Bloomfield cruises to state final, aims for rare San Juan County repeat

Bloomfield High School delivered a commanding performance on Saturday at Anaya Field in Taos, beating Taos 62 to 20 to reach the Class 4A state championship. The Bobcats built a 48 to 7 lead by halftime and played under a running clock in the second half, completing their 10th consecutive victory and improving their season mark to 11 wins and 1 loss.

Senior quarterback Manual Chavarria led the offense with more than 200 passing yards, three touchdown passes and two rushing scores in the semifinal. Chavarria finished the season with more than 2,800 passing yards and a state leading 45 touchdown passes across all classifications, a statistical pace that underpins Bloomfield's sustained success this decade. Running back Peyton Duncan contributed to the offensive outburst, while senior defensive playmaker Tayetum Callado recorded multiple interceptions that helped swing momentum early.

Coach Mike Kovacs credited Chavarria's decision making as a defining element of the team's play. "He sees the field so well and he makes good decisions when he's got the opportunity to make plays," Kovacs said.

The win sends Bloomfield to a rematch with St. Pius in the Class 4A final at Nusenda Community Stadium at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Bloomfield is the defending Class 4A champion and is seeking its third state title in four seasons. A repeat would make Bloomfield the first team from San Juan County to win back to back state championships since Kirtland Central's teams in 1963 and 1964.

For local residents the game matters beyond trophies. The Bobcats' run, 23 wins in their last 24 games, has become a focal point of community pride, drawing alumni and families to games and showcasing a high school program that has produced consistent on field results. Success on the football field can also affect school and municipal discussions about youth programs, facilities and travel budgets as interest and attendance grow during postseason runs.

Economically the championship matchup could funnel additional spending into local hospitality and retail when fans travel to Albuquerque for the final, and the visibility may aid fundraising and sponsorship efforts that support athletics and school activities. For young athletes in San Juan County the Bobcats' sustained excellence creates a tangible example of how local programs can compete at a statewide level.

Bloomfield's semifinal performance underscored both elite individual statistics and coordinated team play. With Chavarria's passing totals and a defense that forced turnovers in key moments, the Bobcats enter the title game as a clear favorite to extend a modern era of dominance for the program and to potentially alter the historical narrative of San Juan County high school football.