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Kimberly Ryan/Hobbs News-Sun Hobbs' Aderiole Moore rushes against Alamogordo at Watson Stadium. |
Heck, I don't even know what to call this game. I feel like it should have a name. I just made up Battle of Highway 18 ... which, to be honest, doesn't sound that great (maybe it does). Someone really does need to come up with a name. Maybe call it "The Roughneck Rumble" with the trophy being an oil derrick. I don't know, it just needs something.
Anyway, back to the game. This game is a bit puzzling because I really don't know what to expect of Hobbs tonight. The Eagles are coming off a terribly disappointing 50-21 loss to Alamogordo – a team it was ahead of 14-3 and could've beat because there is no way the Tigers were 29 points better than the Eagles. Frustration boiled over and Hobbs, which may or may not be at full strength tonight, needs a win against Lovington to bounce back.
Look for Hobbs to pound the ball on the ground with Aderiole Moore, who looked very good against Alamogordo – rushing for 169 yards and a score on 21 carries. That carries total may go above 30 tonight.
With a game against Class 4A No. 1 Goddard next week (yes, in a span of five weeks Hobbs will have played the top ranked team in Classes 5A, 4A and 3A and the second ranked team in 5A) then district matchups with Carlsbad and Clovis (both ranked in the top 10) the Eagles could use all the momentum it can get with a victory over Lovington, which has won the last two meetings against Hobbs.
As for the Wildcats, they got back on track with a 44-0 win over a struggling West Las Vegas squad last week at Wildcat Stadium. At 3-3, a win over Hobbs for Lovington catapults the Wildcats into district play (after a bye week) on the road against Portales on Oct. 21.
Defensively, the Wildcats have been sharp except for a loss to Fort Stockton a few weeks ago. Offensively is where Lovington will be looking to sure things up. David Robles looked to be getting his feet under him last week in just his third varsity start at quarterback, going 7-for-13 for 162 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while rushing for another 47 yards during its win over West Las Vegas.
You're smarter than me if you know what to expect from tonight's contest because I really have no clue – which makes it a very intriguing watch.
