By Don Eskins
With two games remaining on their 2024 schedule, Carlsbad High’s Cavemen football team will begin their final push for a seat in this year’s state playoffs on Friday, October 25, in the City of Crosses against the Las Cruces Bulldawgs.
The Bulldawgs, recognized as one of the most potent prep gridiron teams in New Mexico, promise to be more than just another test for the Cavemen. The Dawgs will take the field as the fifth-ranked team in the state, barring all classifications.
At 6-2 on the year and 4-0 in conference play, the Dawgs 2024 resume says they’ll be a handful for CHS on Friday night. Las Cruces has beaten Mayfield 50-7, Rio Rancho 34-21, Hobbs 44-14, Organ Mt. 55-7, Clovis 55-3, and Alamogordo 59-14.
The Bulldawgs’ two losses have come via the fourth-ranked Volcano Vista Hawks, 27-24, and the third-ranked Cleveland Storm, 35-25.
In District 3/6A play, the Dawgs are tied for the conference’s top spot with the second-ranked Las Cruces Centennial Hawks at 4-0. The Cavemen, 4-4 on the year and 2-2 in district, sit in a tie for fourth with the Hobbs Eagles.
Of particular concern for Caveman head coach Cale Sanders should be their opponent’s ability to put points on the scoreboard. Through eight games this season, they’ve averaged 45 points per game.
Calling signals for the Bulldawgs is junior quarterback Gunnar Guardiola. Guardiola has connected on 94 of 147 passes for 1,407 total yards with four interceptions. His favorite target appears to be wide-out Nate Libby. Libby has hauled in five catches for five touchdowns.
However, the Dawg’s biggest threat should be junior running back Daniel Amaro. Amaro has logged 14 total touchdowns so far in 2024, 11 on the ground. He’s averaging 145 rushing yards per game and 46 yards of catches per outing.
Defensively, the Bulldawgs have given up an average of just 13 points per game.
The Cavemen will close out their 2024 regular season schedule on Friday, November 1, against the Hobbs Eagles in Carlsbad.
Cavemen Ready for the Challenge
The Cavemen have worked hard all year in an effort to earn a seat in this year’s state playoffs, and although there have been a few setbacks, they’re still in good shape to get one. A victory over the Bulldawgs would go a long way in helping to secure that goal.
With a split, CHS would still be in the hunt, but earning a spot among those selected for the playoffs would be much more difficult.
A great defensive effort just might be all the Cavemen—who have been scoring 37 points per outing since a 44-7 opening season loss to Artesia—need to get by the Bulldawgs.
Defensively, Carlsbad will be looking for leadership and big games from standout stoppers Diego Ramirez, Colton McKibben, and Simon Rubio.
Offensively, CHS will look to their passing game to put points on the board. Senior quarterback Kason Perez, who has completed 139 of 219 attempts for 1,853 yards and 25 touchdowns, will spearhead that effort.
Heading CHS’s receiving corps has been Robert Castaneda. Castaneda has hauled in 40 catches for 621 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Brock Wright will be expected to handle the bulk of CHS’s running attack. Wright has carried the ball 78 times for 399 yards and five touchdowns.
District 3/6A Standings
Team Dist. Yr. Rank
Centennial 4-0 8-0 2
Las Cruces 4-0 6-2 5
Org. Mt 3-2 4-5 13
Carlsbad 2-2 4-4 14
Hobbs 2-2 4-4 11
Clovis 0-4 0-8 21
Alamo 0-5 1-8 17
This week’s D3/6A Schedule:
Cavemen @ Las Cruces
Centennial @ Clovis
Hobbs vs. Organ Mt.
Alamo Open
Class 6A Top 15, This Week:
1. La Cueva 8-0
2. Centennial 8-0
3. Cleveland 7-1
4. Volcano Vista 7-1
5. Las Cruces 6-2
6. Las Lunas 5-2
7. Rio Rancho 5-3
8. Farmington 4-4
9. Eldorado 5-3
10. Sandia 4-4
11. Hobbs 4-4
12. West Mesa 4-4
13. Organ Mt. 4-5
14. Carlsbad 4-4
15. Piedra Vista 1-7
Note: 12 teams will receive berths in this year’s state tournament. While rank is important, other areas of criteria go toward determining who gets in and at what number of seed.
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