A Season of Expectations
The Cleveland Storm are gearing up for a campaign that could cement their place in state history. After capturing two consecutive championships and standing on the podium five times in the past six seasons, the team enters the new year with the ambition of achieving a historic three‑peat.
Head coach Robert Garza says the drive is rooted in tradition and personal pride rather than external pressure. "We play for the legacy we’ve built and for the love of the game," he explained, emphasizing that the squad’s focus is internal.
Senior wide receiver Evan Nanez, who topped the team in receiving yards as a sophomore and was part of back‑to‑back title runs, declares the Storm the best squad in the state. "We expect to be back in the championship game," he said, his confidence echoing the team’s recent dominance.
The Storm’s recent record underscores that confidence. They have dropped only two games in the last two seasons, and despite losing last year’s starting quarterback Jordan Hatch — now committed to NMSU — and ten defensive starters, the roster retains experienced varsity players who continue to gel.
The season opener is set for Friday night at home against Centennial High School, a matchup that will test the team’s chemistry early and set the tone for the weeks ahead.