Camacho’s 3 FGs lead La Cueva

RIO RANCHO — Second-ranked La Cueva found itself in a tougher game than it bargained for Friday night.

A tenacious Rio Rancho defense helped to keep the Bears (5-0) in check, but ultimately, La Cueva, sparked by three Dominic Camacho field goals, was able to run the clock out at the end to preserve a 23-18 victory over the Rams (1-4).

“We played very sloppy and Rio Rancho played very well, and we’re fortunate to come out of there with a victory,” La Cueva coach Brandon Back said.

The Bears slipped and fell on the 1-yard line on the opening kickoff — a sign of how things would go, Back said.

“It went off the rails early,” he said. “And we were flat and we weren’t focused. But I’m proud of the boys for the plays they were able to make down the stretch for the victory.”

In fact, it took four straight incomplete passes from back-up southpaw quarterback Johnathan Miller on the Rams’ final possession before the Bears could run out the clock and pocket the win.

Miller was in after starter Isaiah Chavez was blasted deep in La Cueva territory and fumbled the ball away. Two plays later, Bears QB Dylan Summer had a pass picked off by Tommy Lujan.

On the next play, Miller connected with freshman Zach Vigil on a 7-yard TD pass to trim the Bears’ lead to 20-18. But his pass for a twopoint conversion was intercepted.

amacho capped the Bears’ ensuing possession with a 36-yard field goal, after earlier connecting from 25 and 22 yards.

“He’s consistent; that’s the most important thing,” Back said of Camacho. “We’re confident in his ability.”

D’Andre Williams was again the workhorse for the Bears, as the senior running back went for 121 yards on 22 carries. But except for his 67-yard scamper for a second quarter touchdown, the Rams had him bottled up.

Summer hooked up with Connor O’Toole on a 41-yard scoring pass in the victory. La Cueva faces Albuquerque High next week. The Rams (1-4) are idle next week, and return Oct. 6 against Cibola in a district opener. — Gary Herron MANZANO 33, WEST MESA 17: At Nusenda Community Stadium, senior running back Xavier IveySaud rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns as the Monarchs (2-3) defeated the Mustangs (1-4).

Austin Erickson caught six passes for over 100 yards for Manzano, and Jack Blankenship also had a receiving score in the victory. DEL NORTE 55, HIGHLAND 14: At Milne Stadium, senior quarterback Christian Mejia threw for 200 yards, and Isaiah Cowboy rushed for 185 yards as the Knights (1-4) finally picked up their first win of the season.

CENTENNIAL 35, OÑATE 0: At Aggie Memorial Stadium, quarterback Lance Frost ran for a pair of first-half scores, as the fourthranked Hawks (5-0) remained one of

three undefeated teams in Class 6A, along with Cleveland and La Cueva.

This was a District 3 opener for both teams.

ALSO FRIDAY: Santa Fe held off Bernalillo 17-15 at Ivan Head Stadium in Santa Fe, as the Demons lead from start to finish and dealt the Spartans (4-1) their first loss of the season. … Santa Teresa is the only undefeated team in Class 5A; the Desert Warriors improved to 5-0 on Friday night with a tough 14-7 road victory at Valencia (3-2). … Piedra Vista bounced back from a surprising upset defeat at the hands of Kirtland Central last week with a 30-7 win over visiting Belen in Farmington. … Visiting Mayfield (3-2) edged Carlsbad (2-2-1) 12-7 in a District 3 opener at Ralph Bowyer Stadium in Carlsbad. The Trojans preserved the win with a late defensive stand. … Moriarty had one of its best offensive games of the season as the Pintos rolled over Capital, 38-12. … Sandia (2-3) downed Rio Grande (1-4) 33-21 at Wilson Stadium on Friday night.

TODAY: Hope Christian (4-0), unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in Class 3A, plays host to 4A’s Bloomfield at noon at Milne Stadium. … Los Lunas and Cibola, a pair of 3-1 teams, square off at 1 p.m. at Community Stadium. … Week 5 ends with a 5 p.m. contest at Milne between a pair of ranked 4A programs, Portales and St. Pius (1-2).