Week 8 of the New Mexico prep football season for Lea County teams saw three teams get blanked while Tatum rebounded from its loss to Gateway with a big homecoming win.
– Hobbs was coming off a win over Lovington in a Lea County matchup and was hoping to use that momentum heading into its contest against Cleveland. Instead, the Eagles came out flat and were beaten 42-0 by the Storm with all 42 points coming in the first half. Hobbs is backed up against it now, having to beat Carlsbad (at home this week) and Clovis (on the road two weeks from Friday) in district to qualify for state – two games the Eagles will be underdogs in. More than anything (and something I mentioned in my Sunday column), Hobbs has to start overcoming adversity and not take a step back if it gets punched in the mouth. Starting to do this is something that can transition into next season. Also, it could be a stamp these seniors can put on the program – knowing they helped move this program in the right direction (even if it is just slightly) after 30 years of struggles.
– While Hobbs' shutout loss saw little to take away from it, Lovington lost to arguably the best team in the state in Goddard 28-0. The Wildcats, who had just lost to Hobbs (a team that lost to the Rockets 54-0) trailed just 14-0 to Goddard heading into the fourth quarter with one of those scores coming on the opening kickoff return. The defense looked good, but the offense still is struggling. During this week's bye for the Wildcats host Portales next week, Lovington needs to find an offensive identity and stick with it. I would think it would start with running the ball with running back Justin Bromley and fullback Cesar Trevizo. The three-time defending Class 3A champs have found a way to get it done over the years, so I'm not counting them out just yet despite being 2-5.
– Jal suffered its third straight loss with a 47-0 defeat to Hagerman. The Panthers are now 2-6 on the season with just one game left in two weeks against Fort Sumner at home. With 10 teams in 1A and the Panthers with wins over Mescalero Apache and Capitan – Jal is on the bubble at best when it comes to the six-team Class 1A state playoffs. A good showing against Fort Sumner will go a long way.
– Tatum bounced back from a Monday 36-12 loss to Gateway Christian (a game canceled last Friday and wasn't going to be played until the NMAA said it had to be) with a 54-32 win over Melrose in its final home game of the season Friday. The Coyotes got 159 yards rushing and 57 yards passing from sophomore Jaden Kirkpatrick while filling in for injured quarterback Seth Slover. At 6-1, Tatum is looking at a No. 2 seed but still has two road games left with Carrizozo (which is 7-1) on Friday and Floyd (1-6) on Nov. 3.
