Cleveland faces Rio Rancho in season finale

Cleveland High School football is 9-0. The Storm are perfect in the regular season and stand as the top team in New Mexico. They head into the final week of the season with a 6-0 conference record in District 1-6A. Their opponents, the Rio Rancho Rams, are 5-4 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

The two teams play in an annual rivalry game on Friday night. This matchup traditionally occurs in the final week of the regular season. Cleveland has won the last 12 meetings between the two schools. The Rams last defeated the Storm in 2016.

Cleveland has dominated its recent opponents. The Storm have won three of their last four games by at least 50 points. A mercy rule limits the score in these blowouts. Without it, the margins of victory would likely be larger.

Rio Rancho is looking to break that losing streak. The team has won two consecutive games. This turnaround came after starting quarterback Micah Takahashi missed most of October with an injury. He returned to the lineup last week.

Takahashi threw for 228 yards and five touchdowns in a 36-31 win over West Mesa. He completed 20 of 27 passes in that contest. His return gives the Rams a stronger chance against Cleveland. However, the Storm appear on pace to win a third straight state championship.

Rio Rancho will host Cleveland at 6 p.m. on Friday at Rio Rancho High School. A win for Cleveland would give them an undefeated regular season. It would also secure another district title.

In District 1-4A, Bernalillo High School is 5-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. The Spartans are hosting Manzano High School at 7 p.m. on Friday. This is a different type of game compared to the Cleveland and Rio Rancho affair.

Bernalillo has won three of its last four games. The team has given up just 27 points across four games this month. Four of their five wins this season have been blowouts. Manzano is 5-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

Manzano has won four of its last five games. Its only loss in that stretch was a one-point defeat to Valley. A win for Bernalillo would mark a fourth consecutive winning season for the Spartans. It would also help determine playoff seeding.

Bernalillo currently sits fifth in District 1-4A. Manzano is third. Bernalillo’s defense has been among the best in the state over the last month. Manzano’s offense is also playing well. The outcome of Friday’s game could shift the standings in the district.