Cuba came into Friday's contest having lost five straight, but that streak is now in the rearview. They strolled past the Hozho Academy Wolves with points to spare on Friday, taking the game 26-8. The Rams' offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.
Richard Lovato had a dynamite game for Cuba, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, while also throwing for 38 yards and a touchdown. The bulk of those rushing yards came from one huge play: a run that gained an incredible 72 yards. Santiago Maestas was Lovato's top target, rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Cuba was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 303 rushing yards. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 77 rushing yards per game earlier this season, but in their last three matchups they've averaged 164.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Cuba's defense and their four sacks. In that department, Samiko Castillo was the leader with two. Castillo is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least five every time he's taken the field this season.
Cuba's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-5. As for Hozho Academy, their loss was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 3-3.
Both teams will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Cuba will have some time to savor their win since their next game is a little ways off: they'll take on Navajo Prep at 6:00 p.m. on October 10th. Navajo Prep knows how to get points on the board -- the squad has finished with 31 points or more in their past five matches -- so hopefully Cuba likes a good challenge. Hozho Academy will also get a bit of a break before their next game: they'll face off against Newcomb at 7:00 p.m. on October 11th. Newcomb's defense has only allowed 17.8 points per game this season, so Hozho Academy's offense will have their work cut out for them.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
