New Mexico football scored an incredible week

It’s been a red-letter week for New Mexico football at all levels.

Brian Urlacher, among the most celebrated athletes in University of New Mexico history, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night and is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame after his stellar 13-year career with the Chicago Bears.

The Lovington High School grad was a Lobo from 1996-99 under coach Rocky Long. He’s the first UNM player to be inducted into the college hall, and New Mexico has high hopes for its native son in the upcoming Pro Hall inductions.

The New Mexico State University Aggies ended a nearly six-decade bowl drought with Sunday’s invitation to face Utah State on Dec. 29 in the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl in Tucson. The Aggies’ last bowl appearance was in the 1960 Sun Bowl, when they beat Utah State 20-13; it should be a great re-match. The Aggies won their sixth game of the season Saturday, besting South Alabama 22-17 and making them bowl eligible.

Congrats to head football coach Doug Martin and his Aggies.

In Albuquerque, Manzano High School won its firstever Class 6A championship Saturday by beating the second-seeded La Cueva Bears 14-7 and ending the season with a perfect record. The overflow crowd at Wilson Stadium was treated to a dramatic state final that finally made the Monarchs true prep football royalty. It was the first championship for Manzano since it opened in 1960, and the first time two Albuquerque teams have met in the championship game.

Congratulations to coach Chad Adcox and his Monarchs.