Cruces finds its early-season identity

Las Cruces High has plenty competing for its attention this week: homecoming, Mayfield and the expectations that come with a 2-0 start. Head Coach Mark Lopez would prefer his players focus on what happens between the lines. 

The Bulldawgs enter their annual rivalry matchup with Mayfield after opening the season with two wins that unfolded much differently. Las Cruces edged Rio Rancho 14-7 in its opener before scoring 42 points in a road win over Dumas on Friday. 

“I think our offensive line, we had a number of missed assignments in week one and just really, you know, we kind of struggled with it,” Lopez said. “We got a lot of new starters up there, and we have confidence in them and they’re talented guys, but as they’re getting this experience, we made our fair share of mistakes in week one.” 

Those growing pains were less apparent against Dumas. Lopez said the offensive line played with better discipline and physicality, creating running lanes and keeping the offense out of difficult down-and-distance situations. That improvement also created opportunities downfield as Dumas committed more defenders to stopping the run. 

“We didn’t have a lot of negative plays,” Lopez said. “When you’re able to do that, you start getting guys tighter and tighter into the box, and that lets you take some shots down the field. We were able to do that and capitalize on those as well.” 

Junior quarterback Aldo Gallegos saw the same progression from the players in front of him. 

“We struggled a little bit in the first game, but we locked in, and they gave us more opportunities to score, and we capitalized off that,” Gallegos said. 

The development of the offense has complemented a defense Lopez expected to lean on early in the season. He credited the unit’s discipline through the opening two weeks while younger and less experienced players settled into larger roles on the other side of the ball. 

Senior linebacker Denton Walter has been at the center of that defensive group. The University of New Mexico commit said its success has come from players staying within their assignments while sharing in each other’s accomplishments. 

“I like the way that we’ve been able to stay in our process and just do our jobs,” Walter said, “and celebrate each other’s success, not necessarily just our own.” 

That approach extends far beyond the defense. Lopez pointed to the team’s senior class as an important part of establishing expectations for a group that includes several players growing into new responsibilities, and four all-state players that returned from last season.  

Gallegos is among them. In his first season as the starting quarterback, he said coaches and teammates have pushed him to become more vocal. 

“I wasn’t really a leader at the beginning,” Gallegos said. “I didn’t really want to talk or none of that, and my teammates and coaches got me to do that.” 

Junior running back Chris Gomez is finding his place in a similar way. Gomez described himself more as a teammate than a vocal leader at this stage, with his role centered on contributing wherever needed. That included taking advantage of an offensive front he described as noticeably more physical in the second game. 

“We came first week not as nasty,” Gomez said. “Second week, we came out super nasty, and it just created more opportunities for me and Jaxon (Alba).” 

While Gallegos and Gomez continue developing their voices, Walter has assumed a larger leadership role in his final season at Las Cruces. His future beyond high school is already taking shape after committing to play at UNM, but Walter said that has not altered what he wants from his final year with the Bulldawgs. 

“I just have the same goal with my brothers, which is to be able to have a ring at the end of the year and win the state championship,” Walter said. “I don’t think that college should have an effect on my perspective now. I think it’s just taking advantage of my time I have now with my brothers that I grew up with and taking advantage of my last run with them.” 

The next part of that run carries considerably more attention. 

Las Cruces and Mayfield meet Friday night during a week that also coincides with homecoming at Las Cruces High. Lopez knows the atmosphere will be different around the school, but inside the football program, he does not want it to be treated that way. 

“Homecoming isn’t for us. That’s for the school,” Lopez said. “As far as what we’re doing around here in our building, nothing changes.” 

For the players, separating themselves completely from the history of the matchup is difficult. Gomez watched the rivalry from the sideline last season and will now have an opportunity to experience it on the field. Walter grew up hearing about the game and watched his older brother play in it before eventually becoming part of the rivalry himself. 

Still, Walter’s outlook closely mirrors the message coming from his coach. 

“We’re going to treat it just like every other game,” Walter said. “We don’t worry about the other team. We’re worried about what we’re doing and what we’re capable of and focusing on getting better week by week.”