FOOTBALL

Cavemen built themselves up from scratch

Matt Hollinshead
Carlsbad Current-Argus
Carlsbad junior fullback Mark Sonora dashes to the right side against Clovis junior strong safety Skylar Wadas in the first quarter Friday, Nov. 6. The Cavemen went 1-9 this season.

CARLSBAD – Despite the 1-9 record, an argument can be made that the Carlsbad football team didn’t play like a team with that kind of record to end the 2015 season.

The Cavemen lost five of the last six games each by eight points or less. The sixth game, Carlsbad won, 21-14, during District 4-6A play at Alamogordo.

Games against Sandia, Goddard, Hobbs and Clovis showed that the Cavemen had much fight in them, getting key tackles and scoring touchdowns off big play, which restored hope of potentially returning to the playoffs for the first time in two years. Those games were decided by things such as a costly turnover, an unsuccessful third or fourth down conversion or not scoring in critical times.

“We just couldn’t get over that hump on the scoreboard,” first-year coach Gary Bradley said. “Turnovers were definitely not on our side. We lost the turnover margin, we turned over the ball too many times, and we didn’t create a whole lot of turnovers. That does kind of tell the tale, as far as wins and losses.”

The District 4-6A regular season title came down to the wire. Mathematically speaking, Carlsbad remained in the hunt for the title entering the final game at Clovis.

“We were really close to being a really good football team and being a playoff football team. It just didn’t work out. I’m just really proud of the guys, the way they showed their maturity and their mental toughness. It’s real easy for teams to feel sorry for themselves and kind of give up when things aren’t going your way. These guys never did,” Bradley said. “Playing tight in all those games against really good teams, all playoff teams, we were just super close.”

They had to win and have Alamogordo beat Hobbs. Neither happened, and both Clovis and Hobbs went to the 2015 U.S. Bank 6A State Football Championships playoffs.

Despite how 2015 turned out, Bradley said all those close games and the improvements he saw each week is going to be a “huge building block for the future of Cavemen football.”

Bradley said it was crazy to see that the playoffs were attainable with a 1-9 record.

“It was a roller coaster, as far as just trying to get a victory on the scoreboard. We did so many good things, and the kids did such a good job in practice all year long and played their hearts out,” Bradley said. “I can’t say enough about the improvement that we showed throughout the year, despite our record.”

Carlsbad had some big moments, from scoring the opening touchdown at Americas in just seven plays to punt or kick returns going for a touchdown.

Bradley instilled the triple-option offense, and as the season went on the players got more comfortable in the system.

“It really shined at the end of the year. We controlled the clock, we played good defense, and our guys just kind of bought it. It was completely opposite of what those guys were used to with the spread offense and throwing the ball,” Bradley said.

Seniors Cassius Rivers and Luke Wood changed positions from wide receiver to running back. And some players like sophomores Nate Arrington and Jordin Molina and junior Jesus Ornelas had roles on both sides of the ball, starting in the secondary alongside senior free safety Haden Harper, and also helping as extra receivers on the depth chart.

Juniors Tyler Gonzales and Mark Sonora got extra playing time in the backfield at Clovis.

“We literally started from scratch when we put this offense in. Our playbook will definitely expand next year,” Bradley said.

Moving forward, Bradley said he’d like the offense to be more balanced throwing and running the ball in 2016 and include a few more formations.

“We didn’t run very much option at all. We did early, but it just wasn’t working for us. We’d definitely like to run a lot more option. I think that’ll open up our passing game quite a bit more,” Bradley said.

But now that Carlsbad’s had a whole season to adapt to the new system, Bradley said the Cavemen will start the 2016 season on a stronger note.

“They’re going to have a complete understanding of the offense when we start next year. Our spring will go so much smoother,” Bradley said. “Things will be a night and day difference when we start next year, as far as our offense is concerned.”

Joining a new district featuring teams like Las Cruces and Mayfield, Bradley said it was good to put his foundation in place a year in advance and have Carlsbad get its feet wet.

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.