Stakes raised for Socorro football

By John Severance

SOCORRO -- The second season begins for the Socorro High football team Nov. 21 when it hosts Las Vegas-Robertson at 2 p.m.
Robertson won the regular-season meeting between the two teams, winning 13-6 on Oct. 16.
But this time the stakes are much bigger.
“Robertson is pretty good,” Socorro coach Damien Ocampo said. “Even though we are the third seed, we are picked as the underdog. They already have beaten us and they maybe are a touchdown or two better than us on paper.
“They don’t have any weak spots. They play hard. They are a good football team. Defensively, they are really tough. All in all, they are a really good football team.”
Robertson, which has won eight of its past nine games, scored 34 points in the second half and advanced to the quarterfinal round when it routed Cobre 41-0 last week.
Socorro, meanwhile, has been busy practicing after earning a bye that goes with being a third seed.
And the other good thing about being a third seed means the Warriors get to play at home.
“Not many of us like to travel much,” Ocampo said. “It is nice to play at home. There are not as many distractions playing at home. I really think kids do play with more passion and desire knowing they have the backing of the community. There is definitely a 12th man.”
Socorro has not fared well in the post-season in the past 10 years, winning just two playoff games, according to Ocampo.
The Warriors last won a state championship in football in 1977.

Stakes raised for Socorro football