Cavemen Face Top-Ranked Las Cruces

kmarksteiner0
1 day ago
3 min read

By Don Eskins

After a week off to rest up and fine-tune their offense, defense, and special teams, the Carlsbad High Cavemen will return to the turf on Friday, October 24, to entertain the state’s top-ranked and District 3/6A leader, the Las Cruces Bulldawgs.

The game, designated as Senior Night for the Cavemen, is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at the Ralph Bowyer Cavemen Football Stadium.

With only two games remaining on this year’s schedule—No. 1 Las Cruces and No. 3 Hobbs—the stakes will be high for Caveman head coach Cale Sander’s 10th-ranked charges.

With a victory over the Bulldawgs, CHS would grab a share of the conference lead. But how they finish this game, win or lose, and next week’s battle with the third-ranked Hobbs Eagles could have a huge impact on whether or not the Cavemen receive a berth in this year’s state playoffs.

Cavemen Impact Players

Since assuming command of the Cavemen offense, quarterback Marley Munoz is 3-2. After dropping games to Cibola, 23-7, and Centennial, 21-20, he’s led CHS to consecutive victories over Clovis, 41-28, Organ Mt., 35-7, and Alamogordo, 30-25.

Only a junior, Munoz continues to improve each week. To get by the talented Bulldawgs, CHS will need yet another solid performance from him. Overall, he’s completed 70 of 118 passes for 1,029 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s thrown three interceptions.

Senior wide out Robert Castaneda has been on the end of over half of Munoz’s completions. He’s hauled in 40 catches for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Cavemen will look to running back Brock Wright for yards via the ground. Wright will enter CHS’s matchup with Las Cruces having rushed for 747 yards on 133 carries. He’s scored seven TDs.

Defensively, Carlsbad will be led by Colton McKibben, who’s been averaging 9.1 tackles per game; defensive back Ty Young, who’s been averaging 5.4 tackles a game; and defensive back Rio Sanchez, who’s been registering 4.6 tackles per game.

Sanchez also leads the team in the area of interceptions, with four. Junior cornerback Lennon Annins has collected two.

Defensive lineman Zayland Pesante, CHS’s sack leader with four, will also be a force for Carlsbad in the trenches. Junior Lennons has two, and defensive lineman Isaiah Gaitan has one. (MaxPreps Stats)

Las Cruces Impact Players

Daniel Amaro, a 5’9” 195 lb. senior running back, has been called on to handle the bulk of the Bulldawgs’ rushing attack. He has carried the ball 105 times for 1,070 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Quarterback Gunnar Guardiola, a 6’2” 185 lb. senior, has made good on 85 of his 127 attempts for 1,419 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s thrown two interceptions.

Guardiola’s favorite receivers appear to be Francisco Winnikoff, 35 catches for 683 yards and six touchdowns, and Jacob Misquez, 18 catches for 303 yards and a touchdown. He also likes to throw to his back, Danield Amaro. To his credit, he’s collected 12 catches for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Both of Guardiola’s top receivers have good height. Winnikoff stands 6’2” and weighs 195 lbs. Misquez is 6’2” and weighs 175 lbs.

Senior D. Walter, with 128 total tackles—69 solo and 59 assists—will lead the Bulldawgs’ defensive effort. Las Cruces will also look to junior Hunter Parmeter and senior DB Devin Alba for help. Walter has averaged 15.3 tackles per game, Parmeter 11.1, and Alba 9.9 tackles per game. (MaxPreps Stats)

Calling Out the 12th Man

The Cavemen’s next two ballgames with Las Cruces and Hobbs promise to be tough hurdles to cross for CHS to get to state. A packed stadium of Cavemen supporters, often called the 12th Man, could help them get there.

District 3/6A Standings

Team Yr. D3/ 6A

Las Cruces 8-0 4-0

Hobbs 6-2 3-1

Centennial 6-2 3-1

Carlsbad 5-3 3-1

Clovis 2-6 1-3

Alamo 4-5 1-4

Org. Mt. 2-7 0-5

By MaxPreps as of October 9

Class 6A Top 12

No Team Rec.