Video: Zane Alley's highlights vs. Cleveland
See the Las Cruces running back in action.
The No. 1 and 2 teams in MaxPreps' Computer Rankings will play for the Class 6A New Mexico state football championship on Saturday as Rio Rancho (12-0) hosts Las Cruces (11-1).
The unbeaten Rams rolled past No. 4 Manzano 35-7 in the semifinals as senior tailback Josh Foley ran for 203 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 53, 41 and 23 yards.
Las Cruces avenged its only loss with a shocking 45-7 rout of Cleveland, which had beaten the Bulldawgs early in the year in a 49-42 thriller. The Bulldawgs earned their ninth straight victory by exploding for 17 points in the first seven minutes and riding the wave to an impressive victory.
The Rams are happy to get a shot at Las Cruces, which dealt them a pair of defeats in 2015.
In Class 5A, No. 7 St. Pius will challenge No. 5 Artesia (10-2). St. Pius (11-1) moved up three notches by beating Roswell 42-7 to reach the title game for the first time since 2001. Artesia, which has won the last two state championships, disposed of Los Lunas 35-7, as junior quarterback Taylor Null threw three touchdown passes. The Bulldogs will be seeking their 30th state football crown.
The Class 4A finals will pit No. 17 Portales (11-1) against No. 19 Robertson (12-0). Portales gained three positions by shutting out St. Michael's 38-0. Robertson eliminated Hatch Valley 38-20 behind the passing of Arjay Ortiz, who had a career-best 295 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to running for two more scores. Hatch Valley had ousted Robertson in the state playoffs each of the previous two years.
The Class 3A finals will pair No. 29 Capitan (11-1) against No. 37 Eunice (8-4). Eunice moved up seven positions by beating Estancia 38-13. Capitan, which jumped five positions, nipped Dexter 14-7 in overtime for its eighth straight victory. Its only loss was to Estancia 20-14.
All finals will be played Saturday afternoon:
Class 6A: Las Cruces at Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho battles Las Cruces for the New Mexico Class 6A football title on Saturday.
Photo by Jesse Bartlett
