Football Game Preview: Cloudcroft Bears vs. Menaul Panthers

The Cloudcroft Bears are taking a road trip to square off against the Menaul Panthers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Cloudcroft has given up an average of 50.2 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Cloudcroft's offense might be in the hot seat on Friday considering what happened against Fort Sumner/House on Friday. They were dealt a 52-0 defeat at the hands of Fort Sumner/House. While losing is never fun, the Bears can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New Mexico football rankings (they are ranked 27th, while Fort Sumner/House are ranked third).

Menaul never got on the board in their matchup last Saturday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Questa on Saturday. They walked away with a 40-30 victory over the Wildcats. The win continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Wildcats: they've now won four in a row.

Cloudcroft better keep an eye on Luke Boatman. He was instrumental in Menaul's win, rushing for 199 yards and three scores on only ten carries, while also throwing for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns. What's more, Boatman posted two passing touchdowns, the most he's had since back in August.

Menaul was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 233 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Questa only rushed for 129.

Menaul didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Carlos Cummins and Kelly Boneza.

Menaul's record is now 5-3. As for Cloudcroft, their loss was their fifth straight on the road dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 1-7.

Cloudcroft was dealt a bruising 52-12 defeat at the hands of Menaul in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. Can the Bears avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.