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Bulldawgs, Hawks prepare for face-off

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When Centennial and Las Cruces High meet in the District 3-6A championship football game Friday night, there will be an abundance of quick, highly skilled playmakers on both sides. Big plays are almost routine for these two teams. Touchdowns come in bunches and in all forms.

Centennial, which put up 70 points on 5A powerhouse Artesia earlier this season, is averaging nearly 50 points per game. Las Cruces is averaging more than 43. The fireworks are expected to continue in the Nov. 2 district title game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the Field of Dreams.

Both teams are unbeaten in district play with Centennial 9-0 overall and Las Cruces 7-2. The Hawks are ranked No. 2 in the state behind La Cueva and the Bulldawgs were ranked No. 5 heading into this week.

Centennial Coach Aaron Ocampo said the key to the game comes down to the less flashy part of football.

“We have to stay on blocks (on offense) and beat blocks (on defense),” he said. “It starts up front and our line is doing a good job.”

Dual-threat senior quarterback Zaiden Davis leads the Hawk offense. He comes into the game with over 1,100 yards rushing and close to 1,000 yards passing. The 6-3, 195-pounder also excels on defense and has given a verbal commitment to attend New Mexico State next fall and play linebacker for the Aggies.

“Zaiden is a big threat to score at anytime,” Ocampo said. He has 12 touchdown passes and 22 touchdown runs this season.

“Their quarterback is one of the best overall players, not just in the state, but in the entire region,” said LCHS coach Mark Lopez.

Davis is far from the only big-play threat for the Hawks. Leading receiver Jordan Lucas and Rudy Rios (13 rushing touchdowns) lead a group that also includes Dailen Ramirez, Omar Terrones and Omar Sanchez.

Lopez said Centennial’s “talent level” stands out. “They just have so many good players. They give you a lot of looks on offense and their defense is very sound and really good up front.”

The Bulldawgs had two close losses to Volcano Vista and Cleveland earlier this season and Lopez said his team has learned from the setbacks.

“We’ve had a lot of growth,” he said. “We had those early tests and we learned from them. It’s put us in position to play for the district championship against a very good team. Our players have understood the process and it’s fun to see a team learn and grow in that way.”

The Bulldawgs are led offensively by a couple of juniors – quarterback Gunnar Guardiola and running back Daniel Amaro. The 6-2 Guardiola has thrown for 16 touchdowns this year and has a completion percentage of 64 percent. Amaro, who is also a receiving and return threat, has rushed for 926 yards and has 18 rushing, receiving and passing touchdowns. Guardiola’s top receiving targets are Nate Libby and Francisco Winnikoff, who are 6-3 and 6-1 respectively.

Ocampo said the Bulldawgs are the most talented team he has studied this season.

“On defense, they’re long and tall everywhere and their scheme is really good,” he said. “Three out of their four defensive linemen are 6-3 or taller, their linebackers are tall and rangy, too. No. 32 (Isaac Gomez) is a lockdown cornerback.

“Their offensive line is big and tall and they have tall receivers,” Ocampo added. “The only guy that’s not really tall is Amaro and he’s one of the top backs in the state. And their quarterback is accurate.”

Friday’s clash marks the end of the regular season and both teams will advance to the state playoffs. Last season, Centennial won the regular-season game against Las Cruces, but fell to the Bulldawgs in the playoffs.

Las Cruces Bulldawgs, Centennial Hawks, District 3-6A championship, football

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