Cleveland High School’s varsity football team took home the 6A state title after defeating La Cueva 75-61 on Saturday.
Both teams were on a nonstop hunt for touchdowns, getting into the end zone any way they could. The Storm held on to an early 21-20 lead after the Bears missed the extra point with 10:32 to go in the second quarter. Cleveland then ran it in for another touchdown, giving them an eight-point lead only to see the Bears score back-to-back TDs right before halftime. The teams went into the locker room with the Bears up 34-28.
Bears come back to score two TDs right before halftime. La Cueva 34 Cleveland 28. pic.twitter.com/zCiMBNVvFy
— Scott Albright (@ScottMAlbright) November 26, 2022
The second half didn’t disappoint as both teams kept their eyes on the prize. Multiple TDs on both sides of the field brought the game to a 41-41 tie before Cleveland finally got ahead by seven with 2:13 left in the third quarter. The Storm started to run away in the fourth quarter, getting another TD to bring the score to 55-41 with 11:49 to go before capitalizing on an interception and running into the end zone to take a 62-41 lead.
The Bears didn’t give up, rushing the ball into the end zone for another TD with 5:04 left in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 62-48. The game looked like it was over with about two minutes left in the game after Cleveland brought it home for the visitors, giving them a 68-48 lead and then another quick touchdown to make it 75-48.
I think it’s safe to say the Cleveland Storm are the 2022 New Mexico 6A state football champs. 68-48 with 2:03 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/AmmdQcwskD
— Scott Albright (@ScottMAlbright) November 26, 2022
It wasn’t over though. The Bears dug deep and played to the very end, collecting an onside kick and scoring two more touchdowns before Cleveland claimed victory with a final score of 75-61.
The game was the highest scoring 11-man championship football game in state history and makes Cleveland a three-time 6A state title holder. Cleveland beat Rio Rancho in 2019 and 2021 in the state finals and lost to La Cueva in 2018. No game was played in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The visitors went home victorious from Wilson Stadium, but it was not the outcome the home side was hoping for. Mayor Tim Keller, who was watching from the sidelines, said he is a La Cueva fan. Despite the loss for the Bears, the metro rivalry brought out a lot of fans in support of the young athletes and high school football, something the mayor said is good for New Mexico.
“We’re out here, you know, at the state championships. I’m a little biased for APS. Gotta go of course for La Cueva, but great to have this right in the metro,” Keller said. “So, it’s become an awesome metro rivalry. The stands are packed. It’s an exciting day. Good for our state.”
