Santa Fe High Beats Cibola 23-7 in Playoffs
The eighth-seeded Demons hosted their first home playoff game in 41 years, winning at Ivan Head Stadium.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
Santa Fe High defeated Cibola 23-7 in a Class 5A playoff game on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The victory came at Ivan Head Stadium, where the Demons hosted a home playoff game for the first time in 41 years.
Why it matters
The win gives Santa Fe High a playoff result in front of its home crowd for the first time in four decades. It also marks a postseason win over a district rival in the Santa Fe area.
Santa Fe High scored 23 points to Cibola's 7 in a Class 5A playoff game, as an eighth seed. The extraction does not include individual player statistics or yardage totals.
The players
Santa Fe High School
A public high school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, whose football program won a state championship in 1979 and competes in Class 5A.
Cibola High School
A public high school in the Albuquerque area and a district rival of Santa Fe High in Class 5A football.
The details
Santa Fe High ran onto the Ivan Head Stadium turf for a home playoff game against district rival Cibola on a Saturday afternoon. It was the program's first home postseason game in 41 years, and the Demons won 23-7.
Timeline
1979: Santa Fe High won a state championship in football.
41 years before November 7, 2026: Santa Fe High last hosted a home playoff game.
November 7, 2026: Santa Fe High defeated Cibola 23-7 in the playoffs.
Season Trajectory
The victory is the program's first home playoff win in four decades, following a 1979 state championship that remains its last title. The result advances Santa Fe High into the Class 5A playoff bracket.
The win advances Santa Fe High to the next round of the Class 5A bracket, where the Demons will face a higher-seeded opponent. Fans can follow the program's remaining playoff games through the New Mexico Activities Association schedule.
The takeaway
A home playoff game after 41 years reflects a program's long rebuild and gives the Santa Fe community a rare local postseason moment. The result shows how a single winning season can revive interest in high school football.
Further reading
For more on high school competition, see Football coverage across New Mexico.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Fe New Mexican.
