New Mexico High School Football Friday Night Preview
NMPreps daily guide to the New Mexico high school football landscape. What games are potential playoff games? Who is in a must-win situation? #nmpreps
KEY GAMES
Albuquerque Academy (3-1) at Capital (2-2): A week after the 4A favorite lost to Bloomfield the Albuquerque Academy Chargers have a test against 6A Capital. The Chargers feature weapons on offense and we are waiting to see them play to that potential. Capital is our unknown in 6A. Had a shot at a bubble playoff spot. The loss last week could have popped the bubble. I still like really liked Julian Munoz (2023/QB).
Artesia (3-1) at Cleveland (3-1): We've hit on this game this week and it will only help the winner. Nye Estrada (Artesia) and Evan Wysong (Cleveland) are likely Quarterback of the Year candidates. Both teams have the potential to put points up in a hurry and we should expect this one to have an over/under of about 72.5. Scoreboard operator... you better have full attention. Both teams are averaging over 40 points per game.
Bernalillo (2-1) at Moriarty (3-1): Playoffs? Yep, this one is for position at the table. Moriarty enters this contest sitting around an 8 or 9-seed. Bernalillo is at 10 but battling for a better spot. (Week 5 Playoff Projections). Michael Ash (Bernalillo) made headlines in week 4 breaking a single game tackles record with 27. Stopping Moriarty's rushing attack of Santiago Chavez (2024), Michael Magoffe (2023), Matthew Romero and Amare Gonzales (2024) is going to be a big task.
Carlsbad (2-2) at Roswell (3-1): This one will be fun. Hard hitting. Regional game with some hype. Carlsbad could use this game for their overall criteria resume in a few ways, especially if Roswell could win the district. Roswell playing a difficult pre-district schedule for a run at a DC. A new name that could be on the Mr. Football finalist list is Eli Asay (Carlsbad).
Deming (1-3) at Belen (1-3): The Deming Wildcats look to avenge a playoff loss last season but also searching for a resume win. They enter the contest on a three game losing streak but are battle test behind games against Artesia, Goddard, and Organ Mountain. Belen, in a similar situation, but is more in the "need a win" column after losing 42-7 to a 7 to 13 seed range team in Valley last week. A loss here could have either team potentially looking at a 1-6 record entering district play.
Eldorado (0-4) at Clovis (0-4): For the first time this season one of these teams will finish the evening on the winning side. 2024 DB Mark Pacheco (Eldorado) is the dude to know in this contest, he leads the Golden Eagles with 39-total tackles.
La Cueva (3-1) at Los Lunas (2-2): Quarterback Paul Cieremans returned last week for Los Lunas and passed for 135-yards, he'll need to carry them. La Cueva has one of the better defensive units - Nick Mertz (2025), Hunter Roswold (2023), Mason Posa (2025), and Colt Mangino (2023) -- in the state.
Lordsburg (4-0) at Melrose (2-2): When it comes to 8-man football, tonight we have the playoff preview. The Mavericks enter the game with a perfect 4-0 record and looking to make claim as the top squad in the class. Melrose spent the season split between Colorado and New Mexico -- played Mancos, CO (L, 46-8) and Dove Creek, CO (L, 64-34).
Magdalena (3-1) at Fort Sumner (2-0): Two of the top teams in 8-man football will do battle tonight. This one has the potentially to light up the scoreboard quickly. Over/Under set at 90. Joaquin Segura (Fort Sumner) was a stud last season as a sophomore and is the guy we will look to lead them tonight.
Mayfield (2-2) at Las Cruces (0-3): This game was once the talk of the week. Bragging rights are still there and the town is still excited this one. Las Cruces is in need of a win. Mayfield, now in 5A, could use the win. Both defenses are giving up points this season.
Santa Teresa (2-2) at Valencia (1-2): This game helps in the rating section of the criteria ("rank"). Santa Teresa is in the hunt for a top-8 seed in 5A football and will help solidify their spot before district play -- every win counts. Jack Bumgardner (2024) has quietly put up over 1000 total yards (rushing and passing) for the Desert Warriors this season.
Rio Rancho (3-1) at Hobbs (4-0): The first true test for the Hobbs Eagles. Well, that's what some think but the Eagles have played a top-5 schedule in our opinion. This one gives it a 6A resume game though. The Eagles are a slight favorite behind studs Omar Argott (QB) and Kenyon Singleton (LB). Rio Rancho is quietly taking care of business however, entering the game on a three game win streak. Big question -- will the Rio Rancho offense match the Eagles offense?
Riverside, TX (3-0) at Alamogordo (3-1): The Tigers of Alamogordo are off to one of their better starts to a season. They will need the defensive until led by Ryan Stovall (2023) to stop a balanced attack by Riverside (TX) -- 268 rushing yards per game/223 passing yards per game.
Ruidoso (3-1) at Cobre (1-3): We have a District IV vs District III battle in 3A football. If you notice this weeks playoff projections and it shouldn't be a contest. Can Cobre make it a game? Will Ruidoso behind Cooper Pritchett (2023), Kaden Sago (2023), and Logan Sandoval (2024) shut the door early? Ruidoso is a heavy favorite but looking to see if the Cobre Indians can show some fight behind a fairly talented 2024 class. Eric Harrington (2024) anchors the defense for the Indians.
Volcano Vista (3-1) at Sandia (2-1): Sandia has 2-wins in the bubble resume and now they have an opportunity to notch a seed resume win. Volcano Vista is coming off their first loss of the season but this could be a major bounce back game with their offense threats in Alijah Gonzales (RB) and company.
West Mesa (2-2) at Atrisco Heritage (3-1): Bubble game. Elijah Brody, Zebadiah Thompson from West Mesa. Myles Lane, Marquise Renfro, and Dean Marquez from Atrisco Heritage. Has this game ever had this much hype or next level talent? No, no it has not.
NMPreps daily guide to the New Mexico high school football landscape. What games are potential playoff games? Who is in a must-win situation? #nmpreps
KEY GAMES
Albuquerque Academy (3-1) at Capital (2-2): A week after the 4A favorite lost to Bloomfield the Albuquerque Academy Chargers have a test against 6A Capital. The Chargers feature weapons on offense and we are waiting to see them play to that potential. Capital is our unknown in 6A. Had a shot at a bubble playoff spot. The loss last week could have popped the bubble. I still like really liked Julian Munoz (2023/QB).
Artesia (3-1) at Cleveland (3-1): We've hit on this game this week and it will only help the winner. Nye Estrada (Artesia) and Evan Wysong (Cleveland) are likely Quarterback of the Year candidates. Both teams have the potential to put points up in a hurry and we should expect this one to have an over/under of about 72.5. Scoreboard operator... you better have full attention. Both teams are averaging over 40 points per game.
Bernalillo (2-1) at Moriarty (3-1): Playoffs? Yep, this one is for position at the table. Moriarty enters this contest sitting around an 8 or 9-seed. Bernalillo is at 10 but battling for a better spot. (Week 5 Playoff Projections). Michael Ash (Bernalillo) made headlines in week 4 breaking a single game tackles record with 27. Stopping Moriarty's rushing attack of Santiago Chavez (2024), Michael Magoffe (2023), Matthew Romero and Amare Gonzales (2024) is going to be a big task.
Carlsbad (2-2) at Roswell (3-1): This one will be fun. Hard hitting. Regional game with some hype. Carlsbad could use this game for their overall criteria resume in a few ways, especially if Roswell could win the district. Roswell playing a difficult pre-district schedule for a run at a DC. A new name that could be on the Mr. Football finalist list is Eli Asay (Carlsbad).
Deming (1-3) at Belen (1-3): The Deming Wildcats look to avenge a playoff loss last season but also searching for a resume win. They enter the contest on a three game losing streak but are battle test behind games against Artesia, Goddard, and Organ Mountain. Belen, in a similar situation, but is more in the "need a win" column after losing 42-7 to a 7 to 13 seed range team in Valley last week. A loss here could have either team potentially looking at a 1-6 record entering district play.
Eldorado (0-4) at Clovis (0-4): For the first time this season one of these teams will finish the evening on the winning side. 2024 DB Mark Pacheco (Eldorado) is the dude to know in this contest, he leads the Golden Eagles with 39-total tackles.
La Cueva (3-1) at Los Lunas (2-2): Quarterback Paul Cieremans returned last week for Los Lunas and passed for 135-yards, he'll need to carry them. La Cueva has one of the better defensive units - Nick Mertz (2025), Hunter Roswold (2023), Mason Posa (2025), and Colt Mangino (2023) -- in the state.
Lordsburg (4-0) at Melrose (2-2): When it comes to 8-man football, tonight we have the playoff preview. The Mavericks enter the game with a perfect 4-0 record and looking to make claim as the top squad in the class. Melrose spent the season split between Colorado and New Mexico -- played Mancos, CO (L, 46-8) and Dove Creek, CO (L, 64-34).
Magdalena (3-1) at Fort Sumner (2-0): Two of the top teams in 8-man football will do battle tonight. This one has the potentially to light up the scoreboard quickly. Over/Under set at 90. Joaquin Segura (Fort Sumner) was a stud last season as a sophomore and is the guy we will look to lead them tonight.
Mayfield (2-2) at Las Cruces (0-3): This game was once the talk of the week. Bragging rights are still there and the town is still excited this one. Las Cruces is in need of a win. Mayfield, now in 5A, could use the win. Both defenses are giving up points this season.
Santa Teresa (2-2) at Valencia (1-2): This game helps in the rating section of the criteria ("rank"). Santa Teresa is in the hunt for a top-8 seed in 5A football and will help solidify their spot before district play -- every win counts. Jack Bumgardner (2024) has quietly put up over 1000 total yards (rushing and passing) for the Desert Warriors this season.
Rio Rancho (3-1) at Hobbs (4-0): The first true test for the Hobbs Eagles. Well, that's what some think but the Eagles have played a top-5 schedule in our opinion. This one gives it a 6A resume game though. The Eagles are a slight favorite behind studs Omar Argott (QB) and Kenyon Singleton (LB). Rio Rancho is quietly taking care of business however, entering the game on a three game win streak. Big question -- will the Rio Rancho offense match the Eagles offense?
Riverside, TX (3-0) at Alamogordo (3-1): The Tigers of Alamogordo are off to one of their better starts to a season. They will need the defensive until led by Ryan Stovall (2023) to stop a balanced attack by Riverside (TX) -- 268 rushing yards per game/223 passing yards per game.
Ruidoso (3-1) at Cobre (1-3): We have a District IV vs District III battle in 3A football. If you notice this weeks playoff projections and it shouldn't be a contest. Can Cobre make it a game? Will Ruidoso behind Cooper Pritchett (2023), Kaden Sago (2023), and Logan Sandoval (2024) shut the door early? Ruidoso is a heavy favorite but looking to see if the Cobre Indians can show some fight behind a fairly talented 2024 class. Eric Harrington (2024) anchors the defense for the Indians.
Volcano Vista (3-1) at Sandia (2-1): Sandia has 2-wins in the bubble resume and now they have an opportunity to notch a seed resume win. Volcano Vista is coming off their first loss of the season but this could be a major bounce back game with their offense threats in Alijah Gonzales (RB) and company.
West Mesa (2-2) at Atrisco Heritage (3-1): Bubble game. Elijah Brody, Zebadiah Thompson from West Mesa. Myles Lane, Marquise Renfro, and Dean Marquez from Atrisco Heritage. Has this game ever had this much hype or next level talent? No, no it has not.
