Here's a roundup of the 2023 New Mexico high school football champions.
Class 6A: La Cueva Bears
La Cueva is a much different team than the one Cleveland saw back in August.
For that, the Bears owe the Storm at least a small debt of gratitude.
No. 3 La Cueva (10-4) claimed its first blue trophy in football since 2018 with a surprisingly dominant 35-14 victory over top-seeded Cleveland (9-4) in the Class 6A championship game Saturday afternoon on the Storm’s home field. It was the Bears' 10th consecutive triumph after an 0-3 start, as they avenged a 27-7 loss to Cleveland in Week 2 of the regular season.
The winning team had a 91-yard touchdown pass, scored on a stunning fourth-and-15, and hit another unexpected TD on a 29-yard throw on second-and-goal. The Artesia Bulldogs will long remember the events that unfolded over these 48 minutes.
But probably not as much as the only stat that truly mattered, the one they were most fervently chasing:
32.
Second-seeded Artesia’s 35-21 victory over No. 1 Roswell on Saturday afternoon locked up the program’s 32nd state championship, as Artesia beat the Coyotes for the Class 5A state football championship before an overflow crowd at historic Bulldog Bowl.
In a way, it made perfect sense. The best team from the state’s toughest district finished the season as New Mexico’s Class 4A football champion.
That would be the second-seeded Lovington Wildcats, who on Saturday went on the road and demolished district rival Portales 57-21 in the 4A final at Greyhound Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Senior quarterback Wyatt Gomez was clearly the offensive MVP of this postseason for the Wildcats (10-3). He threw for five touchdown passes in the semifinals against Silver, then chucked five more (with over 300 passing yards) on Saturday against the fourth-seeded Rams (11-2), whose only two losses this season were at the hands of Lovington.
The St. Michael's Horsemen had to work for the blue Class 3A football state championship trophy they earned Saturday.
But first, their family members had to handle some heavy lifting.
Top-seeded St. Michael's used a dominant second half to pull out a 21-16 victory over No. 2 Robertson in snowy Santa Fe, scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns to finally turn the tide.
The Class 2A championship proved to be a runaway victory for No. 2 seed Texico (11-2), which pulled away for a 44-7 victory at home over top-seeded Eunice (10-3).
In the 8-Man Championship, top-seeded Melrose routed No. 7 Clayton 50-0.
6-Man: Roy/Mosquero Longhorns
No. 2-seeded Roy/Mosquero scored 24 points in the third quarter and held on for a 46-38 victory over No. 1 Gateway Christian in 6-Man Football Championship game in Roy.
Photos: La Cueva wins the 6A championship game
Photos: Artesia captures 5A football title
Photos: St. Michael's hangs on for the 3A championship
La Cueva players rush on to Lightning Bolt Stadium field to start the New Mexico Class 6A championship game against Cleveland on Nov. 25, 2023.Jessica Baca
The Artesia Bulldogs hold up the New Mexico Class 5A football championship trophy after defeating Roswell 35-21 on Saturday at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.Mike Sandoval
St. Michael’s Lucas Gurule lands on a pile of snow after making a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to give the Horsemen a 21-10 lead during their Class 3A state championship game against Robertson on Saturday in Santa Fe. St. Michael’s won 21-16.Eddie Moore
La Cueva linebacker Mason Posa hugs family members after the Bears beat Cleveland to win the 2023 New Mexico Class 6A football championship. Posa, who has committed to Wisconsin, played a major role in the Bears’ victory over Phoenix Pinnacle Saturday night in Flagstaff, Ariz.Jessica Baca
La Cueva, which won a football state championship this past season, was Class 5A’s highest-performing school during the 2023-24 school year and is the winner of this year’s Director’s Cup.Jessica Baca
La Cueva quarterback Cam Dyer yells in excitement after the Bears take a big lead over Cleveland in the Nov. 25 6A state championship game. La Cueva eventually won 35-14.Jessica Baca
La Cueva high school quarterback Cameron Dyer (1) gets pulled down by Cleveland high school player Malachi Jaramillo (15) at Cleveland Storm Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Jessica Baca
La Cueva’s Carson Armstrong holds the New Mexico Class 6A championship trophy after the Bears defeated Cleveland 35-14 on Saturday at Lightning Bolt Stadium in Rio Rancho.Jessica Baca
La Cueva’s Cam Dyer runs a play against Cleveland in last year’s Class 6A championship. The teams play again for the title Saturday at Wilson Stadium.Jessica Baca
La Cueva players rush on to Lightning Bolt Stadium field to start the New Mexico Class 6A championship game against Cleveland on Nov. 25, 2023.Jessica Baca
Cleveland high school game against La Cueva high school was delayed due tot he field being covered in snow at Cleveland Storm Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Jessica Baca
La Cueva’s most notable regular-season game of 2024 might be Week 2 against Phoenix-based Pinnacle, a contest scheduled to be played in Flagstaff, Arizona.Jessica Baca
La Cueva high school fans go wild after La Cueva locks their position as the winner of the game against Cleveland high school with three minutes left on the clock at Cleveland Storm Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Jessica Baca
The Artesia Bulldogs hold up the New Mexico Class 5A football championship trophy after defeating Roswell 35-21 on Saturday at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Juan Diego Duran, left, catches a ball past Roswell’s Keegan Nichols on his way to a 91-yard touchdown at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Juan Diego Duran, left, looks back at Roswell’s Xai Carrasco as Duran crosses the goal line to score a touchdown at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Ethan Conn, left, celebrates with teammate Diego Lopez after Conn scored a touchdown at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia fans fire off smoke and confetti as time expires on the New Mexico Class 5A football championship at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Artesia defeated Roswell 35-21. The Bulldog Bowl is the site of this weekend's high school all-star football gamesMike Sandoval
Artesia’s Jesse Armendariz (28), intercepts a pass in front of his teammate Josiah Rodriguez (22) and Roswell’s Abey Toscano at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Roswell’s Jerm Moriel (left) breaks up a pass intended for Artesia’s Matthew Saiz at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. MMike Sandoval
Artesia’s Rafael Orozco, second from right, holds up the football as the rest of the Bulldog defense celebrates following a Roswell turnover on Saturday at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia.Mike Sandoval
Roswell’s Jacob Palomino (10) catches a pass in front the Coyotes bench as they battled Artesia for the New Mexico Class 5A football championship at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s football team gets ready to grab the New Mexico Class 5A football championship trophy from Artesia Superintendent Darian Jaramillo, right, after defeating Roswell 35-21 at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Nye Estrada throws a pass as the Bulldogs played the Roswell Coyotes at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Roswell’s Damian Quezada (3) tips a pass intended for Artesia’s Frankie Galindo (26) at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Frankie Galindo bursts through the Roswell defense during last season’s Class 5A state title game at Bulldog Bowl in Artesia. The teams meet again for the title Saturday in Roswell.Mike Sandoval
Artesia’s Diego Wesson (54) hits Roswell’s Manny Fuentez as the Roswell quarterback releases the ball. Fuentez was shaken up on the play and was eventually carted off the field at the Bulldog Bowl in Artesia on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.Mike Sandoval
St. Michael's head coach Joey Fernandez hugs his quarterback Reed Bass as the Horsemen win the New Mexico Class 3A championship against Robertson on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Matthias Duran shows off his championship medal after the Horsemen won the New Mexico Class 3A title against Robertson on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
The St. Michael’s Horsemen celebrate their New Mexico Class 3A championship after beating Robertson on Saturday in Santa Fe.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's head coach Joey Fernandez holds up the state 3A championship trophy after the Horsemen beat Robertson High School in the title game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael’s Lucas Gurule lands on a pile of snow after making a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to give the Horsemen a 21-10 lead during their Class 3A state championship game against Robertson on Saturday in Santa Fe. St. Michael’s won 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's quarterback Reed Bass, #6, celebrates after the ref's ruled a reception a touchdown in the 4th quarter, to give the Horsemen a 21-10 lead during their championship game against Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Mateo Contreras, left, makes a touchdown reception against St. Michael's in the 4th quarter, to bring the Cardinals within 5 during their championship game against St. Michael's High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Matthias Duran, #1, carries the ball for a first down during 3rd quarter of their championship game against Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. Duran finished the drive by scoring the go-ahead touchdown. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's quarterback Reed Bass, right, hands the ball off to Soren Annon who carries the ball for a 78 yard touchdown run, for the Horsemen's first touchdown, during their championship game against Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Isaiah Dominguez, center, carries the ball during their championship game against Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Ryan Hunt puts pressure on Robertson High School's Jesse James Ganzales during their championship game,, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael’s Sabiani Rios-Guevara (5) almost intercepts a pass meant for Robertson’s Nathaniel Gonzales in the Class 3A championship game Nov. 25, 2023. St. Mike’s won the title and both teams return as contenders in 2024.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Sabiani Rios-Guevara, #5, intercepts a pass meant for Robertson High School's Mateo Contreras, #21, during the first quarter of their championship game,, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the 3A championship game 21-16.Eddie Moore
German Rodriguez, with Cassidy's Landscaping, pushes snow off the field at Ivan Head Stadium before the 3A championship game between St. Michael's and Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
German Rodriguez, with Cassidy's Landscaping, pushes snow off the field at Ivan Head Stadium before the 3A championship game between St. Michael's and Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
David Gallegos, a parent of a Robertson High School player, shovels snow off the field at Ivan Head Stadium before the 3A championship game between St. Michael's and Robertson, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's head coach Joey Fernandez , left, and assistant coaches finish a timeout with their offense before a two point conversion during their 3A championship game against Robertson High School, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Matthias Duran, center, and Joseph Sanchez have a moment together after beating Robertson High School for the 3A championship, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's Matthias Duran carries the ball before being hit by Robertson High School's Jesse James Gonzales, during their 3A championship game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Jesse James Gonzales, right, is tripped by St. Michael's players during their 3A championship game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Jesse James Gonzales, left, runs for a first down while being pursued St. Michael's Pete Johnson during their 3A championship game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Nathaniel Gonzales, #8, was called for pass interference guarding St. Michael's Brayden Hollis during their 3A championship game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Quik Cordova, left, celebrates with teammate Mateo Contreras, after scoring the first touchdown of their 3A championship game against St. Michael's, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
Robertson High School's Mateo Contreras, left, makes a long reception against St. Michael's Reagan West, center, and Cole Jacobs during the first quarter of their 3A championship game, Saturday November 25, 2023. St. Mike's won the game 21-16.Eddie Moore
St. Michael's players celebrate their 3A state championship after beating Robertson High School 21-16, Saturday, November 25, 2023.Eddie Moore
