Football
La Cueva’s 89-62 win over West Mesa had plenty of people talking about Thursday night’s game. Head Coach Brandon Back was on 95.9 FM The Sports Animal, whose host said the bout was “the highest-scoring game in the history of New Mexico 11-man high school football.”
“It was a literal war is what we told the kids,” Back said on the radio show. “We were expecting a battle, but I don’t think anybody expected that type of battle. You know, we were able to lean on our offense when we needed it and got the W in a very important district win.”
Quarterback Aidan Armenta tweeted his stats for the game:
“Week 8 vs. West Mesa
475 passing yards
8 passing touchdowns
(20/32)”
And La Cueva High School Football Boosters posted on Facebook: “La Cueva vs. West Mesa game was one we won’t soon forget. 13 TDs, 4 interceptions, records set and determination and grit from the Bears. #DL2N.” Highlights from Thursday’s game can be watched on the LCHS Football Boosters Facebook page at fb.watch/gdgps_avWj.
According to MaxPreps, La Cueva had a total of 710 completed yards and West Mesa 553 in the four-hour game. MaxPreps has the Bears varsity team ranked as No. 3 in the state and No. 3 in District 2-6A, behind Cleveland and Centennial. They are 7-1 overall and 2-0 in their district. La Cueva takes on Sandia next in a district away game at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21.
Soccer
The boys varsity team is now on a 12-game win streak after defeating Sandia 2-1 on Thursday, Oct. 13. Juniors Brandon Boling and Chris Lugones scored the two goals for the Bears, with Lugones also picking up an assist. Senior Mason Barone is credited with the other assist by MaxPreps. Goalkeeper Mateo Nobrega had six saves while Sandia’s keeper Joshua Kropf had five saves. Senior Connor Cousins scored the lone goal for the Matadors. The Bears are 14-1-3 overall this season and 8-0 in 5A District 2. They are ranked third in the state by MaxPreps, behind Volcano Vista and Centennial. La Cueva faces off against Farmington in a district away game at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18.
La Cueva’s girls varsity team lost to Sandia 3-2 in overtime on Thursday. Senior Amber Otts and junior Tessa Updegraff scored the two goals for the Lady Bears, while junior Ayla Dils scored two and junior Tiana Griego one for the Matadors. La Cueva is 13-5 overall this season and 6-2 in 5A District 2. They take on Farmington in a district home game at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Volleyball
The girls varsity team remains undefeated at 17-0 this season after sweeping Farmington 25-17, 25-15, 25-16 on Saturday. They take on Eldorado (14-2) in a district home game at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18. The Lady Bears are ranked No. 1 in the state and Division 5 A by MaxPreps and are ranked No. 6 in Region 8 by USA Today Sports.
Cross-country
La Cueva’s Spencer Gilbertson placed fourth in the 5A Varsity Boys 5,000 Meter Run Finals during Saturday’s Academy Extravaganza. Gilbertson had a time of 16:08.27. Volcano Vista’s Thomas Croshaw and Orion Chavez had the top two fastest times at 15:37.33 and 16:02.52, respectively. La Cueva’s boys varsity team placed fifth in the meet with an average team time of 17:29. Volcano Vista took first with an average team time of 16:14.
A very strong showing from our La Cueva boys cross country team at the Albuquerque Academy Invite. Great job! @PrincipalLCHS @LCHS_Hubbell @LCHS_Keilbarth pic.twitter.com/AjJMPwO4Fp
— Greg Butz (@LCHS_GBUTZ) October 15, 2022
Lady Bear Ariana Thiel-Hadjilambrinos placed third in the 5A Varsity Girls 5,000 Meter Run Finals during Saturday’s meet hosted by Albuquerque Academy. She finished with a time of 19:14.69. Leah Futey of V. Sue Cleveland High School had the fastest time at 18:01.60. La Cueva’s girls varsity team placed seventh with an average team time of 21:22. V. Sue Cleveland took first with an average team time of 19:55.
La Cueva Girls Cross Country team with a strong showing at the Academy Invite! @PrincipalLCHS @LCHS_Hubbell @LCHS_Keilbarth pic.twitter.com/epgFJHVSQC
— Greg Butz (@LCHS_GBUTZ) October 15, 2022
