?si=akpjItG2ac556Nc2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 3 (Late First Quarter Action - La Cueva Driving)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/ObBxtg5jW2I?si=gfGhSEB8qgdVwaTu","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/ObBxtg5jW2I?si=gfGhSEB8qgdVwaTu </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 4 (Second Quarter - First Long TD Run By [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/JmXuakC2Ltk?si=daFcuQALK6Svy7Iw","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/JmXuakC2Ltk?si=daFcuQALK6Svy7Iw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 5 (Second Quarter - [player_tooltip player_id='611098' first='Cameron' last='Dyer']'s 2nd Long TD Run) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/Nvbpl1Vn7yA?si=0RijSBRhdeVX4_re","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/Nvbpl1Vn7yA?si=0RijSBRhdeVX4_re </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 6 (Second Quarter - Cleveland's Second TD) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/3wm8nRroat8?si=dXCLVRBHxVRwm14H","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/3wm8nRroat8?si=dXCLVRBHxVRwm14H </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 7: (Final Minutes of Second Quarter)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/1SGhzkVtPd8?si=TKsJ_1mnpAJQLXti","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/1SGhzkVtPd8?si=TKsJ_1mnpAJQLXti </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 8 (Third Quarter - Cheeto Lumbrera's Long TD Run)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/CcdtriLoszg?si=6_wBbpv_svQprIJR","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/CcdtriLoszg?si=6_wBbpv_svQprIJR </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 9 (Second Half)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/dj4MISMkOhw?si=W4JKI9fs7UEC7AcT","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/dj4MISMkOhw?si=W4JKI9fs7UEC7AcT </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 10 (Second Half)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/ztExf4ivUko?si=lW2avtRFbibUveG2","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/ztExf4ivUko?si=lW2avtRFbibUveG2 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1728552484539642017?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1728552484539642017?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 5A: Artesia 35, Roswell 21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six weeks after losing to Roswell at the Wool Bowl, Artesia turned the tables with a 35-21 victory in the Class 5A championship game Saturday at the Bulldog Bowl. Artesia took the lead for good late in the 2nd quarter at 14-6 when QB [player_tooltip player_id='590681' first='Nye' last='Estrada'] connected with WR [player_tooltip player_id='1118257' first='Ethan' last='Conn'] for a 45-yard TD and Franke Galindo ran in the 2-point conversion. Just over two minutes later, Estrada hit WR Juan Diego Duran for a 91-yard TD and a 21-7 halftime lead. Each team scored in the 3rd quarter. Artesia clinched its 32nd state championship midway through the 4th quarter when Estrada threw a 29-yard TD pass to Duran. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728549981504852164?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728549981504852164?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/1728563151413903373?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/artesiafootball/status/1728563151413903373?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ArtesiaSports/status/1728573147572846960?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ArtesiaSports/status/1728573147572846960?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728627682055983334?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728627682055983334?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 4A: Lovington 57, Portales 21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the most lopsided game of the day, Lovington's offense roared as the Wildcats trounced Portales at Greyhound Stadium. The Lovington coaches apparently found a weakness in the stout Portales defense and exploited it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/g8I_Wz61PM0?si=jR697LTMmqAUNR1o","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/g8I_Wz61PM0?si=jR697LTMmqAUNR1o </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728512630036246711?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728512630036246711?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728541503155569037?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728541503155569037?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728538417854878142?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728538417854878142?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728516698989638051?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728516698989638051?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728510000493211738?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728510000493211738?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728519638706008174?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/pchristy11/status/1728519638706008174?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS 3A: St. Michael's 21, Robertson 16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael's was making its third straight appearance in the Class 3A state championship game but seeking its first title since 2012. The Horsemen scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat rival Robertson, 21-16, at Ivan Head Stadium in Santa Fe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728630496635335023?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728630496635335023?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728553905553027547?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1728553905553027547?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728551880476045513?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728551880476045513?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728548155900428551?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728548155900428551?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728543526793953759?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728543526793953759?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728524736370708747?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728524736370708747?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728517886539698497?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1728517886539698497?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->