How many games should a regular season have in NMHSF?

Who do you have? Regardless of classification or position.

Favorite pre-game meal?

What current high school coach would do well at WNMU?

Has to be one of the best NM high school players of all time. Might not be in many record books because he came late from basketball every year. Combine what he did at the plate and on the mound he has to be right there. Still he best curve ball I have ever seen in person from a high schooler. He did it right!

Open as of today

Marty Zeller retires from LLHS

3A Preseason Rankings: District 1-3A Preview

Teams: Navajo Prep, Newcomb, Tohatchi, Zuni

NMPreps will highlight each district before the 2021 New Mexico high school football season.

Projected Order of Finish

Tohatchi Cougars (5-0 overall)
The Cougars were expected to be solid last year and they went a perfect 5-0 during the Spring. Can that carry them over to this Fall though is the major question. The Cougars will have a new QB this Fall with a nice weapon in Bradley BItisie (2022).

Navajo Prep Eagles (Did not play)
Well, the Eagles haven't played a football games since 2019 and could be in for a long season. The good news for the Eagles would be in quarterback Dontrell Denesto (2022) who started as a sophomore for the Eagles back in 19. The Eagles last went 5-5 overall back in 2019 and finished 2-1 in district play.

Newcomb Skyhawks (0-4 overall)
The Skyhawks were projected to have a rebuilding year, add in the pandemic and the Skyhawks struggled their way to an 0-4 season during the Spring. More bad news for the Skyhawks will be a big graduating class that left in 2021 and they will be very inexperienced when this season kicks-off.

Zuni Thunderbirds (Did not play)
The Thunderbirds were another school that opted to not play this Spring. This could be another long build for a school that once had to forfeit a season because a lack of players. However, they returned strong and made a playoff push in 2019.

3A Preseason Rankings: District 2-3A Preview

NMPreps will continue to release our preseason team rankings for each classification in New Mexico high school football. We are less than a month away from the first game and we get you started.

In 3A, we will release the rankings by district previews followed by ranking all 21-teams in the classification.

Perhaps the best district in 3A football in terms of quality of programs. We could see potential four of the five schools earning a bid or arguing for a bid at the state tournament.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

1) St. Michael's Horsemen (2020 Record - 3-0 overall)
Scoop: The St. Michael's Horsemen went a perfect 3-0 during the short Spring season and most argue if they didn't have to sit out a game they could have played for the 3A Bowl Championship held at UNM. Regardless, the St. Michael's Horsemen are a contender to watch this season and in large part is because of quarterback Lucas Coriz (2022). For Coriz, he is wildly under the radar (mostly because of limited information out on him like other top recruited QBs in the state) but is one to watch not only in 3A but in the state. The Horsemen go as far as the star QB will take them and that could be far.

2) Robertson Cardinals (2020 Record - 0-0 overall)
Scoop: I've made the claim that programs that went silent in 2020/21 will have some major hurdles to climb and could take a major step back. The step back is small for the Cardinals, which have recently been the top dawg in this district, but it's a step back after going 10-2 during the 2019 season (4-0 in district). This is the thing with Robertson though, they have one of the top head coaches in New Mexico in Leroy Gonzalez. More good news for the Cardinals? They return a top-level athlete in Matthew Gonzalez (2022) who passed for 1,208-yards (18 TDs), and rushed for another 954-yards (8-TDs) as a sophomore back in 2019. Look for a battle for this DC - hopefully, they'll play the final game against each other.

3) Raton Tigers (2020 Record - 2-2 overall)
Scoop: The Tigers are hoping for a breakthrough during the 2021 season. After going 2-2 last season and making progress forward, the Tory Giacomo led Tigers, welcome back most of their production from the last two years. Expectations couldn't be higher for the Tigers. Senior quarterback Dylan Quartieri (2022) returns after tossing for nearly 500-yards and 7 touchdowns in the Spring. The other name most of becoming aware of is that of Cayden Walton (2023) a junior running back that rushed for 664-yards during the short 2021 spring season. The other name in a trio of top-ranked players is that of Matthew Quartieri (2022), a 6-foot-3 Middle Linebacker who is a next-level player. In just about any other district the Tigers would be a favorite to win the district, but here they have 2/3 teams that they must battle with that are yearly title contenders.

4) West Las Vegas Dons (2020 Record - 0-0 overall)
Scoop: The Dons, like their crosstown rival Robertson, haven't had football since 2019 and the re-start of their programs could come with a slower than normal pace. If you remember back in 2019 as well the Dons featured a top-ranked quarterback and featured 7-wins. The biggest storyline for the Dons could be in the form of running back Damian Gallegos (2022) who rushed for 773-yards (8TDs) and 215-receiving yards as a sophomore in 2019. His return would give them an option in the backfield as they get some experience to a completely new quarterback to varsity level football. The Dons are a bit of a mystery heading into this season and we won't know a lot about them until August 20th, their opener against Moriarty. The thing we know is (and contradicts our projected finish) don't sleep on a well-coached Adrian Gonzales program - regardless if they need to rebuild/restart.

5) Santa Fe Indian Braves (2020 Record - 0-0 overall)
Scoop: The Braves program and the entire school closed doors during the 2020/2021 school year. Now, they are off to a completely new start with a new head coach in Bill Moon, the longtime Capital head coach. The Braves would be a school that would benefit from a classification alignment based on competition level, as would the others they play in non-district. The Braves went 4-1 in non-district play but when they hit districts they continue to struggle against the bigger and more established football powers - above. They went 0-4 in 2019 and were outscored 214-22, the season before in 2018 they went 0-4 and were outscored 189-7. The Braves will battle and do well under HC Moon but it could be a long road ahead.

Related
6A Preseason Rankings
5A Preseason Rankings
4A Preseason Rankings: District 3-4A
4A Preseason Rankings: District 4-4A
3A Preseason Rankings: District 3-3A

3A Rankings: District 3-3A Preseason Watch

NMPreps will continue to release team rankings for each classification in New Mexico high school football. We are less than two months away from the first game and we get you started. In 3A, we will release by district and then with ranking all 21-teams in the classification.

A tough district that features the Socorro Warriors who went undefeated and won the 3A "Elite" Bowl game at the University of New Mexico this Spring. They'll again be featured as a favorite in the classification. The others Hatch Valley, Cobre, and Hot Springs will all be improved, and we could see 3 or 4 bids coming from the district.

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

(#1) Socorro Warriors (record last season: 5-0 overall, 2-0 district)
Scoop: Without surprise, the Socorro Warriors will again be the favorite coming out of this district. The Warriors went 5-0 last season and flexed in the 3A Elite Bowl held at the University of New Mexico, defeating Dexter High School, 48-14. The Warriors need to replace Nathaniel Fresquez (QB) and Michael McDaniel (WR). The excitement is returning maybe one of the more talented teams we've seen from the Warriors in Orio Rottman (2022/TE), Adadrian Jackson (2022/WR), Jordan Armijo (2022/RB), and Marcus Armijo (2023/ATH).

(#2) Hatch Valley Bears (record last season: 2-2 overall, 1-1 district)
Scoop: The Hatch Valley Bears looked improved last season from the 2018 season and coming off a 2-2 season. The Bears lose Jesus Gonzalez and Oscar Gonzalez to graduation and creates a huge immediate void. A player to watch will be Layton Gillis (2023/WR-CB) who provides some punch on both ends of the ball. Although the offense could struggle early as they look for some replacement pieces the defense could lead the way. Also, watch David Holguin (2022) and Isaiah Vega (2022) on defense.

(#3) Hot Springs Tigers (record last season: 0-4 overall, 0-2 district)
Scoop: Yes, the Tigers went 0-4 last season but looking at the schedule it was a brutal four games as all four teams being at the top of their classification. In a normal season, we will see a more balanced schedule. It does hurt losing all-state running back Cameron Zamora but the TIgers are hoping for an improvement from some youth that earned experience during the Spring. The Tigers might have one of the more experienced teams with youth behind it. Quarterback Kaidyn Lanham (2024) played well as a freshman under center and has targets like Josiah Tidwell (2023/WR), and Devin Gonzalez (2022/WR) returning. On defense look for Tidwell and Joel Rivero (2023) to team up and guide the Tigers in 2021.

(#4) Cobre Indians (record last season: 0-0)
Scoop: The Cobre Indians decided to sit out the Spring season and we can see the effects of not having football for over a year could do to a program's development. Well, we didn't get to see him during his senior season but gone is Enrique Quinteros an all-state level player. The Indians will look to players Gavin Placencio (2022/ATH) and Jeraiah Garcia (2022/DB). The Indians have plenty to question like a year completely away from football could set them back a few years.

Two-a-days are the best-worst thing:

In 5A and 4A it will be an all-south finals match-up:

Cleveland repeats so does Eunice:

Indoor sports should also not have to wear masks:

Top Defensive Backs To Watch During the 2021 Season

NMPreps will continue to highlight and list the top players in New Mexico high school football.


Note: We will release names throughout the summer. Nominate below or email to grinejosh@yahoo.com.

Top New Mexico HS Linebackers for the 2021 Season

NMPreps.com's list of the top linebackers for the 2021 New Mexico High School football season. #nmpreps


We will continue to update the list throughout the off-season. Nominate by posting below or sending us a text/email.

NMPreps: Top Returning Offensive Linemen in 2021


*We will continue to add players' names to this list before we give our Top-10 Rankings. Feel free to nominate.

Recruiting News & Updates: Class of 2022

NMPreps will track each recruit during the process with an offer and interest updates along with commitments.

COMMITMENTS


OFFERS & INTEREST

Picks up offer from Colorado State of the Mountain West

2021 SCHEDULES - WEEK

We will update the list throughout the season and provide scores. If your team is missing send us a text 505-414-4313 or an email to correct the information grinejosh@yahoo.com.

WEEK 1 (AUGUST 19TH - 21ST)

Thursday, August 19th
Highland at Eldorado, 7pm
Sandia at Valley, 7pm

Friday, August 20th
Del Norte at Atrisco Heritage, 7pm
Los Lunas at Piedra Vista, 6pm
Mayfield at Manzano, 7pm
Organ Mountain at Albuquerque, 7pm
Valencia at Alamogordo, 7pm
Volcano Vista at Las Cruces, 7pm
West Mesa at Belen, 7pm

Saturday, August 21st
Cibola at La Cueva, 1pm
Cleveland at Centennial, 1pm
Rio Rancho at Goddard, 1pm

WEEK 2 (AUGUST 26TH-28TH)

Thursday, August 26th
Highland at Albuquerque, 7pm
Rio Grande at Atrisco Heritage, 7pm
Volcano Vista at Manzano, 7pm

Friday, August 27th
Alamogordo at Los Lunas, 7pm
Belen at Farmington, 7pm
El Paso Franklin at Cleveland, 7pm
Del Norte at Valencia, 7pm
Deming at Organ Mountain, 7pm
Las Cruces at Cibola, 7pm
Piedra Vista at Valley, 7pm
Rio Rancho at La Cueva, 7pm

Saturday, August 28th
West Mesa at Centennial, 1pm
Eldorado at Mayfield, 7pm

WEEK 3 (SEPTEMBER 2ND - 4TH)

Thursday, Sept. 2nd
Albuquerque at Del Norte, 7pm

Friday, Sept. 3rd
Artesia at Belen, 7pm
Atrisco Heritage at Piedra Vista, 7pm
Centennial at Sandia, 7pm
Eldorado at Rio Rancho, 7pm
Farmington at Highland, 7pm
Los Lunas at West Mesa, 7pm
Manzano at Cleveland, 7pm
Organ Mountain at Mayfield, 7pm
Rio Grande at Valencia, 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 4th
Carlsbad at Volcano Vista, 1pm
La Cueva at Las Cruces, 1pm
St. Pius X at Valley, 1pm

WEEK 4 (SEPTEMBER 9TH - 11TH)

Thursday, Sept. 9th
Del Norte at Rio Grande, 7pm
Sandia at West Mesa, 7pm

Friday, Sept. 10th
Atrisco Heritage at Valley, 7pm
Belen at Miyamura, 7pm
Cibola at Eldorado, 7pm
La Cueva at Volcano Vista, 7pm
Las Cruces at Cleveland, 7pm
Los Lunas at Roswell, 7pm
Valencia at Portales, 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 11th
Highland at Organ Mountain, 1pm

WEEK 5 (SEPTEMBER 16TH-18TH)

Friday, September 17th
Cibola at Los Lunas, 7pm
Cleveland at Artesia, 7pm
Manzano at Albuquerque, 7pm
Piedra Vista at Valencia, 7pm
Rio Grande at West Mesa, 7pm
Sandia at La Cueva, 7pm
Valencia at Santa Teresa, 7pm
Valley at Deming, 7pm

Saturday, September 18th
Centennial at Atrisco Heritage, 1pm
Rio Rancho at Organ Mountain, 1pm
Santa Fe at Eldorado, 1pm

WEEK 6 (SEPTEMBER 23RD-25TH)

Friday, September 24th
Belen at Capital, 7pm
Bloomfield at Valencia, 7pm
Del Norte at Farmington, 7pm
Eldorado at Albuquerque, 7pm
Goddard at Los Lunas, 7pm
Highland at Cibola, 7pm
La Cueva at Clovis, 7pm
Manzano at Santa Fe, 7pm
Volcano Vista at Sandia, 7pm

Saturday, 25th
Portales at Rio Grande, 1pm

WEEK 7 (SEPTEMBER 30TH-OCTOBER 2ND)

Thursday, September 30th
La Cueva at Eldorado, 7pm
Manzano at Del Norte, 7pm

Friday, October 1st
Atrisco Heritage at Cleveland, 7pm
Albuquerque at Clovis, 7pm
Centennial at Organ Mountain, 7pm
Cibola at Rio Rancho, 7pm
Grants at Valencia, 7pm
Los Lunas at Highland, 7pm
Santa Fe at Sandia, 7pm
West Mesa at Volcano Vista, 7pm

Saturday, Oct. 2nd
Belen at Valley, 1pm
Capital at Rio Grande, 1pm
Las Cruces at Carlsbad, 1pm

WEEK 8 (OCTOBER 7TH-9TH)

Thursday, Oct. 7th
Sandia at Albuquerque, 7pm
Volcano Vista at at Atrisco Heritage, 7pm

Friday, Oct. 8th
Albuquerque Academy at Valencia, 7pm
Cleveland at Cibola, 7pm
Del Norte at at Belen, 7pm
Eldorado at Manzano, 7pm
Las Cruces at Hobbs, 7pm
Organ Mountain at Gadsden, 7pm
Rio Grande at Santa Teresa, 7pm
Valley at Highland, 7pm

Saturday, Oct. 9th
Rio Rancho at West Mesa, 1pm

WEEK 9 (OCTOBER 14TH-16TH)

Thursday, Oct. 14th
Cleveland at Volcano Vista, 7pm
Eldorado at Sandia, 7pm

Friday, Oct. 15th
Atrisco Heritage at Rio Rancho, 7pm
Clovis at Manzano, 7pm
Hobbs at Organ Mountain, 7pm
Los Lunas at Valley, 7pm
Valencia at St. Pius X
West Mesa at Cibola, 7pm

Saturday, 0ct. 16th
Albuquerque at Rio Grande, 1pm
Highland at Del Norte, 1pm
Las Cruces at Centennial, 1pm
Santa Fe at La Cueva, 7pm

WEEK 10 (OCTOBER 21ST-22ND)

Thursday, October 21st
Cibola at Atrisco Heritage

Friday, October 22nd
Albuquerque at Santa Fe, 7pm
Del Norte at Los Lunas, 7pm
Highland at Belen, 7pm
La Cueva at Manzano, 7pm
Organ Mountain at Carlsbad, 7pm
Rio Rancho at Volcano Vista, 7pm
Sandia at Clovis, 7pm
Valencia at Bernalillo, 7pm
Valley at Rio Grande, 7pm
West Mesa at Cleveland, 7pm

WEEK 11 (OCTOBER 28th-30TH)

Thursday, Oct. 28th
Manzano at Sandia, 7pm

Friday, Oct. 29th
Albuquerque, at La Cueva, 7pm
Cleveland at Rio Rancho, 7pm
Orgran Mountain at Las Cruces, 7pm
Valley at Del Norte, 7pm
Volcano Vista at Cibola, 7pm

Saturday, Oct. 30th
Atrisco Heritage at West Mesa, 1pm
Belen at Los Lunas, 1pm
Clovis at Eldorado, 1pm
Rio Grande at Highland, 1pm

District 1-4A (Northwest District) Preview

TEAMS: Aztec, Bloomfield, Gallup, Kirtland Central, Shiprock

NMPreps will continue to release team rankings for each classification in New Mexico. We are less than two months away from the first game and we get you started. In 4A we will release by district and then with ranking all 18-teams in the classification.

Projected Order of Finish


1) Bloomfield Bobcats (2-3 overall)
New head coach Mike Kovacs is a good hire, but the former Bloomfield coordinator may need a year or two to rebuild the program back into state championship contention. The Bobcats dropped to 2-3 overall last season and yes they played for the 4A 'Bowl Championship but it was a step back last season from their 12-1 state runner-up season in 2019. This year could likely be a bigger step back as they graduated much of their top guys and they have delivered their best Bobcat years recently they could be a bubble when it comes to the state playoffs. It's not all bad news for new head coach Kovacs however as he'll have tough-as-nails running back/linebacker Diego Snell-Martinez (2022) returning for his senior season. Snell-Martinez is one of two players to have contributed to the 12-1 season with playing experience, then a sophomore.

2) Aztec Tigers (1-4 overall)
The Aztec Tigers and head coach Eric Stovall are trending up this season and with Bloomfield and Kirtland Central question marks, it could be an opportunity for the Tigers to climb back up. 2023 quarterback Marcquies Henry is likely to be back under center after only two games during the Spring. He passed for 309-yards and a touchdown before his senior was cut short. Talents Ryan Ray (2022) and Tristen McNeal (2023) also make a return and you could be looking at the favorite to win the district this season.

3) Kirtland Central Broncos (3-2 overall)
Well, I searched, but somehow can't seem to have an update on the Kirtland Central Broncos' new head coach. Have they been hired? If not, it's late. Also, it could be a long overhaul for the Broncos as the roster was hit by back-to-back big graduating classes. Add in a new head coach with limited time with the team and this could be the start of a major rebuild. Elijah Jenks (2022) was at quarterback last season but not too sure if he stays at KC.

4) Gallup Bengals (0-5 overall)
Gallup is a tough job. They are on to another head coach after Nick Winkler decided to step down. New head coach Andrew Rodriguez steps in and looks to bring some stability to a program that has been a consistent cellar team. 6-foot-1 ATH Perry Ellerbe returns for the Bengals and is the lone hope. The good news for the Bengals is that if there was a year to upset or make a run in district play this would be that season.

5) Shiprock Chieftains (3-2 overall)
The Chieftains won three games during the Spring and although that brings some much-needed confidence into the 2021 Fall season, it could be a battle at the end. However, like we've mentioned district 1 in 4A football has an open door for any team willing to run through it. In a league with one bid, you can expect a narrow ending to this one. Shiprock only had 19 players on their roster last season with five underclassmen. That type of turnover could be the result of a bottom looking up season.

Related
District 1-4A (Northwest District) Preview
District 2-4A (Northern District) Preview
District 3-4A (Southern District) Preview
District 4-4A (Central District) Preview

District 2-4A Preview: Northern District

TEAMS: Espanola Valley, Moriarty, Pojoaque Valley, Taos

NMPreps will continue to release team rankings for each classification in New Mexico. We are less than two months away from the first game and we get you started. In 4A we will release by district and then with ranking all 18-teams in the classification.

Projected Order of Finish

Taos Tigers (3-1 overall)
The only team with a winning record coming from this district the Taos Tigers are looking to make another push at a late postseason push. The Tigers won the state championship four years ago and a return to the top is on their mind. The good news is welcoming back 6-foot-6 quarterback Daemon Ely (2023) who has seen action for two seasons', last Spring being called in as QB-1. The rest of the roster will be going through some overturn with the graduation to all four All-State players from the roster last season. Lenoard Archuleta (2023/TE) and Warren Gomez (2022/G).

Moriarty Pintos (1-4 overall)
The Pintos only captured a single win out of the Spring season but played a quality slate of games with the likes of Taos, Portales, and St. Pius X. The Pintos an early favorite to contend for the District Championship have a healthy return of running backs. Cayden Dunn (2022) rushed for 255-yards last season and 4-touchdowns. Matthew Romero (2023), 179-yards and 2 touchdowns, along with Erick Wolf (2023), 136-yards and a touchdown also return in the backfield for the Pintos. Having those three returning is huge for a program that runs the ball 90% of the time. Jason Garcia (2022) also welcomes back an experienced defense led by the linebacker.

Pojoaque Valley Elks (2-2 overall)
After an 0-2 start during the Spring season the Elks reeled off two wins over Valencia (36-22) and Espanola Valley (50-0). The Elks program has been in the cellar for a few years but are entering the Fall 2021 season with some excitement. Quarterback Adam Pacheco (2023) returns under center after throwing for 647-yards and 8-touchdowns as a sophomore. Anthony Meloy-Chavez (2022) returns at WR along with D'sean Martinez (2022), Jacob Sullivan (2022), and JC Fordham. Meloy-Chavez also had 5 carries and accounted for 52-yards (10.4 average) at running back. The four returning receivers each had over 100-yards receiving with Meloy-Chavez (194) and Martinez (197) leading the way.

Espanola Valley Sundevils (0-3 overall)
The Sundevils searched for a new head coach prior to the season and struggled to an 0-3 season. The Sundevils also struggled on both ends of the ball only scoring 6 points and gave up 160 on the year in three games. Plenty of the struggles was a numbers game last season with limited players, a new system, and experience. The good news will be the return of several underclassmen that gained varsity experience during the Spring season. The bad news is that they could still be outsized and outnumbered.



Related
District 3-4A (Southern District) Preview
District 4-4A (Central District) Preview

4A Team Rankings: District 3 (Southern District)

NMPreps will continue to release team rankings for each classification in New Mexico. We are less than two months away from the first game and we get you started. In 4A we will release by district and then with ranking all 18-teams in the classification.

Projected Order of Finish

1.) Lovington (last season: 4-1 overall)
The Lovington Wildcats are returning as the 4A Bowl State Champions, a 37-19 win over Bloomfield High School. Head coach Anthony Gonzales continues to rebuild this once power into one of the top programs in 4A football again. Looking forward to the 2021 season the Wildcats have some holes to fill with a great group going out. Those positions will be at quarterback, running back, and also some upfront. Key pieces returning will a three-headed monster at receiver in Isaac Hinson (2021), Adam Aguilera (2021), and Tayten Hillard (2021).

2.) Portales (last season: 4-1 overall)
The Portales Rams arguably the second-best team in 4A football last season behind Lovington. The Rams went 4-1 overall and 16-2 over the two last two seasons; in 2019 they won the last official state championship in this classification. It's no doubt that head coach Jaime Ramirez is at the top of the list of top head coaches in the state and classification. He will have to again replace some weapons and this time that includes do-all quarterback Baylor Diaz. Diaz was one of the top-ranked mobile quarterbacks in New Mexico last season. Braydon Mignard (2021), Brandon Blidi (2021), and Hagen Rains (2021) all return and create a seriously tough defense for the Rams.

3.) Ruidoso (last season: 1-4 overall)
The Ruidoso Warriors and head coach Kief Johnson are looking to an improved Fall 2021 season after going 1-4 last season. When I say improved it looks at the record but the Warriors played a difficult slate of games with all three district teams being tough last season along with adding Alamogordo to the list. The Warriors like the other teams in the district will have a new quarterback under center and the Warriors, who run the ball, have some options. Top running back Braxton Hall (2021) along with Griffin Hooker (2021) return after getting some touches during the Spring. Kago Sandoval (2022) and Mike Sandoval (2021) return on offense as well providing them with some nice options.

4.) Silver (last season: 2-1 overall)
The Colts had some weapons last season and they really showed how good they were in the final game of the season. The Colts beat Kirtland Central in the bowl game, 40-7 in a game of what could have been a special season at Silver. Now they must replace a handful of those key pieces including Walker Wenzel a do-all quarterback that will play at WNMU. Returning, the Colts turn to some youth in Aidan Granado (2023) who rushed for 84-yards (4.4 ypc) and 95 receiving yards playing behind some really good talent. Owen Hooper (2022), and Mason Lockett (2022) along with Walter Woodward (2023) form a sound defense that could become the strength of this season's team.

Related
District 4-4A (Central District) Preview

4A Team Rankings: District 5 (Central District)

NMPreps will continue to release team rankings for each classification in New Mexico. We are less than two months away from the first game and we get you started. In 4A we will release by district and then with ranking all 18-teams in the classification.

The Central District (or District 5/6 although there are only four districts in 4A) is one that could be a toss-up. Bernalillo and Grants led the way last season as they finished off the covid season playing in the bowl game with Bernalillo winning, 7-6. This season could be the team that once owned each district crown in St. Pius X with a handful of returning prospects.

Project Order of Finish

1. St. Pius X (last season: 1-3 overall, 0-2 district)
The Sartans return some top talent in the district and we look forward to watching running back Marco Ybarra (2022/RB-LB). Others to keep an eye on this season that made an impact last season are Cian Jones (2022/QB), Dominic Esparza (2022/ATH), and Joaquin Medina (2022/LB). They have some skill players returning but the concern could be the line and defense.

2. Bernalillo (last season: 4-0 overall, 2-0 district)
The Spartans had a season to remember during the Spring. Head coach John Cobos won coach of the year in New Mexico and the team went a perfect 4-0. Well, Fall 2021 could be the start of a rebuild as they will have many holes to fill this coming season. Tristen Ludi-Herrera (ATH/2022) and Kevin Chavez (MLB/2022) will provide immediate help this coming season but they could be surrounded by inexperience and youth.

3. Grants (last season: 3-1 overall, 1-1 district)
The Pirate ship has docked and many familiar faces have stepped off the ship including arguably their best head coach in the last twenty years in Rio Thompson who not only gave life to the program he also sent a handful to the next level. Enter Pirate alumnus Brandon Hernandez, great hire for what the Pirates need during a transition, who has been an assistant at West Mesa most recently. Also, the Pirates must replace the second-ranked QB in the state in Brandon Furbee who is now at Farmington HS. We should also add they graduated Terrell Hocker who was top-3 in the state for rushing yards. We can't go without giving a name to watch and that player is Tyler Everhart (2022) who has all of the tools to be playing at the next level.

4. Albuquerque Academy (last season: 2-2 overall)
The Chargers enter the central district this season and have been on a steady incline under head coach Shaun Gehres. After going 2-2 last season they hope to continue their build of the Chargers program, one that once played for a state championship (2010). Looking forward to the Chargers return quarterback Andres Rivera (2023) who threw for 728-yards and 6-touchdowns during the short 4-game covid season in the Spring. Add in his top three targets in Kellen Gehres (2023), Mark McIntosh (2022), and Tyler Wilson (2022), and the Chargers could be a surprise squad.

5. Valencia (last season: 0-3 overall)
The Jaguars hit a low last season and dropped all three games. It's hard to tell what went wrong last season but this is an area that could have been highly impacted by the pandemic (and everything that has to do with players not in school). Head coach Wesley Shank is one of the best and although this building project is taking a bit longer, the Jaguars should be back within a few years. They had some youth in 2019 that we liked and if they have developed some they could be a force. Matthew Chavez (2023), Rey Garcia (2023), and Nate Rodriguez (2022) are some that come to mind as they look to rebound this Fall.

Note: After we rank each team in their district we will then release all 18-teams for our 4A preseason rankings.

5 Best Jobs In New Mexico HS Football

Eldorado hired Mike Robertson, longtime coach at Sandia. Ried Fiegel resigned just a few days ago.

Great hire for Organ Mountain to replace Reyes. Carlsbad now open.

Who are your SC picks in each class?