NM state football
Round 2 to feature No. 8 'Prep v. No. 1 Santa Rosa
By Sunnie Clahchischiligi
Navajo Times
FRUITLAND, N.M., Nov. 21, 2013
(Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
TOP: Navajo Prep Eagle Marcus Ancira (30) tackles New Mexico Military Instituteís Jose Lira (11) on Saturday during the New Mexico Class 2A football playoff game in Farmington, N.M. The Eagles defeated the Colts, 63-45.
BOTTOM: Navajo Prep Izaac Eredia (24) continues to gain yardage as a New Mexico Military Institute Colt defender tries to take him down on Saturday in Farmington. Navajo Prep will play the Santa Rosa Lions on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
In 2A, No. 8 Navajo Prep will travel to No. 1 Santa Rosa this Saturday for the quarterfinals game at 1:30 p.m.
Navajo Prep defeated No. 9 New Mexico Military Institute, 63-45, last weekend and for the first time in school history advanced to the second round.
Last year the Eagles ended their season in the first round when they lost to Clayton.
Navajo Prep head coach Roderick Denetso said his team is looking forward to playing Santa Rosa, despite the fact that Santa Rosa has the highest seed in their class.
"They're really excited, from the feeling I get they were happy they beat NMMI," he said. "They feel we're one of the best teams in the state. Santa Rosa never faced a team like us, and we've never faced a team like them."
Denetso said against NMMI his team was able to capitalize on early turnovers made by the Colts and because of that they were quick to get on the scoreboard.
"That gave us a lot of confidence --" he said.
Denetso said he and his coaching staff have been working diligently breaking down hours of film and have been preparing the team as much as they can.
He said he's aware of Santa Rosa's advantages but that his team can match the No. 1 team in 2A.
"We know they are going to bring pressure, " he said. "We match up well -- I think they got a lot that they got to handle."
No. 7 Laguna Acoma will also travel to No. 2 Hatch Valley. Laguna Acoma defeated No. 10 Texico, 38-7, last weekend.
LA head coach Roger Cordova was not available for comment by deadline.
The No. 4 Bloomfield Bobcats were given a bye in the first round and will play their first game in two weeks when they host No. 5 Taos this Friday at 7 p.m.
Bloomfield head coach Bruce Hatch said he feels his team his ready for the big game.
"It's one of those things where you get two weeks to prepare for your opponent, which is nice, but they get the benefit of playing a game and getting a win."
Hatch said he's followed Taos for the last two games and has collected film on the team. He said the team is fast and have the size, something they're not used to.
"They are 9-1 right now, we definitely have our work cut out for us," he said.
Last year Bloomfield's season ended in the quarterfinals when Lovington eliminated them. Hatch said his team is more seasoned this year and has a better shot of advancing.
"I hope this time we've learned," he said. "At this point in the playoffs everybody that's playing football is a good team, they all have a legitimate shot of winning it all."
In 4A, No. 2 Farmington is coming off of a bye in the first round. The Scorpions will host No. 7 Valencia on Friday at 7 p.m.
Valencia defeated Farmington's cross-town rivals Piedra Vista last weekend with a close 47-38 victory.
The Scorpions were eliminated in the first round last season when they lost to Moriarty. Farmington head coach Gary Bradley did not return calls made by the Times by deadline.