The Sandies kicked off their first home game competing with the 6A New Mexico State Champion Cleveland Storm September 2.

Momentum started off in the Sandie direction taking an early lead 7-6 in the first quarter due to a missed PAT (point after touchdown) attempt by the Storm. After a late first quarter score by Cleveland putting them up 13-7 a total defensive takeover would ensue, another score would not happen until 9 minutes left in the second quarter by senior Jameson Garcia who took a pass 56 yards into the endzone putting the Sandies up 14-13.

Cleveland quickly answered back with a score of their own 2 minutes later with a rushing touchdown putting them back up 20-14. All the momentum turned to Cleveland after a short drive by the Sandies resulting in no points the storm took advantage of this getting in the endzone another time before half taking a dominant 27-14 lead.
However junior, Pius Vokes, refused to go down without a fight, answering back early in the third with a touchdown of his own keeping the Sandies back in the game 21-27.

“It gave our team a boost of momentum and helped our offense come back into the game,” Vokes said.

Cleveland would not let up however, scoring the next drive keeping the game just out of the Sandies reach 34-21. However that boost of momentum was real when Garcia hauled in a 82 yard bomb into the endzone keeping the game tight going into the 4th quarter, 34-28.

That would be the last touchdown the Sandies would score ending the game with only 30 points after only receiving points off a safety. Cleveland would take control in the end finishing with the win 47-30.