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A thunderstorm prevented Texico and Dexter from finishing their business when the teams met Aug. 29.
Since then, both teams have rolled to 11-0 records. They’ll meet for the Class 2A state championship at 1 p.m. today in Dexter.
Texico, playing in its second consecutive 2A final, advanced by pulling out a 28-21 overtime win at Santa Rosa last week while the Demons handled Lordsburg 24-8 at home.
“I figured we’d see them in the playoffs; I just didn’t know when we’d meet them,” Texico coach Mike Prokop said. “We’re just very fortunate we were able to get by last week.”
Dexter led the early-season meeting 7-0 and Texico had the ball inside the Demons’ 10-yard line when play was called after one quarter due to lightning.
Wolverines senior quarterback-linebacker Brett Anderson said the short time the teams played helps in getting ready for this game.
“You know the kind of speed they have and where they’re going to hit the holes,” he said. “We’ve just got to come out and play our game. It’s all going to be about ball control for us.”
Last year, the teams met in the semifinals at Texico, with the Wolverines scoring a touchdown and a 2-point conversion late to pull out a 15-14 win. It was Dexter’s only loss of the season.
Prokop said he understands the Demons will be motivated by that setback.
“We’re looking for a good game,” he said. “(Dexter) coach (Tim) Fuller and his staff will be well-prepared. And they’ve got a little revenge factor going in.”
The Demons, though, will have to work around the loss of senior running back Sonny Duran, who broke his leg in a 69-7 rout of Capitan in the quarterfinal round. Prokop said he expects junior Dan Fuller to pick up much of the load.
“They’re just big and fast,” Prokop said. “We’ve got good team speed, but we’re not as fast as they are.”
Both teams will try to control the ball with their ground games, Anderson said, adding that he doesn’t mind running it himself.
“The linebacker comes out in me sometimes and I just want to run over people,” the 6-foot-4, 190-pounder said. “I’m sure they’ll be gunning for us, but it goes both ways. We lost (in) the state championship (game) last year, and we want it this year.”
Traveling isn’t a concern, either, he added.
“We’ve won a couple of big games on the road this year,” Anderson said. “I don’t think that’ll bother us too much.”
TEXICO GAMEDAY
Texico (11-0) at Dexter (11-0)
When: 1 p.m. today for the Class 2A state championship.
Last week: Texico rallied to beat Santa Rosa 28-21 in overtime at Santa Rosa; Dexter won at home over Lordsburg 24-8.
Dexter players to watch: Tim Regalado, QB-OLB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Dan Fuller, RB-FS, 6-2, 182, Jr.; Joe Bowles, RB-OLB, 5-10, 145, Sr.
Of note: Regalado rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win. He also had a key interception deep in Demons territory late in the game to secure the win. … In a 69-7 quarterfinal rout of Capitan, Dexter outgained the Tigers 520-139 and also forced eight turnovers — including a school-record seven interceptions. … The Demons have outscored their 11 foes this season 425-73. The closest game was a 6-0 win at Santa Rosa. … This is Texico coach Mike Prokop’s seventh trip to a state final in nine seasons at Texico. The Wolverines were Class 1A champions in 2003 and 2004.
— Compiled by Dave Wagner
