The Curry County Cats had difficulties with the El Paso Raiders during the New Mexico Premier League regular season, despite a series sweep.

No such problems in the playoffs, as the Cats rolled to a 42-8 victory on Sunday at Leon Williams Stadium.

CMI photo: Kevin Wilson

Curry County Cat receiver J.J. Gross, right, and El Paso Raiders cornerback Miguel Ortiz tip a jump ball in the third quarter of Sunday’s New Mexico Premier League first-round playoff game at Leon Williams Stadium. Gross was able to tip the ball to himself and complete a 48-yard touchdown reception, one of two he had in the Cats’ 42-8 victory.

Curry County took care of business quickly, taking the lead with a three-play drive off the opening kickoff. Manuel Robles followed up a 29-yard Jerrod Long reception by finishing up the drive with a 28-yard burse up the middle for the score.

Quarterback John Props got into the running game, as well, scoring on a 6-yard keeper in his only rush, and threw a pair of touchdowns to J.J. Gross in the next two quarters.

Gross led the Cats with 86 yards receiving on four catches, including a 17-yard touchdown late in the second and a jump ball victory against El Paso’s Miguel Ortiz that turned into a 48-yard score.

The Cats outgained the Raiders 397-240 and got a defensive touchdown to end the second quarter on a 14-yard fumble return by Nicholas Brune.

Cats coach Paul Lopez said the biggest keys to the game were keeping everybody healthy and keeping the turnovers down.

In the first situation, the Cats did lose defensive back Kendale Parker to a knee injury but Lopez expects Parker to return against the Titans.

In the latter scenario, Curry County had an interception and a lost fumble, but both took place with a 35-point lead already secured.

With a similar focus, Lopez feels the Cats will have a decent chance at an upset.

“The games we’ve lost and been close in, we’ve had four or five turnovers,” Lopez said. “We’re going to go to Albuquerque and play a good team. We’ve got to be better next week.”

CMI photo: Drew Hatley

Curry County Cats defender Drew Hatley takes down El Paso Raiders receiver Jake Escarsega in the third quarter of Sunday’s first-round New Mexico Premier League playoff game at Leon Williams Stadium. The Cats defeated the Raiders 42-8.

Brian Mead ended the scoring with an 8-yard run in the final minute for Curry County.

The other NMPL semifinal, in Bernalillo, will pit the host Miners against the Albuquerque Wolfpack, who advanced due to a forfeit from the Albuquerque Blackhawks.