ST. MICHAEL’S at SOCORRO STATE FOOTBALL

In the regular season schedules of top-seeded 3A Socorro and 2nd-seeded visiting St. Michael’s, there’s one advantage that the Warriors own, and that’s home field.

Otherwise, the schedules could make the Horsemen about a 2-touchdown pick. Their lone loss was at home, 28-20, to district rival Robertson, their toughest test was a 28-24 win at crosstown rival Capital. Yes, the Warriors posted seven shutouts, St. Michael’s three, and while Socorro had a first-round bye, The Horsemen pounded visiting Thoreau, 50-0, in their opener at home.

Plus, the Warriors won up at Raton, 27-14, but the Tigers were without their star running back Danyon Walton, but he was playing when St. Michael’s won up in Raton, 28-21. Socorro opened with huge shutouts home and away against Pojoaque Valley and Santa Fe Indian School. But the Horsemen got a first-game visit from Taos, and won 20-8, and Taos hasn’t lost since. They also won at Aztec, 32-19, whereas the Warriors didn’t have any toughies on the road.

Socorro is one of those family-connected rosters, head coach Damien Ocampo’s sophomore son, Isaih, is the back-up quarterback, assistant coach Jason Cody Lee has an up-and-coming freshman son, Jay, as a rising wide receiver and cornerback. The leading running back, Brian Armijo, is a senior who also starts at middle linebacker.

The Horsemen have a dozen seniors, 11 juniors, nine sophomores and 15 freshmen. The Warriors’ roster has 13 seniors, 16 juniors, a dozen sophomores and 13 freshmen. Head coach Joey Fernandez, now in his 20th season as head coach at his alma mater, comes off of three straight home games, and Socorro has played its three of four tilts at home, and that includes back-to-back games versus Cobre, the last one a 21-14 victory.

If you’re a Michigan fan, blue, white and red are Socorro’s home address at 1200 Michigan Avenue, and it is ranked 26th overall in the state. St. Michael’s home residence is 100 Siringo Road, and its ranked 24th in the state.

The Horsemen are led on offense by senior quarterback Zach Martinez and senior running back Marcus Leyba. The leading receivers are seniors Creed Chavez and Gage Bass.

Time is now shorter for this anticipated clash down I-25 South, but a good turnout is expected.

At Capital                                W 28-24

(H) Santa Fe High                   W 47-0