Tough starts for Socorro County football teams this season

The three Socorro County varsity football teams have come away empty-handed in the wins column so far this season. They are a combined 0-5 two weeks into the 2025 season. After facing some incredibly strong opponents in the first two weeks, the week three match-ups have them all hopeful for earning those first wins.

Alamo Cougars offense is getting points on the board

Friday, August 29, the Cougars came the closest to notching a victory. They lost by only 6 to the Hagerman/Lake Arthur Bobcats, who are now 2-0. The final score was 36-42.

The Alamo Cougars had lost their season opener to the Mescalero Apache Chiefs 26-60. Although the Cougar team is now 0-2, the 62 combined points show that Head Coach Wyatt Billy has strong offensive potential in this year’s squad.

For week three, the Cougars travel to play the Melrose Buffaloes. The Buffaloes were undefeated champs last year at 13-0, but find themselves struggling offensively and winless this year so far at 0-2. The Cougars are looking to grab their first non-district win in several years on Friday, the 5th.

Magdalena Steers rested following a bye week

The Steers had a bye in week two and have a record of 0-1. In the first week, they played against the reigning six-man state champs, Logan Longhorns. The Steers played hard against a team that was undefeated last year and has started out this season 2-0. The Magdalena team scored a respectable 32 points against Logan’s 47.

On Friday the 5th, the Steers will host the Roy/Mosquero Blue at home. This is another non-district game before the Steers first see a district game at the end of the month, and the Roy/Mosquero team has yet to play a game this season. Both teams had even 0.500 win percentages last year.

Socorro Warriors looking forward to their Homecoming game

The Socorro Warriors found their offense in a rainy game two versus the Thoreau Hawks last Friday, but turnovers kept them out of the end zone despite several trips into the red zone. In a score that doesn’t reflect the offensive gains, the Warriors lost that game 0-48.

The Hawks received the kick-off and immediately got great field position at the Warriors’ 40. They scored a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion in under three minutes. Socorro’s first possession was brief, and a punt gave the Thoreau team excellent field position again. The Hawks took advantage of that as well and quickly put eight more points on the board.

Yet the Warriors bounced back from that and marched right down the field to within the one-yard line. However, a fumble that occurred just inches before the ball crossed the plane for a touchdown turned into a touchback recovery in the end zone by the Hawks instead. The Warriors lost their momentum and the rainy conditions continued.

The Hawks went on to score 16 more in the second quarter, then 16 more in the second half. Another red zone fumble and a failed fourth and goal conversion kept Socorro off the scoreboard.

The Warriors lost their season opener 0-34 to a strong Robertson Cardinals team, who are now 2-0 after shutting out their second opponent as well. The Warriors team drops to 0-2 for the season.

Both Head Coach Derek Smith and starting quarterback Carlos Jacquez, number five, talked about learning experiences and room for improvement. Jacquez, a sophomore starting in his second game ever as quarterback, was completing some passes, running the ball more and taking some hits.

“One of the major things you’re going to work on this week is ball control,” Smith said to Jacquez.

They both remain optimistic for the season.

“We understand that playing these teams is going to get us ready for district. At the end of the day, we didn’t give up on this one either. We kept playing, and we learned the different things that we needed to.” Smith said.

Jacquez said he is looking forward to the next game, which is the homecoming game for the Warriors on September 5.

“Come see us at homecoming next week, and we’ll try to win this time. Sure to turn it around.” Jacquez said.

Coach Smith reminded the players to stay focused through the festivities.

“We still gotta keep focused. We gotta go out there, and we still gotta win that game.” Smith said.

The Warriors will be taking on the Crownpoint Eagles, a 0-2 team.