🏈 Tournament Battle: Alamo Navajo Faces Escalante in 8-Man Showdown

The New Mexico 8-Man State Football Tournament kicks off, and a compelling first-round matchup sees the Alamo Navajo Cougars traveling to face the Escalante Lobos. This Friday night (6 pm) clash is a classic tournament dynamic: a smaller-seeded team with a strong district record against a higher-seeded squad that has proven itself against varied competition.

The Matchup at a Glance

The Escalante Lobos enter the tournament with a superior 7-3 overall record and a significant offensive edge, having put up nearly double the points of Alamo Navajo throughout the season (378 points for Escalante vs. 179 for Alamo Navajo). Their diverse schedule has prepared them for the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.

The Alamo Navajo Cougars, at 3-5 overall, might appear to be an underdog, but they clinched their spot with a perfect 3-0 record in district play, demonstrating their ability to win crucial games when it matters most. They’ll need that district swagger and momentum to carry them on the road.

Key Players to Watch

• Escalante’s Playmaker: The Lobos’ offense often runs through Braylon Emery, who is a threat both on the ground and through the air, leading the team in both rushing (78.0 Yds/G) and passing yardage (87.7 Yds/G), and also leading in scoring (8.2 Pts/G). Stopping him will be the Cougars’ primary defensive objective.
• Alamo Navajo’s Aerial Attack: The Cougars will look to get their standout receivers Tilial Secatero and Cobre Mexicano involved early with hookups from quarterback Scotty Guerro. If Alamo Navajo can protect the pocket, they have the home-run threat to keep pace.
• Defensive Pressure: Escalante’s defense, led by dominant tackler Jerome Montoya (14.3 Tackles/G), will look to pressure Guerro and prevent those big plays.
• Big Dawg: Senior Andy Pino is the Cougar’s biggest and most aggressive defender 6-2, 280lbs and will be a key factor in stopping the Lobo’s running game.

The X-Factor

This game will be a test of Escalante’s offensive firepower versus Alamo Navajo’s determination and big-play capability. For the Cougars to pull off the upset, they must control the clock, limit turnovers, and capitalize on every opportunity their receiver Pino can create. For the Lobos, it’s about playing sound, consistent football and trusting their strong season-long performance to translate into a first-round victory at home.

The winner moves one step closer to the ultimate prize.