GRANTS, N.M. With only four games left, the Grants High School Pirates are currently on a bye-week and are sitting in a jolly good spot at 5-1, 3-0 and ranked second in the state in 4A just behind last year’s state champion and district rival, the Bloomfield Bobcats (51,3-0).
Crucial to the success of any football team and especially a secondranked team are some unsung heroes who do not always make the headlines or get in the flashy photos.
The “O” or offensive, and the “D” or defensive lines are the workhorses of any football team and this year’s linemen are no exception—in fact they may be exceptional.
“Our offensive and defensive lines have been extremely pivotal in our recent success for sure,” said GHS head football coach Steve Brown.
Brown delved into the offensive line first and stated, “Offensively, the last several weeks we have barely scratched the surface of our offense and that is in part to our O line,” said Brown.
“They have been very successful in pass protection only giving up two sacks in the last four weeks all while blocking our running game to the tune of about 225 yards per game in that stretch.”
Brown was proud of the fact the Grants High School Pirate team have only been called for seven holding penalties in those games.
The offensive line consists of Gary Chavez, Emilio Soberanez, Dominic Riley, Levi Smith and Jaxson Wengert as well as one of the more visible and vocal Pirate players Chris Archuleta.
“They have grown as a unit—all working off of each other—it’s fun to watch them,” said Coach Brown. “We tell them that they may never hear their names announced but they need to take everything that happens personally.”
For example, “If their QB gets hit, they take it personal,” said Coach Brown.
Brown added that the team holds each other accountable for their failures as much as their successes.
Onto the defensive line, the flip side of the Pirate success.
“Gary Chavez leads the state in sacks and he also has big numbers in tackles for a loss (TFL) and hurries–that is pressuring the opposing quarterbacks,” said Brown.
“Chris Archuleta, Gary Chavez, Antonio DeVargas and Dominic Otero are the anchors that make it possible for our linebackers and defensive backs to be successful in their roles.”
Adding to that Brown said, “We have some quality subs on defense and give the team quality reps when necessary.”
The Pirates will need all their team's talents and skills in these last four games of the regular season.
The Pirates will take on a traditionally tough district rival, Taos Tigers this Friday at 6:00pm on the road.
The Tigers come fifth in district 1 at 2-4, 2-1 while the Pirates are at 51, 3-0.
In 4A district 1 Bloomfield ( 5-1, 3-0) is at the top of the district as well is ranked number 1 in 4A, followed by Grants, Bernalillo (5-1,21), Moriarty 3-2, 2-1, Epanola Valley (3-4, 1-3), Kirtland Central (1-5,0-3) and Aztec at 1-6, 0-4.
Cibola County Sports Round-Up
The GHS volleyball team is 7-8, after defeating Aztec (6-7,0-0) on September 30th in their last non-district game of the year.
The Pirates begin their district play this week with Valencia (9-4) at home on Tuesday, October 7th. Then they will travel to St. Pius (9-3) on Thursday, October 9th.
The GHS boys soccer team is 3-12, 1-3 and 4th in their district after splitting their last two games. On September 30th, the lost 3-0 in a district game to the Highland Hornets (6-9, 3-0) On October 2nd they defeated Belen (2-13, 03) on the road, 2-0. Junior Ricardo Sanchez scored both goals for the Pirates.
Next up for the Pirates will be Valencia (6-9, 1-2) on the road on October 9th.
Currently they are in 4th place in District 5, 4A boy soccer. St. Pius (9-13, 3-0) is number 1 followed by Highland, Valencia, Grants and Belen (6-9,1-2).
The lady Pirates soccer team, also just starting district play, is currently at 1-14, 0-4 after splitting their last 2 games. A loss to Highland (10-4,3-0) on September 30th and then a win at Belen (3-10, 1-2) on October 2nd by a score of 4-2. Their next game will be on the road at Valencia (1-13, 1-2). In district 5 4A standings the lady Pirates are in 5th place. St. Pius (10-4,3-0) is in first place followed by Highland, Belen and Valencia.
The Lady Hawk volleyball team is 6-7 after a 3-0 loss to Legacy Academy (9-2, 1-) on September 30th.
Their next game will be against Rehoboth Christian (9-5) on October 9th and that will also be their district debut. That game will be on the road.
The Laguna-Acoma football team 2-3, 0-1 will Courtesy Photo host McCurdy (4-2, 1-0) on October 10th in a district game.
Both McCurdy and LA are in the middle of the pack in that district (district 1,2A) and this would be a crucial game moving up the team that wins. Hozho Academy leads that district with a record of 4-2, 1-0 followed by Navajo Prep 5-0, 1-0, then McCurdy, L-A, Newcomb (1-5, 0-1) and Cuba who rounds out the district at 06, 0-1.