Some rust, to be sure, but even if the La Cueva Bears were not exactly roaring as they might have liked, they still won with a great deal of comfort.
Coming off their bye week after a momentous double-overtime win in Flagstaff over Pinnacle High from Phoenix, Class 6A鈥檚 top-ranked high school football team was back in action Friday night at Wilson Stadium.
Here is Cheeto Lumbrera III after a five-TD performance for La Cueva in a 42-19 win over Sandia at Wilson Stadium. Ran for 175 yards and four scores on the ground and also caught a 71-yard touchdown pass on the game鈥檚 first snap.
鈥 James Yodice (@JamesDYodice)
La Cueva downs Sandia in district opener: Photos
Leah Galvin, 16, and other cheerleaders the Sandia High School, stand for the National Anthem before their game against La Cueva at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
The Sandia High School Matadors lead by Gabe Ortiz take the field to face the La Cueva Bears at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
Referee John Denery gives instructions to players from Sandia and La Cueva before the coin toss Friday at Wilson Stadium.
La Cueva's Cheeto Lumbrera III, takes a reception in for a touchdown on the first play of the game against Sandia at Wilson Stadium on Friday.
La Cueva's Cheeto Lumbrera III, right, celebrates with teammate Tanner Montano after making a reception and carries it for a touchdown on the first play of their game against Sandia High School. The game was played at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
Sandia High School's Lucas Hoswell carries the ball during their game against La Cueva, Friday, September 13, 2024.
La Cueva's quarterback Cameron Dyer carries the ball during their game against Sandia High School. The game was played at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
A pass gets get by Sandia's Daymon Gleason, right, for a completion by La Cueva's Jayden Parsons during their game played at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
Sandia High School's Aiden Maldonado carries the ball into the endzone for the Matadors' first touchdown during their game against La Cueva, Friday, September 13, 2024.
La Cueva's Cheeto Lumbrera III, right, runs for a first down behind lineman Mark Handy, left, during their game against Sandia at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
Sandia High School's Lucas Hoswell carries the ball for a first down before being forced out of bounds during their game against La Cueva, Friday, September 13, 2024.
La Cueva's Isaiah Chavez carries a reception for several yards during their game against Sandia at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.
La Cueva鈥檚 Cheeto Lumbrera III, right, makes a reception in front of Sandia鈥檚 Gabe Ortiz to set up the Bears鈥 fourth touchdown during Friday night鈥檚 game at Wilson Stadium.
Sandia鈥檚 Gabe Ortiz, left, is tackled by La Cueva鈥檚 Mickey Widner during the second quarter of Friday鈥檚 game.
La Cueva鈥檚 Isaiah Goree makes a reception in the end zone for the Bears鈥 third touchdown in the first quarter of their game against Sandia on Friday.
Sandia High School's Lucas Hoswell is tackled by La Cueva's Mason Posa during the second quarter of their game at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, Friday, September 13, 2024.