Bigger tests loom for Cowboys

Winners of three straight and 5-1 overall, the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys have some major tests ahead.

Dave Kavanaugh/Optic photo

Highlands wideout Kevon Williams busts through the Western State defense.

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The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s preseason favorite, Colorado State-Pueblo hosts NMHU on Nov. 3. The always tough Chadron State Eagles visit Perkins Stadium a week from Saturday.

But first, there’s Adams State this weekend, and how Highlands fares against the Grizzlies is often a good barometer for the team’s overall fortunes.

Adams is 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the RMAC, coming off a 20-17 defeat of league newcomer Black Hills State (S.D.).

Saturday’s contest pits the high-scoring (38.0 points per game) Cowboy offense against a Grizzly defense that leads the league in scoring “D,” allowing just 16.7 points a game.

Grizzly running back Michael Carl rushed for 111 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the win over BHSU. Kicker David Van Voris leads the league in field goals and accuracy.

Also this weekend, Robertson (2-3) hosts returning district foe Pojoaque Valley (4-2) for homecoming on Friday night, and West Las Vegas (0-6) looks to get into the win column at Santa Fe Indian (2-3) on Saturday afternoon.

The Cardinals went 1-3 to start the season against a brutal schedule — Portales, Lovington, Santa Rosa and St. Mike’s. In their last game, two weeks ago, the Cards routed Capital 35-0 at Jaguar Stadium.

Pojoaque has won four straight, including what may be a signature win — last week’s 40-21 upset of Raton.

SFIS was off last week; the Braves’ most recent game was a 22-14 win over Navajo Prep.

West has been more competitive its last couple games and made a rally late in last week’s 34-20 loss to Laguna-Acoma.