PHOTOS: Cleveland outlasts Rio Rancho 28-27 to clinch District 1-6A title

Cleveland overcame a 20-0 halftime deficit against crosstown rival Rio Rancho to win a 28-27 thriller Friday at RRHS, securing the District 1-6A football title and a 10-0 regular-season record in the process.

Cleveland also won its sixth straight game against Rio Rancho (7-1).

CHS and RRHS will now see where they’ll be seeded in the 6A state football playoffs.

To read more about the game, pick up a copy of Sunday’s Observer.

Descriptions for each photo are listed below, starting with the first one on the screen:
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Rio Rancho takes the field to face Cleveland in a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland takes the field to face Rio Rancho in a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland’s Josiah Hernandez returns a punt against Rio Rancho’s Michael Wood (11) during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland’s Ethan Duran picks up a first down fighting for extra yards against Rio Rancho’s Isaiah Padilla (20) during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Rio Rancho’s Dominick Priddy runs up the middle against Cleveland during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland’s Lucious Dickson is stopped just behind the goal line against Rio Rancho during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland’s Lucious Dickson runs down the right side against Rio Rancho during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Rio Rancho’s Zach Vigil breaks free and picks up a first down against Cleveland during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Rio Rancho’s Lucas Lucero tackles Cleveland’s Nic Trujillo and drags him out of bounds during a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland’s Connor Macias (65) gets the Storm fans fired up during a key CHS possession against Rio Rancho in a District 1-6A football game on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS.

Cleveland celebrates defeating Rio Rancho 28-27 on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at RRHS en route to a 10-0 regular season and the District 1-6A title. Cleveland also extended its winning streak against Rio Rancho to six games.

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Photos by Rio Rancho Observer staff writer Matt Hollinshead.