State Football Championships Kick Off Saturday Afternoon

State football championships kick off Saturday afternoon, with Manzano, Belen and Eunice hoping to finish undefeated and the Mustangs and Eagles in quest of their first state grid titles

Manzano has to get past La Cueva in 6A, Belen has to top Artestia in 5A, Eunice has Capitan to beat in 3A, while in 4A its Robertson favored at home against Ruidoso

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

Goodbye fall, welcome winter.

While the annual Al Armendariz girls and boys basketball tournament tip off today at Capital High, the annual state football championships kick off Saturday afternoon as the season ends.

It’s 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A that will take the field, with the first and second seeds clashing in 3A, 5A and 6A, and in 4A, its No.3 against No. 4. So let’s start there, where the opening kickoff Las Vegas Robertson is scheduled for 1:30 while the other three have chosen 1 o’clock.

Leshin’s Selections will also conclude after picks made in the opening round, the quarterfinals, and the semifinals. Only six were incorrect, not bad for what is actually a guessing game attached to some research. Three teams have a chance to conclude with an unblemished record — 6A Albuquerque Manzano, 5A Belen, and 3A Eunice.

4A: (4) Ruidoso (9-3) at (3) Robertson (11-1). The home team gets the nod here for several reasons, and one is the support that the Cardinals will get in

the finale for the seniors, and especially do-it-all quarterback Arjay Ortiz, plus they have also lost in the last two title games and that’s clearly on their minds. The Warriors have played the tougher schedule, but have not been consistent and have already lost at Robertson this season.

Robertson 28, Ruidoso 14.

3 A: (2) Capitan (11-1) at (1) Eunice (12-0). You can say that these Cardinals are on a mission. They have won 11 state championships, but it’s been 17 years since their last one in 2000. The Tigers have hoisted the blue trophy three times and last season was one of them. So they have that experience, but Eunice has the important home field advantage and routed the Cards, 42-0, during the regular season as both play out of District 3. Capitan would like to avenge that defeat while Eunice would like to dethrone it and end its own draught.

Eunice 33, Capitan 13.

5. A: (2) Belen (12-0) at (1) Artesia (10-1). Right away you have to take a look at the huge advantage the Bulldogs will have playing at home. They have won a state-best 28 ½ championships and are extra tough before the home fans that pack the place. These two haven’t met this season, the Eagles have not lost, but it might take an epic effort to keep Artesia from another title. Oh, and Belen has never won any, so for sure it will be in quest of one.

Artesia 31, Belen 20.

6, A: (2) La Cueva (11-1) at (1) Manzano (12-0). The Mustangs have been close, have been in championship games, but have never won it all. The Bears own four state titles. They lost 28-21 to their District 2 rivals back on Dec. 6, but Manzano led 21-0 at the half. The Mustangs will be the home team at Albuquerque’s Wilson Stadium. They feature a passing game, a running game, and a stout defense. La Cueva brings the same, but still falls short here.

Manzano 23, La Cueva 14.

That’s it, the weather forecast for Saturday calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 50s in Albuquerque, in Las Vegas, in Artesia, and in Eunice. These selections are for the fun of the game so don’t bet your casa on them.