FALL FOR SPORTS
Read football and soccer coverage by columnist James Yodice
Gabriel Ramirez’s first game as West Mesa High School’s new varsity quarterback was a smashing success.
Ramirez rushed for 149 yards and two touchdowns, and he also threw a pair of TD passes to Camren Schroer as the Mustangs beat Del Norte 34-6 on Thursday night in both teams’ football season opener at Nusenda Community Stadium.
The West Mesa defense forced two Del Norte turnovers with the Knights driving for points, and the Mustangs also capitalized on a missed field goal in the first half by Del Norte.
Schroer caught touchdowns covering 14 and 25 yards.
Another Mustang receiver, Brandon Bouldin, took a screen pass and darted 50 yards for a score for West Mesa. He also intercepted a pass and caused a crucial fumble in the second quarter.
But Bouldin was ejected later in that quarter on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. By rule, he will have to miss West Mesa’s next game, Thursday against St. Pius.
Two additional Rio West schools, Volcano Vista and Valley, collide at 1 this afternoon at Community Stadium.
Late Friday, Rio Rancho played host to Mayfield, Cleveland played host to Oñate, St. Pius met Highland, Bernalillo faced Gallup and Cibola took on La Cueva.
See today’s main sports section of the Journal for more high school football coverage.
Soccer
BOYS: From the Albuquerque Metro Championships, Volcano Vista, led by Zach Lemasters’ three goals this week, is poised to advance to the semifials next week after the Hawks posted victories over Highland and Manzano. Pool play ends for the Hawks today versus Valley.
The Vikings also are 2-0 in that pool, including an overtime win Thursday against Highland. If they beat Volcano Vista, it will be Valley that goes into the semis next Wednesday. Johnny Baros had a hat trick for Valley in a 5-1 win over Manzano.
Rio Rancho could also get into the semifinals if the Rams defeat Albuquerque High today. Rio Rancho has wins this week over Sandia and Del Norte, and the Rams also split a pair of games in Las Cruces last weekend.
Cleveland won a pair of OT games in Las Cruces, and is 1-1 this week, falling to defending 5A state champion Albuquerque Academy and downing Rio Grande 1-0. Cleveland takes on Eldorado today to conclude pool play.
Cibola and West Mesa both are looking for their first wins this season; the two meet today. The Cougars and Mustangs were put into the strongest of the four metro pools, along with La Cueva and Atrisco Heritage.
Bosque School last Saturday reached the finals of the Aztec tournament before losing 2-1 to Piedra Vista. The Bobcats were whipped earlier this week by Los Alamos.
Bernalillo went 1-1-1 in the Aztec event before loss earlier this week to Moriarty.
St. Pius opens Tuesday with a potential state championship game preview matchup against the Hilltoppers.
GIRLS: Cleveland is off to a flying 4-0 start, and has scored 28 goals while surrendering only one so far this season. The Storm has beaten Del Norte (fueled by Corey Kizer’s hat trick) and Eldorado this week at the metro tournament, which ends pool play today with a game against West Mesa.
Rio Rancho (2-1-1) has split games this week at the metros, beating Highland and dropping a 3-0 decision to La Cueva. The Rams face Valley today.
The Vikings, Cibola and Volcano Vista all are 1-1 so far this week at the metro event. Volcano Vista ripped Manzano before losing a tough 1-0 game to Albuquerque High. The Hawks — who got a hat trick from Cierra Ramirez on Tuesday against Manzano — have a high-profile game today against Albuquerque Academy.
Valley opened with a 3-0 loss to La Cueva before downing Highland 1-0. Two-time defending state champion Cibola blew out Atrisco Heritage 12-0 on Monday, but fell 4-2 to Sandia on Wednesday. The Cougars face Rio Grande today.
Rebuilding West Mesa has metro losses this week to Eldorado and Del Norte, the latter a 3-2 setback in overtime.
St. Pius is off to perhaps the most impressive start of any school from the area. The Sartans own a pair of 2-1 victories over two strong teams, Aztec and Sandia Prep, the first coming in OT. Miranda Hart had both St. Pius goals against the Sundevils.
Bosque School already has played five games. The Bobcats went 1-1-1 at the Aztec tournament, and were beaten this week by Los Alamos and Farmington, both 5A powers.
Bernalillo (0-1) is at the Taos tournament this weekend.