JAL – Deee-fense! Deee-fense! Defense? Wait, what? Yes, defense dictated Saturday’s state 2A football championship game between Jal and Eunice, despite having two of the county’s most explosive offensive players – the Cardinals’ Conagher Pierce and the Panthers’ Alexavier Carreon – on the field. And once the Cardinals’ offense was able to chip away a bit in the fourth quarter, …

The Eunice football program has 15 state title banners hanging in the rafters, the third most in state history (first in 1957 and the most recent last season), 24 championship appearances the second most in New Mexico history, is currently tied for sixth place with 11 other schools for consecutive state championships at three (including an active current three-peat streak), …