Rise & Grine: Publisher’s Week Six Questions

Well, the headline is new. I almost went with Grinding Grine, but that just didn’t do it for me. Today, we dive into our Week Six questions surrounding New Mexico high school football. Which teams are playoff-bound? Who is the real deal, and who’s already looking ahead to next season?

Has the Bubble Popped?​

Thursday night at Wilson Stadium, the 19th-ranked Atrisco Heritage Jaguars face off against the 25th-ranked Sandia Matadors. The spotlight, however, is on Sandia. Once a preseason top-10 team, the Matadors have struggled to live up to expectations. Their season-opening loss to Piedra Vista set the tone, and while they’ve taken care of some other bubble teams, their playoff hopes remain on shaky ground.

Both teams find themselves in a must-win situation, especially with Atrisco Heritage also teetering on the edge after a devastating 14-12 loss to Albuquerque last week. A win tonight could breathe life back into their playoff hopes, but a loss would likely spell the end for one—or both—teams. The question is, has the bubble already popped, or is there still time for a turnaround?

Who is the Real Contender in District 2-4A?​

What we thought we knew in the preseason has completely shifted by Week 6. No one, not a single soul in this great state, would have predicted that Chaparral and Manzano would be 1-0 after the first week of district play. Chaparral upset Albuquerque Academy, and Manzano stunned Portales. Now, we head into another intriguing matchup on Thursday.

St. Pius X, a preseason favorite to contend for the district championship, faces off against Silver, a team sitting at 2-3 overall and 0-1 in district. The question is: will the Sartans fall victim to the upset trend that has already hit other top teams, or can they establish themselves as the real deal? Injuries have slowed St. Pius X, but a well-timed bye week may have given them the recovery they needed to refocus on the season ahead.

Valencia, meanwhile, lurks as another contender, boasting a 4-1 record overall and 1-0 in district play. With so many surprises so far, will the real favorite in District 2-4A please stand up?

Who Will Reign in Southeastern New Mexico: Cats or Dogs?​

Oh boy, we’ve got a good one brewing in southeastern New Mexico! It’s going to be raining cats and dogs. It’s blue vs. orange. The scoreboard operator better be ready for a long night, and the stat guy better have his pencil sharpened. This is perhaps the game of the week—maybe even the game of the season.

The 10th-ranked Artesia Bulldogs (3-2 overall) are making the trip to Lovington to take on the undefeated 7th-ranked Wildcats (5-0 overall). Lovington has been doubted before, picked against more than once this season—but is this the final regular-season question they have to answer? Both teams boast high-powered offenses, and we’re in for an offensive showdown.

Lovington is averaging over 370 total yards per game—259 passing and 113 rushing. Artesia, much like Lovington, is known for their aerial assault, racking up 435 total yards per game, with 314 of those through the air. With both teams firing on all cylinders offensively, this could turn into the longest game of the season, with the clock stopping on nearly every play.

The quarterback battle is one to watch, with Izac Cazares leading the way for Artesia and Matthew Prudencio for Lovington. Both are first-year starters for their storied programs, and both are thriving. Could this game be a preview of the QB of the Year conversation in 5A football?

One thing’s for sure—southeastern New Mexico is in for a treat.

Grine's Trio of Must-Watch Matchups Tonight

No. 13 Rio Grande (5-6) vs. No. 14 Volcano Vista (5-4), 6pm:
This rematch between Rio Grande and Volcano Vista is shaping up to be a fierce battle. The Ravens upset the Hawks just over a week ago in the APS Metro Championship, taking a nail-biting 5th set 16-14 to advance to the final. Playing on their home court this time, Rio Grande will look to replicate that magic. Bella Shae, Sophia Lopez, and Crystal Gutierrez will lead the charge for the Ravens. Meanwhile, the Hawks, driven by Skylar Schwartz's impressive 110 kills this season, will be seeking redemption. Ava Wrolstad, Breanna Maestas, and Adriana Zavala will need to step up if Volcano Vista hopes to flip the script.

No. 9 St. Michael's (7-3) at No. 7 Santa Fe (8-1), 6:30pm:
The longstanding rivalry between St. Michael’s and Santa Fe has been one-sided since 2019, with the Horsemen dominating the Demons. But this year could finally be Santa Fe’s time. Off to a blistering 8-1 start, the Demons are looking like legitimate contenders. Aleena Hubbard, Makayla Gonzales, Nicole Sallee, and Lillianna Ocampo have been outstanding, and they'll be hungry to break their losing streak against St. Michael’s. However, the Horsemen, despite a tough loss to 4th ranked St. Pius X last night, remain a powerhouse in 3A volleyball. Marissa Sandoval-Moya, one of the state’s top players, alongside Maya Pino and Victoria Victorino, will be formidable opponents as they aim for a three-peat.

No. 12 Albuquerque Academy (7-2) at No. 10 Rio Rancho (6-2), 6:30pm:
This first meeting between Albuquerque Academy and Rio Rancho promises to be a high-caliber matchup. The Rams, led by Jacey Mader, Sanieda Trejo, Alyssa Dominiguez, and defensive anchor Reece Cave, who boasts 126 digs and 137 receptions this season, are looking to solidify their top-10 status. Albuquerque Academy’s rising stars, freshman Kiara Brown and sophomore Sadie Jorgensen, will be pivotal in countering Rio Rancho's firepower. This match has all the ingredients for a back-and-forth thriller.

Note: NMPreps rankings are from Sept 19 and subject to change before this evenings games.

Key Players from Week 6 (Sept 23-28)

*****WEEK SIX SCOREBOARD (SEPT 23-28)*****

Monday
Capital 3, Espanola Valley 0
Gateway Christian 3, Tatum 1
McCurdy 3, Coronado 0
Mesa Vista 3, Dulce 2
Roswell 3, Portales 1
St. Pius X 3, St. Michael's 1

Tuesday
Belen 3, Moriarty 0 - F
Capital 3, Los Alamos 0 - F
Centennial 3, Deming 0 - F
Chaparral 3, Gadsden 0 - F
Cleveland 3, Sandia 0 - F
Cottonwood Classical 3, Socorro.0 - F
Crownpoint 3, Bloomfield 2 - F
Dexter 3, Eunice 0 - F
Goddard 3, Clovis 2 - F
Grady 3, San Jon 0 - F
Hondo Valley 3, Lake Arthur 2 - F
Hope Christian 3, Pojoaque Valley 0 - F
Immanuel Christian TX 3, Mesilla Valley 0 - F
Jal 3, Dora 1 - F
Manzano 3, Highland 0 - F
Melrose 3, Santa Rosa 0 - F
Mountainair 3, Evangel Christian 1 - F
NMMI 3, Mescalero Apache 0 - F
NMSD 3, Coronado 0 - F
Pagosa Springs CO 3, Kirtland Central 0 - F
Quemado 3, Wingate 0 - F
Questa 3, Monte Del Sol 0 - F
Santa Fe 3, St. Michael's 1 - F
Santa Fe Indian 3, Estancia 0 - F
Silver 3, Tularosa 0 - F
Valley 3, Atrisco Heritage 0 - F
Vega TX 3, Portales 2 - F
Volcano Vista 3, Rio Grande 0 - F

Poll: Most Likely to Upset in Week 6?

What do you have this week?

Thursday, September 26th
Grady 56, New Mexico School for the Deaf 6 - F
Loving 44, JV Team 0 - F
Sandia 52, Atrisco Heritage 14 - F
St. Pius X 14, Silver 6 - F

Friday, September 27th

Artesia 57, Lovington 21 - F
Bernalillo 21, Española 20 - F/OT
Bloomfield 55, Taos 0 - F
Capital 48, Rio Grande 6 - F
Carlsbad 56, Clovis 8 - F
Dexter 38, Ruidoso 0 - F
Dulce 60, Alamo Navajo 42 - F
Eldorado 22, Santa Fe High 16 - F
Escalante 24, Questa 8 - F
Ft Sumner 58, Menual 6 - F
Gadsden 34, Goddard 0 - F
Gateway 56, Mescalero Apache 20 - F
Grants 28, Aztec 6 - F
Hobbs 49, Alamogordo 21 - F
La Cueva 48, West Mesa 14 - F
Las Cruces 55, Organ Mountain 7 - F
Logan 52, Floyd 0 - F
Los Alamos 55, Del Norte 12 - F
Melrose 56, Mesilla Valley Christian 12 - F
Miyamura 35, Belen 21 - F
Navajo Pine 48, Northwest 0 - F
Navajo Prep 44, Laguna-Acoma 38 - F
NMMI 42, Cobre 0 - F
Portales 34, Valencia 21 - F
Robertson 51, Tularosa 0 - F
Roswell 47, Santa Teresa 0 - F
Roy/Mosquero 26, Dora 20 - F
St Michael's 40, Raton 7 - F
Socorro 34, Hatch Valley 7 - F
Tatum 56, Hagerman 22 - F
Texico 24, West Las Vegas 14 - F
Thoreau 50, Gallup 0 - F
Tohatchi 43, Crownpoint 18 - F
Zuni 42, Wingate 36 - F

Carrizozo at Mountainair (Missing Score)
Elida at Whiteface TX (Missing Score)
Hozho Academy at Cuba (Missing Score)
Magdalena at Animas (Missing Score)
Piedra Vista at Canyon TX (Missing Score)
Shiprock at Montezuma-Cortez (Missing Score)

Saturday, September 28th
Chaparral (2-3) at Manzano (4-1), 1pm
Cloudcroft (1-3) at Clayton (3-1), 1pm
Deming (3-2) at Mayfield (2-3), 10am
Newcomb (4-1) at McCurdy (2-2), 11am
Santa Fe Indian (1-4) at Hope Christian (2-3), 5pm
Valley (1-4) at Highland (2-3), 11am
Whitehorse UT (3-2) at Pine Hill (1-2), 2pm

6A FOOTBALL

1. La Cueva 4-0
2. Centennial 5-0
3. Cleveland 4-1
4. Volcano Vista 4-1
5. Las Cruces 3-2
6. Rio Rancho 3-2
7. Hobbs 2-3
8. Los Lunas 3-1
9. West Mesa 2-2
10. Eldorado 2-2
11. Farmington 3-2
12. Carlsbad 2-3
13. Albuquerque 4-1
14. Atrisco Heritage 1-3
15. Organ Mountain 2-3
16. Alamogordo 1-4
17. Piedra Vista 1-3
18. Sandia 2-3
19. Cibola 2-3
20. Santa Fe 2-3
21. Clovis 0-4

5A FOOTBALL

1. Lovington 5-0
2. Roswell 3-1
3. Artesia 3-2
4. Deming 3-2
5. Gadsden 4-1
6. Mayfield 2-3
7. Goddard 2-3
8. Belen 2-2
9. Valley 1-3
10. Los Alamos 1-3
11. Capital 1-4
12. Highland 2-3
13. Miyamura 2-3
14. Santa Teresa 1-4
15. Rio Grande 0-4
16. Del Norte 0-5

4A FOOTBALL

1. Bloomfield 4-0
2. Bernalillo 4-0
3. St. Pius X 2-2
4. Manzano 4-1
5. Portales 2-3
6. Taos 3-1
7. Espanola Valley 5-0
8. Valencia 4-1
9. Moriarty 2-3
10. Grants 2-3
11. Kirtland Central 1-4
12. Aztec 0-4
13. Chaparral 2-3
14. Albuquerque Academy 2-3
15. Silver 2-3

3A FOOTBALL

1. St. Michael's 5-0
2. Robertson 5-0
3. New Mexico Military 3-1
4. Dexter 5-0
5. West Las Vegas 3-2
6. Socorro 4-1
7. Pojoaque Valley 4-1
8. Hatch Valley 3-2
9. Hope Christian 2-3
10. Cobre 2-3
11. Hot Springs 3-2
12. Ruidoso 0-4
13. Thoreau 2-2
14. Santa Fe Indian 1-4
15. Tucumcari 1-4
16. Crownpoint 2-3
17. Tohatchi 2-2
18. Gallup 0-5
19. Wingate 0-4
20. Shiprock 0-3
21. Zuni 1-3

2A FOOTBALL

1. Texico 4-0
2. Eunice 4-1
3. Raton 2-2
4. Santa Rosa 2-2
5. Legacy Academy 5-0
6. Loving 4-1
7. Tularosa 3-2
8. McCurdy 2-2
9. Jal 2-3
10. Estancia 0-4
11. Navajo Prep 3-1
12. Newcomb 4-1
13. Laguna-Acoma 2-2
14. Hozho Academy 3-2
15. Cuba 0-5
16. Capitan 0-4

Week 6 New Mexico High School Football Rankings: Movers and Shakers

The Week 6 rankings bring significant movement, with teams rising and falling after pivotal matchups. Let’s dive into the movers and shakers of the week.

Dropping Out of the Top-10:​

West Mesa Mustangs (2-2), after starting the season strong, suffered a significant slide from No. 9 to No. 13. Their 54-21 loss to Los Lunas (3-1) dropped the Mustangs in the polls this week. The Tigers, however, made the most of their opportunity, jumping from No. 13 to No. 12 with the statement win.

Albuquerque High Bulldogs (4-1) traded spots with Atrisco Heritage Jaguars (1-3) after a tight 14-12 victory. This win elevates the Bulldogs to No. 18, while the Jaguars slide to No. 19. Meanwhile, Organ Mountain (2-3) notched an 18-12 win over Alamogordo (1-4), pushing the Knights from No. 31 to No. 22, earning their first top-25 ranking this season. Gadsden (No. 20), Mayfield (No. 21), and Alamogordo (No. 23) saw shuffling in the 20s, with Piedra Vista slipping to No. 24 after being idle. Sandia Matadors fell to No. 25 with the shake up and Cibola Cougars dropped out of the top-25, landing at No. 26 despite a narrow win over Clovis.

Big Winners:​

Manzano Monarchs and Chaparral Lobos had standout performances this week. Manzano scored a major win over Portales, 40-20, marking their biggest victory in five years and making a strong case for a district title. Chaparral, a team that began the season on a 32-game losing streak, earned their second win of the season with a 44-20 triumph over Albuquerque Academy. The win was historic, placing the Lobos at 2-3 overall and 1-0 in district play. Conversely, Albuquerque Academy experienced the biggest fall of the season, dropping from No. 49 to No. 62.

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What do you have? Ours will post later today.