Las Cruces football uses stunt to beat Carlsbad in ‘ugly’ win

Las Cruces had a trick up its sleeve and felt it was time to use it.

The Bulldawgs (7-2, 5-0 District 3-6A) had a 24-6 lead against Carlsbad (4-5, 2-3) early in the fourth quarter and needed a way to finish off the Cavemen. Las Cruces coach Mark Lopez recalled a stunt he had set up during practice this week and decided to shut it down.

Junior running back Daniel Amaro took a pass from junior defensive end Gunnar Guardiola, but instead of running, he passed. Almost 30 yards down the field was junior wide receiver Francisco Winnikoff, who was past the Carlsbad defense. All he had to do was run 40 yards for a 73-yard pass.

The Bulldawgs now went up 30-6 and eventually won 30-12 over the Cavemen at home on Friday night.

“We saw how aggressive they were on the back end,” Lopez said. “They really like it when their (defensive backs) get involved in run support. … (Daniel) does a great job … he has a great arm.”

Amaro initially thought he had made an interception and was surprised when he accurately completed a long pass to Winnikoff.

“It was scary,” Amaro said. “I knew I could throw it far, but not that far.”

That touchdown was the culmination of an “ugly” victory, according to Lopez. But Lopez doesn’t mind one of them every now and then.

“Sometimes you have to have them,” Lopez said. “We didn’t have the bite this week that we’ve had over the last two months. But sometimes you have to win ugly, and we did it. We found a way to do it.”

Amaro, Walter do it all for the Bulldawgs

Las Cruces had two Swiss Army knives against Carlsbad.

Amaro scored two rushing touchdowns in addition to his pass, bringing his total to 18 this season. Both of his scores were the first points for the Bulldawgs in the first and second quarters.

Senior midfielder/fullback Dalin Walter played in all three phases. He scored a rushing touchdown himself, helped the Bulldogs hold Carlsbad to 12 points and made a 39-yard field goal on special teams.

Walter doesn’t mind playing all over the field, believing it allows him to play “at a high level.”

“It’s fun. It’s great,” Walter said. “I take all sides of the ball equally … and just go out there and play the ball.”

Despite the 18-point win, Amaro wants to improve.

“I feel like we could have executed better,” Amaro said. We left some points on the board. I feel like next week we have to step it up … and be ourselves.”

Las Cruces prepares for a decisive match against the team of Centennial

Las Cruces and Centennial have played many high-stakes matchups against each other in recent seasons, and they will be facing off in another one this season.

The Bulldawgs and Hawks will meet to determine the District 3-6A champion at 7:00 p.m. next Friday at the Field of Dreams, just like last season. Centennial beat Las Cruces to win the district, but the Bulldogs avenged a loss in the 6A quarterfinals weeks later, ending the Hawks’ season.

After Centennial’s (9-0, 6-0) 49-0 win over Clovis on Friday, both teams enter the game with undefeated district records. Lopez knows what awaits him and hopes his players will be up to the task.

“They’re insanely talented,” Lopez said. “It’s going to be one of those situations where we’re just going to have to come out and find a way. Our guys worked their tails off and so did their guys. . . . Whichever team is more physically disciplined is going to win.”

The Bulldawgs are ready to answer Lopez’s challenge.

“I think as long as we come together as a team … and just build each other up and play with that physicality, I think we can go out there and put up a fight,” Walter said.

Both teams look to advance to the first round of the 6A playoffs with the win.

This article originally appeared on the Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces football “wins ugly” in decisive victory over Carlsbad.