Matadors rolling on big playoff win

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A sign is posted outside the Sandia High School football practice facility that reads "Close Your Mind To Football."

The Matadors of late have certainly lived up to those words of wisdom and have been chosen the KRQE Team of the Week.

After an 0-3 start and losing four of their first five games, the Matadors regrouped to finish second in District 2-5A and make the New Mexico Class 5A playoffs as the No. 10 seed.

Sandia opened the playoffs Saturday on the road with a convincing 38-14 victory over defending state champion Las Cruces.

"To go down there and beat the defending state champs was big for our program, our community," Sandia coach Kevin Barker said. "Our school's very fired up, and we feel good about doing that type of thing."

"The coaches just put a great energy in us and a will to succeed," Matadors linebacker Seth McVey said.

Sandia will face the second-seeded Manzano Monarchs on Saturday in a Class 5A quarterfinal game at Wilson Stadium.

"I'm sure they bring some power; they bring some great passing offense," Matadors quarterback Jordan Ratliffe said. "They've got a lot of key players, and we've got to keep an eye on and play too."

"We're going to have to be really good on offense to succeed," Barker added.