Sights and Sounds: Week 7 (Video and Recaps)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ALBUQUERQUE</strong> – Week 7 has concluded with exciting action throughout the state Friday night and Saturday afternoon. We have the recaps and extensive video from two matchups: Rio Rancho-Cibola in a District 6A-1 tussle Friday night at Community Stadium and St. Michael's-Hope Christian in a District 3A-2 battle Saturday at Wilson Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rio Rancho 25, Cibola 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both offenses awoke in the second half, most notably Rio Rancho (3-3), as the Rams snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Cibola (4-2) in the District 6A-1 opener for both teams. Rio Rancho lost to Las Cruces, Centennial and El Paso (TX) Eastlake and hadn't won since Week 2 over Clovis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first half was dominated by the defenses. Each team kicked a second quarter field goal and headed to intermission tied, 3-3. Early in the third quarter, the Rio Rancho defense rose up and stopped Cibola on 4^th-and-1 from the CIB 29.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments later, Rams QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong> threw a 29-yard TD strike to dynamic WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong> with 9:32 left in the 3^rd quarter. The Rams perfectly executed a trick play for the 2-point conversion to give them a lead (11-3) they would never relinquish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Less than 6 minutes later, Cibola scored its first TD of the night on a 21-yard Pick-6 by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1748810' first='Mack' last='Cash']</strong>. But the Cougars missed on the 2-point conversion to trail 11-9, entering the 4^th quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266408' first='Parker' last='Miller']</strong>, who runs the 40 in under 4.5 seconds and holds multiple college offers (two are New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico) , came up with another big scoring play early in the fourth quarter when he managed to get his feet down in the far right corner of the end zone before tumbling out of bounds after a fantastic diving catch. Miller's second TD&nbsp; catch of the night gave the Rams an 18-9 lead with 10:05 left.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604705' first='Micah' last='Takahashi']</strong> showed off his elite speed midway through the fourth quarter – and sealed the Rams win in the process - when he found a running lane through the right side, exploded through the gap and outran the Cibola defense for a 96-yard TD scamper to push Rio Rancho's lead to 25-9. Cibola responded with a 9-yard TD run by UNM Commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='854199' first='Hayes' last='Baum']</strong> with 3:36 left, but the Cougars failed on the 2-point attempt to keep the deficit at two scores. Cibola didn't score again and saw its 4-game winning streak end. The Cougars face Cleveland in Week 8.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 1: First Quarter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/oOeKxSVmTpg?si=cDRDufNnA9CQQQJ8","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/oOeKxSVmTpg?si=cDRDufNnA9CQQQJ8 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 2: Second Quarter (Two Field Goals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/kqWil1irQjQ?si=XxwHlUj7MzVl7F2J","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/kqWil1irQjQ?si=XxwHlUj7MzVl7F2J </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 3: Early Third Quarter (Rio Rancho TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/QC-2SAR7bao?si=vvvhvfMQVTHh7rs7","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/QC-2SAR7bao?si=vvvhvfMQVTHh7rs7 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 4: Mid Third Quarter (Rio Rancho INT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/VUPLBLcGdAE?si=Otw7ZmTZ0b-z3rIW","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/VUPLBLcGdAE?si=Otw7ZmTZ0b-z3rIW </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 5: Third Quarter (Rio Rancho Possession)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/2Idh1nvPA9M?si=MTKTy72i4H8LMNZ7","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/2Idh1nvPA9M?si=MTKTy72i4H8LMNZ7 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 6: Fourth Quarter (Rio Rancho TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/VJKEiKffmbc?si=7_N6wI276LtOHCIw","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/VJKEiKffmbc?si=7_N6wI276LtOHCIw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>VIDEO 7: Fourth Quarter (Rio Rancho TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/OxE5TantB_4?si=lmFe4yfi6Hlo3wu3","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/OxE5TantB_4?si=lmFe4yfi6Hlo3wu3 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Michel's 47, Hope Christian 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Michael's improved to 7-0 and won its 27^th straight game – the sixth longest winning streak in state history – by routing Hope Christian in a key District 3A-2 matchup Saturday at Wilson Stadium. The scary part? St. Michael's is battling a rash of injuries at numerous positions and don't have their full arsenal of players available.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Horsemen led, 27-0, after the first quarter and extended the advantage to 40-0 at halftime, assuring a running clock in the second half. St. Michael's dynamic QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600843' first='Kamal' last='Stith']</strong> had a first half for the ages: 242 yards and 5 TD passes + 50 yards rushing. The powerful St. Michael's offense overwhelmed the Hope Christian defense in the first half, scoring seven touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Athletic TE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155019' first='Ryan' last='Hunt']</strong>, also a standout hoops player for St. Michael's, caught three TD passes in the first half from 24, 39 and 20 yards. Meanwhile, the Horsemen defense held Hope Christian to less than 75 yards of total offense in the opening 24 minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The good news for Class 3A? St. Michael's has a bye in Week 8. They've won all seven of their games this season by 26 or more points, four by 39+ points. They conclude the regular season with a road game at West Las Vegas (10/17) and home games against Pojoaque Valley (10/25) and Robertson (11/1). Win those games and they'll undoubtedly be the No. 1 seed for the Class 3A playoffs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Video 1: First Quarter (Two St. Michael's TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/exWoHsV7lew?si=ZbU5iq26etMPkL-n","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/exWoHsV7lew?si=ZbU5iq26etMPkL-n </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Video 2: First Quarter (Two St. Michael's TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/F-CopnhCThw?si=QD6wJdW0VIM4Yc6Z","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/F-CopnhCThw?si=QD6wJdW0VIM4Yc6Z </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Video 3: Second Quarter (St. Michael's TD)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/ebesOwOLUC4?si=Uhf6fkMuMZHZ3VJj","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/ebesOwOLUC4?si=Uhf6fkMuMZHZ3VJj </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FOOTBALL: Pojoaque pulled off one of their biggest wins in school history Friday night. the Elks beat Robertson 32-31 in OT on a two-point conversion by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1248677' first='Joshua' last='Gonzales']. It's their first win over the Cardinals in their 30 years of football. (courtesy NFHS network) <a href="https://t.co/fkRfeZDTGy">pic.twitter.com/fkRfeZDTGy</a></p>&mdash; NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1974496577172746364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FOOTBALL: Artesia quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1672571' first='Derrick' last='Warren'] threw four touchdowns and the Bulldogs scored twice on special teams in a 58-0 win over Santa Teresa. The Bulldogs have a bye before their state championship rematch with Roswell on the 17th. (courtesy KSVP) <a href="https://twitter.com/artesiafootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@artesiafootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/dhBt5ALZ09">pic.twitter.com/dhBt5ALZ09</a></p>&mdash; NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1974497388015583469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FOOTBALL: Los Alamos running back [player_tooltip player_id='1604744' first='Jordan' last='Herrera'] had four touchdowns on Friday night in a 43-36 win over Belen. The Hilltoppers remain unbeaten and have a bye. Here are highlights (courtesy NFHS network) <a href="https://t.co/7aPpfLaMjK">pic.twitter.com/7aPpfLaMjK</a></p>&mdash; NMAA (@_NMAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/_NMAA/status/1974502494320624098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/N51BZSV4xh">https://t.co/N51BZSV4xh</a> <a href="https://t.co/0evHrUmNMj">pic.twitter.com/0evHrUmNMj</a></p>&mdash; Bulldawg Football (@LCHSFOOTBALL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LCHSFOOTBALL/status/1974318039593333036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is how Pojoaque beat Robertson 32-31, for the first win in program history over the Cardinals. <a href="https://t.co/zXSgg7kAYj">pic.twitter.com/zXSgg7kAYj</a></p>&mdash; New Mexican Sports (@sfnmsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1974321613974933505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bears win!! Congratulations to Coach Back on his 100th career win. <a href="https://t.co/EKrr65Zsxj">pic.twitter.com/EKrr65Zsxj</a></p>&mdash; Melanie Tapia (@LCHS_MTapia) <a href="https://twitter.com/LCHS_MTapia/status/1974319440683807158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thursday Throwdown: Battle Of The Vistas (Recap/Video)<a href="https://twitter.com/IsmaelMendezIII?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsmaelMendezIII</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amasi_griego223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amasi_griego223</a> <br><br>Click to view the article!<a href="https://t.co/8IR2i6TkNq">https://t.co/8IR2i6TkNq</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1974458714326499408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ro" dir="ltr">Week 7 Scoreboard: Sat. 10/4 (Complete) <br><br>Albuquerque Academy 49, St. Pius X 36 <br>Los Lunas 38, Albuquerque High 24 <br>Carlsbad 35, Organ Mountain 7 <br>St. Michael&#039;s 47, Hope Christian 8 <br>West Mesa 55, Atrisco Heritage 14</p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1974673691511607363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final: Rio Rancho 25, Cibola 15.<br><br>Rams win a hard-hitting, penalty filled game. Offenses sprung to life in 2H. Both defenses played well. <a href="https://t.co/IZyu01iIag">pic.twitter.com/IZyu01iIag</a></p>&mdash; Prep Redzone New Mexico (@PrepRedzoneNM) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneNM/status/1974316786754724338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pojoaque takes a 24-21 lead into the halftime locker room. This is the Robertson sidelines, to show how depleted it is. <a href="https://t.co/34KeKAGqtg">pic.twitter.com/34KeKAGqtg</a></p>&mdash; New Mexican Sports (@sfnmsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfnmsports/status/1974296625314214219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html -->