St. Michael’s solid choice

St. Michael’s solid choice over outmanned, visiting Santa Fe Indian School Saturday afternoon, while West Las Vegas and Robertson clashing at the Cardinals’ field, with WLV in the underdog role

At noon in 2-5A, Capital plays at Albuquerque Academy

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

A half-hour before St. Michael’s takes the field at the Christian Brothers Athletic Complex Saturday afternoon as the overwhelming favorite over Santa Fe Indian School, West Las Vegas kicks off at Meadow City cross town rival Robertson, and if past meetings are any indication, the Dons, too, are underdogs.

In a dozen clashes since 2004, Robertson has completely dominated, losing only once (27-18 in 2008). The others have been matchups, as in 49-6 last year, and 51-0, 41-0, 53-0, 40-0 and 53-0. Fortunately for WLV, in 2009 the teams did not play each other. Oh, and in 2006. it was only 42-26.

Then, after the Dons finally won in 2008, the routs prior to this were to the tune of 32-0, 72-0, 65-0, and in 2004, it was only 32-22.

It was visiting Michael’s that handed the 7-1 Cardinals their lone loss via a second-half comeback that stunned the home crowd. The Dons have lost to Moriarty and Portales, which have lost once each, the Pintos at Capital and the Rams at St. Michaels.

The three frontrunners have all turned back fourth-place Taos, while Bernalillo and Pojoaque Valley are at the bottom of the standings.

Now the question is, do the Dons have a chance across town? They are 6-2 overall and 4-0 in district, tied with the Horsemen, with Robertson at 3-1. The Dons are ranked sixth in the 4A standings, the Cardinals are fourth, and St. Michael’s second behind Moriarty.

Robertson hasn’t played since the defeat two weeks ago against St. Michael’s. West Last Vegas is home next week versus the Horsemen, and its wins have come over the likes of Pojoaque, Santa Fe Indian School, Taos and Bernalillo, four teams with an overall record of 12-21.

So despite the Dons ahead of the Cards in district, they are still in the role of underdogs, especially on the road. They have had but one winning record, that coming at 6-4 in 2008 under then head coach Mike Maldonado, who returned this season, and it was he who was in the same role in that one year that WLV turned back Robertson.

Meanwhile, St. Michael’s, at 7-1 overall with five straight wins, shouldn’t have much of a problem with the Braves, who began the campaign with four wins in a row and has since dropped their last five. This contest has been moved to 2:30 instead of usual time of 1:30 because of ACT tests earlier in the day.

At 2, it will be West Las Vegas-Roberston.

In 2-5A play at noon at Albuquerque Academy, Capital High takes a 4-4 overall mark and 2-0 district record as it is in the driver’s seat in district and with an automatic berth in the state tournament. It winds up the regular-season at home to Los Alamos the following Friday night.