What games will you attend this week?

Should you only be allowed to play teams in your classification?

Short list but long trips..District in full swing. All trips round trip.

5. Clovis at Eldorado 444
4. Tucumcari at Tularosa 446
3. Lovington at Moriarity 516
2.Dulce at Magdalena 542 miles
1. Animas at Vaughn 704 miles like 9 trips between Roswell and Artesia

16-13

could be for the final playoff spot

District 1-6A (Cleveland, VV, RR) will have three teams in the top-four seeds?

La Cueva reaches the state championship?

Teams shouldn't be allowed to be independent?

Only 10 teams should make the playoffs?

Roswell > the Field for the State Championship?

Eunice does not win the State Championship?

What do you have this week?

THURSDAY NIGHT

Best Game: Manzano (2-5. 0-2) at Sandia (2-5, 0-1): The official-unofficial bubble game for the 2019 state playoffs. The winner likely becomes the last team selected for the 12-team playoffs this November. The Monarchs have played a tough schedule this season and this could also be the last win of the year.

Sandia, coached by former Monarch head coach Chad Adcox, will look to upset here and earn a bid into the playoffs. Matadors running back Leshawn Joseph (2020) is rushing for 120 yards per game this season and looking to end his career with a splash.

Jace Melfi (2020) and Austin Erickson (2020) a QB-WR duo looking to complete their senior season with a playoff bid, the two have combined for 603 passing/receiving yards and all five of Melfi's touchdown throws have been to Erickson.

Prediction: Manzano 22, Sandia 21. Over/Under: 38

GRINE WEEK 9 PICKS

Thurs:
Manzano @ Sandia 550 pts either way SANDIA

Friday:
Artesia @ Roswell 575 pts (Artesia is the upset 650 pts) ROSWELL
Aztec at Kirtland Central 575 (KC is the upset 650 pts) AZTEC
Clovis @ Eldorado 575 pts (Eldo is the upset 625 pts) CLOVIS
Texico at Fort Sumner 575 (Texico is the upset 625 pts) FORT SUMNER
Capital at Del Norte 575 (DN is the upset 625 pts) CAPITAL
Deming @ Santa Teresa 575 pts either way DEMING
West Las Vegas @ St Michael's 575 pts either way WEST LAS VEGAS

Big Game
Cleveland @ Volcano Vista 700 pts either way CLEVELAND

Lock: Deming over Santa Teresa. Both teams enter with a winning record and this becomes a game for the District Championship and likely earns the winner a first-round home game in the playoffs. I go Deming big.

Upset: Sandia. This is not a "big" name upset but I think it's a slight upset at this point. The Matadors have been playing better all season and this could earn them a playoff slot.

50/50 Game: This could surprise people but I think Aztec-Kirtland Central along with Fort Sumner-Texico are games that could go either way. Nearly went with both KC and Texico in both games.

What restaurants, concession or tailgates have stood out this season for you?

TOP-10 GAMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK IN NEW MEXICO

Week 8: October 10th-12th

1. No. 13 Eldorado (4-2, 0-0) at No. 4 La Cueva (5-2, 1-0)
2. No. 7 Centennial (6-1, 2-1) at No 9 Mayfield (4-1, 2-0)
3. No. 6 Roswell (6-0) at No. 15 Piedra Vista (5-1)
4. No. 8 Clovis (4-3, 1-0) at No. 19 Manzano (2-4, 0-1)
5. No. 22 Santa Teresa (5-0) at No. 11 Goddard (5-1)
6. No. 16 Portales (5-1) at Dexter (5-1)
7. No. 2 Cleveland (5-1, 1-0) at No. 20 Cibola (3-3, 0-1)
8. Silver (3-3) at Hatch Valley (1-5)
9. Fort Sumner (4-1) at Santa Rosa (2-4)
10. Newcomb (5-2) at Estancia (5-2)

Week Thoughts: Another quiet night across New Mexico this coming week. We do get a rivalry game between Albuquerque northeast heights teams Eldorado (No. 13) at La Cueva (No. 4). The La Cueva Bears have owned the rivalry as of late and yes Eldorado enters on a three game win streak but don't rush to an upset thought here. Eldorado is 0-2 vs ranked teams this season, outscored 121 to 35.

District Champ Mindset: Centennial lost some steam last week with their loss to Las Cruces. Now, they turnaround and face the 4-1, 2-0 Mayfield Trojans who also have their eyes set on a DC. A Mayfield win could provide us with a potential district championship game to end the 2019 season between them and Las Cruces high school.

Get the Luggage: Roswell travels to the northwest corner of New Mexico to take on the 15th ranked Piedra Vista Panthers. Roswell, defending state champs, are currently the top ranked team in the classification. Piedra Vista, already played the second ranked team (Los Lunas) and get another crack at a top ranked team. Our travel guy will break down the miles this week but a head start we have a 6 hour, 382 mile one-way trip.


What do you have?

Week 9: NMPreps Playoff Predictions

6A FOOTBALL
#1 Cleveland (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#2 Rio Rancho (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#3 Las Cruces (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#4 Centennial (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#5 Volcano Vista (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 3rd)
#6 Clovis (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#7 La Cueva (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#8 Mayfield (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 3rd)
#9 Eldorado (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 3rd)
#10 Carlsbad (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 4th)
#11 Cibola (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 4th)
#12 Manzano (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 4th)
Bubble Out: #13 Sandia

5A FOOTBALL
#1 Roswell (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#2 Los Lunas (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#3 Artesia (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#4 Goddard (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 3rd)
#5 Farmington (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#6 Piedra Vista (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#7 Deming (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#8 Capital (Bid: Automatic; Projected District Finish: 1st)
#9 Santa Teresa (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#10 Highland (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 3rd)
#11 Belen (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
#12 Del Norte (Bid: At-Large; Projected District Finish: 2nd)
Bubble: #13 Santa Fe, #14 Alamogordo

Santa Fe High is looking to fill 4-5 games on our C-Team schedule with small school JV/Varsity or large school C-Teams. If you’re a coach needing your fill your schedule or if you know of a team needing to do the same, please feel free to contact the following people at SFHS:

Head Coach: Nate Morris
JV Coach: Jason Kampsky
Athletic Secretary: Louann Padilla

You can contact me directly at 575-937-2018.

Thanks ahead of time!

open

Week 9: NMPreps.com's Gridiron Four

This week we release our top-four teams in each classification with the best chances at making the semifinals (if the seeds allow) and the teams that are the "true" contenders for a title.

6A FOOTBALL

#1 Cleveland Storm (6-1, 2-0)
NMPreps Rank: No. 2
Key Wins: at Artesia (47-33; Week 5)
Key Loss: --
MXP Rating: No. 5
Scoop: The Storm are ranked second in our poll and I believe high in the coaches - vote for your district - poll. All said in done, I think the Storm are the best team in New Mexico (6-0 vs New Mexico). They have encountered adversity with injuries and suspension but have prevailed. Their schedule hasn't been tough outside of their two long distance trips to Artesia and El Paso-Franklin.
Who's Left: at Volcano Vista (10/18), at Rio Rancho (11/1)

#2 Volcano Vista Hawks (7-0, 2-0)
NMPreps Rank: No. 1
Key Wins: La Cueva (36-25; Week 1)
Key Loss: --
MXP Rating: No. 4
Scoop: NMPreps New Mexico high school football rankings are different and more on the ''what have you done for me lately". Here we are picking the order we see you as a state champion (make to our Mohs Scale..that's coming too). Like Cleveland, the Hawks haven't played a difficult schedule, which has allowed them to keep their winning ways despite some roster shuffling, especially to top ranked QB Diego Pavia missing for awhile now.
Who's Left: Cleveland (10/18), Rio Rancho (10/25).

#3 Rio Rancho Rams (5-2, 2-0)
NMPreps Rank: No. 3
Key Wins: Las Cruces, Clovis, La Cueva
Key Loss: Centennial
MXP Rating: No. 2
Scoop: Looking at the three teams listed to this point, the Rams are battle tested. They've faced a handful of top-10 ranked teams and outside of the opening week trip to Centennial, they've been the hottest team in 6A football. They get No. 1 and No. 2 in the next three weeks - get ready for a firework finish in 6A football. The committee will hopefully find a way to seed this bracket.
Who's Left: Cleveland and Volcano Vista

#4 Clovis High School (5-3)
NMPreps Rank: No. 8
Key Wins: Los Lunas, Monterey (TX)
Key Loss: Rio Rancho
MXP Rating: No. 7
Scoop: Here is where I could get some debates (well, more than some). We all have our fourth team, I am sure we now all agree on the three above - or two of the three at the very least. If this was the college football playoff the other three could be from the SEC (because they are all in the same district) and Clovis could be coming from the Big Ten or Big 12... Our Clemson could be La Cueva, which has yet to be mentioned. Clovis is my sleeper, for this week at least.
Who's Left: La Cueva

Next: La Cueva. They've played in the last two state championships. They are getting better but they might be the best team we've somehow left out.

Second Out: Centennial. I still think the Hawks will be in the conversation before the year is over.

Third Out: Las Cruces. They are going to win the southern district (think Pac-12 here, if you're following along). The Dawgs will have a favorable seed - maybe fourth - but could run into a hot 5-seed (maybe Clovis or Centennial or La Cueva).

The quarterfinals are going to be a lot of fun this year for what seems to have been a quiet lackluster 6A regular season (especially the last two weeks).

5A FOOTBALL

#1 Roswell Coyotes (7-0)
NMPreps Rank: No. 1
Key Wins: Los Lunas, Piedra Vista
Key Loss: --
MXP Rating: No. 1
Scoop: This Friday could either validate this spot or open the conversation. As of today, the Coyotes look unbeatable and have answered any question asked about them defending their title. They are coming off a 35-0 win over (5A No. 5) Piedra Vista in a contest that we thought would offer more of a challenge. They also beat the second rank team in the class, 56-13 a month ago - Los Lunas. Right now, the talk should be Roswell or the field and I think many could go Roswell.
Who's Left: Artesia (Friday), Goddard

#2 Artesia Bulldogs (5-2)
NMPreps Rank: No. 4
Key Wins: --
Key Losses: Carlsbad
MXP Rating: No. 4
Scoop: The Bulldogs are no longer the season long favorite, as they have been for a few years now. The conversation turns to both them and Roswell - the good news is the first meeting of a potential two meetings this season happens in two days in Roswell.
Who's Left: Roswell (Friday), Goddard

#3 Los Lunas Tigers (5-2)
NMPreps Rank: No. 2
Key Wins: Goddard, Piedra Vista
Key Losses: Roswell
MXP Rating: The Los Lunas Tigers have played the toughest schedule of the top four in this conversation, to this point. They have faced Roswell, Clovis, Goddard, and Piedra Vista - winning two of four.
Who's Left: --

#4 Goddard Rockets (6-1)
NMPreps Rank: No. 3
Key Wins: Portales
Key Losses: Los Lunas
MXP Rating: No. 2
Scoop: The Goddard Rockets are playing the third wheel in the southeastern district and lost the game to Los Lunas, putting them fourth in this conversation. The Rockets could also be a scary team to meet the rest of the way, being counted out.
Who's Left: Roswell, Artesia

Next: Northwest Duo. Farmington and Piedra Vista. The winner of this district (game) will likely end up with the 5-seed or 4-seed (if 4 they will likely be the most picked against team in the potential 4-5 quarterfinal game).

Farmington has some pieces and maybe they are the most unlikely to reach the semifinals. If I am picking, I am not but I am, I would put Farmington as the sleeper to reach the semifinals. I should add that Goddard is my sleeper to reach the state title game. My two bold picks? Yes, that means I have contradicted the ranking of favorites to win it all.

Second Out: The Field. It is what it is. We have Roswell....Artesia, Los Lunas, Goddard.....Farmington and Piedra Vista... then the rest. Disagree?

What does tradition mean to you?

Anyone needing a game or two or three???? Dates available Dec. 5,6,7. Teams dropping for budget costs put us in a pickle. If interested email to dbean@torcschools.net
Willing to work with you and make the trip cost friendly.

Teams available to play
Hot Springs
NMMI
Chaparral
Cloudcroft
NACA

Most Likely to Upset in Week 9

Ranked on Ranked
1. No. 12 Artesia (5-2) vs No. 7 Roswell (7-0): The "let's play the result" game of the week where some won't pick Artesia but will go with the "not an upset to me" game. Anyhow, the defending champion Roswell Coyotes enter the contest with a perfect 7-0 record and looking to take over as the yearly leader from this region. Line: Roswell -3.5 Over/Under: 74

Unranked on Ranked
2. Kirtland Central (3-3) vs No. 19 Aztec (6-1): Not crazy confident in this pick (I would say 3 of 5 Grines Confidence scale on this one). However, the Broncos and Tigers are regional rivals and this one could come down to the fourth quarter. With Aztec, they are one of the few ranked 4A teams (NMPreps.com Top-20) and looking to live with a target on their back. They also have a top four seed on the line with this district contest. Line: Aztec -6.5 Over/Under: 61

Unranked on Unranked
3. Del Norte (2-5) vs Capital (3-3): Capital is ranked in our classification rankings at the 8th spot in 5A football and this contest opens district play for both teams. Del Norte was shaky to open the season with 'bad' losses to Belen and Albuquerque High but could get back into the conversation with a win here. Capital run game is good, now can they host a first round playoff game....winning district is the only way that happens. Line: Capital -10.5 Over/Under: 55

Top Players From Week 8

Austin Erickson - Manzano - 85 yard kick return for TD
Austin Smith - La Cueva - 2 Passing TD (6-yd, 18-yd)
Ben West - Eldorado - Rushing TD (21-yd)
Caleb Marra - La Cueva - 58 yard pick-6.
CJ Gutierrez - Clovis - 17-yard receiving TD
Deven Escalante - La Cueva - Rushing TD (11-yd)
Devin Gallegos - Los Lunas - 2 touchdowns.
Devin Gillespie - Clovis - 3 Passing TDs (17-yard, 14-yd, 22-yd)
Dominic Camacho - La Cueva - 32-yard FG
Dorian Lewis - Cleveland - 143 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.
Jacob Duran - Clovis - 36 yard FG.
Jalen Allen - Portales - 2 ReceivingTouchdowns vs Dexter
Jeston Webskowski - Clovis - 3 Rushing TD (8-yd, 5-yd, 20-yd)
Jevin Valdez - Carlsbad - 2 rushing TDs.
Kellan Hightower - Portales - Touchdown vs Dexter
Luke Wyson - Cleveland - 12 yd touchdown run vs Cibola
Malik Phillips - Clovis - 2 blocked kicks and 2 receiving TD.
Nata Najar - Carlsbad - 4 rushing TDs.
Rion Lee - Goddard - 1 yard rushing TD.
Robert Aragon - Goddard - 2 rushing TDs.
Romeo Gbassagee - Portales - Rushing TD and Receiving TD vs Dexter
Sammy Zaragoza - Goddard - 63-yard rushing TD, 60-yard rushing TD.
Treavon Dennard - Cleveland - 59-yard touchdown catch.
Trey Ortega - Cleveland - 194 yards rushing, 5 PATs (73-yard touchdown run, 59-yard touchdown pass.)
Tristan Altier - La Cueva - Receiving TD (18-yd)
Tyler Jenson - La Cueva - 129 yards rushing, 1TD, 50 yards receiving.

Post here

Go!

Week 9: New Mexico High School Team Rankings

NMPreps.com's New Mexico High School football team rankings for the week of October 6th-12th.

Related: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

NEW MEXICO TOP-25

No. 1 Volcano Vista High School (7-0, 2-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Atrisco Heritage, 48-6

No. 2 Cleveland High School (6-1, 2-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Cibola, 41-7.

No. 3 Rio Rancho High School (5-2, 2-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat West Mesa, 61-7.

No. 4 La Cueva High School (6-2, 2-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Eldorado, 38-13.

No. 5 Las Cruces High School (5-2, 3-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Bye

No. 6 Roswell High School (7-0, 0-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Piedra Vista, 35-0.

No. 7 Centennial High School (7-1, 3-1)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Mayfield, 33-7.

No. 8 Clovis High School (5-3, 2-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Manzano, 33-7.

No. 9 Los Lunas High School (5-2, 0-0)
Movement: +1. Last Week: Beat Alamogordo, 44-21.

No. 10 Goddard High School (6-1, 0-0)
Movement: +1. Last Week: Beat Santa Teresa, 49-0.

No. 11 Mayfield High School (4-2, 2-1)
Movement: -2. Last Week: Last to Centennial, 33-7.

No. 12 Artesia High School (5-2, 0-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Bye

No. 13 Carlsbad High School (5-3, 2-2)
Movement: +1. Last Week: Beat Onate, 50-7.

No. 14 Eldorado High School (4-2, 0-0)
Movement: -1. Last Week: Lost to La Cueva, 38-13.

No. 15 Portales High School (6-1)
Movement: +1. Last Week: Beat Dexter, 40-14.

No. 16 Piedra Vista High School (5-2, 0-0)
Movement: -1. Last Week: Lost to Roswell, 35-0.

No. 17 Farmington High School (6-1)
Movement: --. Last Week: Beat Bayfield (CO), 68-19.

No. 18 Bloomfield High School (7-0)
Movement: --. Last Week: Bye

No. 19 Aztec High School (6-1, 0-0)
Movement: +5. Last Week: Bye

No. 20 Cibola High School (3-4, 0-2)
Movement --. Last Week: Lost to Cleveland, 41-7.

Top-20 Rankings: It is getting more and more difficult to come up with a top-25, based on the really good - and the good. There is a clear division between the top-8, the middle 9-15, and the final five.

New: Aztec was idle during week 8 but are on a win streak as of late. The rest of the teams 18-25 lost (minus a couple others on a bye) but the Tigers for now sneak into the 20.

Under .500: Yes, the Cibola Cougars still hold on to their top-20 status with an under .500 record at 3-4 but the level of their schedule has edge them so far. They have to weeks to get to 5-4 before a final game against number one ranked Volcano Vista.


6A FOOTBALL
1. Volcano Vista
2. Cleveland
3. Rio Rancho
4. La Cueva
5. Las Cruces
6. Centennial
7. Clovis
8. Carlsbad
9. Mayfield
10. Eldorado

5A FOOTBALL
1. Roswell
2. Los Lunas
3. Goddard
4. Artesia
5. Piedra Vista
6. Farmington
7. Capital
8. Deming
9. Santa Teresa
10. Highland

4A FOOTBALL
1. Portales
2. Bloomfield
3. Aztec
4. Lovington
5. Ruidoso
6. St. Pius X
7. Kirtland Central
8. Grants
9. Silver
10. Bernalillo

3A FOOTBALL
1. Tularosa
2. Socorro
3. Hope Christian
4. Dexter
5. Robertson
6. West Las Vegas
7. St. Michael's
8. Hatch Valley
9. NMMI
10. Hot Springs

2A FOOTBALL
1. Eunice
2. Estancia
3. Fort Sumner
4. Texico
5. Escalante
6. Lordsburg
7. Santa Rosa
8. Jal
9. Hagerman
10. Newcomb

What number did you wear?
What school? Position?
Who was your coach?