Santa Fe Indian School switches its Friday night home game for a visit to Cuba

Braves Field had flooding damage and a mess of quagmire following the heavy rainfall, thus the field and area around it had to be repaired for Thursday’s game

By Arnie Leshin 

Who knows what the final result would have been if Santa Fe Indian School had stayed home for its Friday night annual opener against Cuba.

But with the football field and areas around it drenched by the recent rainfall that brought floods, the Braves had no choice but to head instead for Cuba so that the ground crew could repair the damage in order to have the field ready for Thursday night’s visit from Pojoaque Valley.

But the Rams were well prepared after losing 7-straight times to Indian School and being outscored 196-39 during that span. So last night’s lately arranged visit from the Braves brought a 25-16 win for Cuba and its fans.

The last time Indian School lost to Cuba was also on the road, 30-20, in 2011. The following year, the Braves were home to dismantle Cuba, 44-0.

This time, Cuba quickly seized the lead. It was not long after the opening kickoff that Chris Cavazas hooked up with Adam Segura for a 15-yard touchdown. The point-after was good and it was 7-0.

Back came Indian School in the second quarter. Anders Pecos ran in it from the 5, and the two-point conversation pass was good and the Braves went on top 8-7.

But it didn’t take long for the home crowd to rejoice again. Back-to-back TDs, one on a 50-yard pass play from Segura to Kyonee Arellano, the other on Cavazas and Arellano connecting for a 65-yard pass play. Both PATs failed, but now the Rams led 19-6. In the third quarter, the margin increased to 25-8 on a 5-yard touchdown run by Segura. Again the extra point wasn’t successful.

The Braves scored the final TD in the last quarter. It came on a Pecos 11-yard rushing play and the two-pointer ended the scoring and made for a disappointing ride home for Indian School.