...cause I wanna be a cowboy, bay-bee"
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Chadron State (5-2 overall, 4-1 RMAC) is on track to contend for another gridiron title, having beaten preseason favorite Nebraska-Kearney 23-22 recently. For New Mexico Highlands (3-4, 1-3) to have a shot at the gold, the Cowboys would have to win its four remaining games...and have at least six other contests decided a certain way.
Two seasons ago, NMHU scheduled CSC as a homecoming opponent and won in a 31-28 nailbiter when Cesar Perez kicked a 38-yard field goal with no time left. Then, the 'Pokes had a legitimate shot at the league crown, and while the Chadron win was huge, they eventually came up short.
This year, it's gut-check time for the Cowboys, who have little to lose this time around. And a strong performance, win or lose, would do wonders for a young team that coach Steve DaPrato calls "road-weary and extremely banged-up" by a rigorous first-half schedule.
Highlands has caught some tough breaks, mainly through key turnovers and execution breakdown on third down plays, in recent weeks. A week after coming within five points of an upset of Western State, the 'Pokes performed well but lost to an overachieving Colorado Mines team, 27-23, in Golden, Colo.
To have a shot at grounding the Eagles, NMHU must forget those tough breaks and focus on every play this weekend.
Justin Levine, NMHU's kicker/punter, earned his second RMAC Player of the Week award of the season for his work in Highlands' 39-26 loss at Western State.
Levine averaged 44.8 yards in five punts, made both his field goal attempts (32, 38) and was two for three on extra-point attempts.
Levine, who was recognized by the league two weeks prior, gives NMHU its third RMAC Player of the Week honor of the year, all on special teams. Robert Castillo was honored in week one.