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| Hobbs' Daniel Cornejo gets ready to tackle Cleveland's Cole Gautsche on Friday in Rio Rancho. |
The Storm were bigger, faster and stronger. Cleveland's defense was suffocating. For the second straight game, Hobbs couldn't get anything going offensively, gaining just 29 yards in the two quarters (the game ended on the third play of the third quarter when Cleveland scored to make it 54-0, forcing the 50-point mercy rule). This comes on the heels of Hobbs gaining just 80 yards during a 40-0 loss to second-ranked Las Cruces High last week.
Hobbs coach Bruce Dollar said it best after the game if you're a Hobbs player or supporter. He told me while his team needs to learn from the mistakes of the last two games, his team can't dwell on the losses.
Hobbs has run into two juggernauts – the two top teams in Class 5A (and arguably in the state, though Goddard may have something to say about that – a team Hobbs faces later this season). If the Eagles sulk and dwell on these last two contests, it can bite them in the rear during a winnable game this upcoming week against Alamogordo.
A win next week against Alamogordo, which is also 2-3 on the season, would go a long way in helping the Eagles' playoff chances down the road.
Yes, Hobbs can still make the playoffs – if it can shake off these losses, regroup and move forward starting at homecoming against the Tigers this Friday at Watson Stadium.
