Cats seek district title, high seed

Though he wished he took part, Arthur Calbert had to watch the Clovis Wildcats win the District 4-5A title and reach the state title game last season.

Now that he is taking part, Calbert doesn’t want to watch Hobbs, or anybody else, celebrate at Clovis’ expense.

“I didn’t get this chance last year,” said Calbert, the 6-foot-5 defensive back, who broke his leg early last season. “I want my team to get all the way through this year.”

They’ll want a high seed to get there, and they’ll likely get that with a win over district rival Hobbs tonight.

But the Wildcats will still be watching when it comes to Saturday night and where they’ll be seeded in the playoffs.

Should the Wildcats beat Hobbs and take the 4-5A title, they’ll be a favorite for a top-four seed in the 12-team bracket. The top four teams receive first-round byes and homefield advantage in the second round.

They’ll have some competition. Eldorado, the only team to beat Clovis, needs a win against Rio Grande for a 10-0 season, and Las Cruces (9-0) faces Mayfield (8-1) for the 3-3A title.

Saturday could see two 10-0 teams in 5A, or one 10-1 team and three 9-1 squads. Either is problematic for the New Mexico Activities, which is tasked to rank teams without considering strength of schedule.

Clovis assistant Darren Kelley figures with a win, the Wildcats get either the third or fourth seed.

“It doesn’t matter” as long as Clovis wins, Kelley said. “It all comes down to Las Cruces and Mayfield. We need to take care of our business and not worry about what the committee does.”

The business includes an Eagle team coming off a 35-21 win over Carlsbad. Kelley said the Cavemen “had their chances,” and that the Wildcats need to make sure the Eagles don’t get the same chances this week.

“Hobbs is definitely athletic,” Kelley said. “They’re good enough to beat you if you don’t take care of business.”

Hobbs is a more run-heavy team than in past years, Kelley said, but are still capable of spreading the ball around. Calbert is hoping the secondary can force the Eagles to a one-dimensional running attack.

“Our secondary works good as a group,” Calbert said. “We’re in tune with what everyone’s doing and we know each other.”

CLOVIS GAMEDAY
Hobbs (4-5) at Clovis (8-1)
7 p.m. today, Leon Williams Stadium
Coaches: Hobbs, Phillip Roybal. Clovis, Eric Roanhaus, 31st season, 288-99-5.
Last week: Clovis had a bye week. Hobbs defeated Carlsbad 35-21.
Last meeting: 2007, Clovis 28, Hobbs 7.
Hobbs players to watch: TE Juhreece Thompson (6-6, 260, Sr.), QB Kyle Niemeyer (6-2, 195, Sr.), LB Ty Johnson (6-2, 225, Sr.)
On the radio: KCLV 1240 AM, 99.1 FM; KTQM 99.9 FM; KWKA 680 AM; KICA 98.3 FM.
TV: KFCL, 6 p.m. Saturday, 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Quick hits: Clovis senior RB Stefan Mills needs 26 yards for a 1,000-yard rushing season. He is tops on the team with 974 yards on 163 carries, ahead of fellow seniors James Howard (459) and Scott McMath (388). Senior WR Moses Bibbs leads the Wildcats in all receiving categories, with 12 receptions for 308 yards and four scores. Senior LB Lane Ward has 86 tackles to lead Clovis, and DE Morris Sharp has a team-high 5.5 sacks.
Go figure: The Wildcats have trailed for only 8:25 this season — 2:05 against Carlsbad and 6:20 against La Cueva. In each case, the Wildcats scored on their ensuing drive. Clovis’ only loss came on a 2-point conversion to Eldorado in overtime.

— Kevin Wilson