Week 7: Friday Night Preview & Predictions
Grine | NMPreps
NMPreps weekly preview and predictions of each game taking place in New Mexico High School football.
TOP-10 PREVIEW
No. 1 Volcano Vista (5-0) vs West Mesa (1-4): The Volcano Vista Hawks should move along with ease as they open district (1-6A) play against unranked West Mesa. The Hawks defense led by Darren Avila (2020) and Jacob Gellhausen (2020) have been a huge strength to the undefeated run with only allowing 44 points this season. Prediction: Volcano Vista 56, West Mesa 6
No. 2 Cleveland (4-1) vs Atrisco Heritage (0-4): Another district 1-6A opener with the second ranked Cleveland Storm welcoming the unranked Atrisco Heritage Jaguars. The Storm can put up points and this will be one where several members reach the end zone. Prediction: Cleveland 50, Atrisco Heritage 0.
No. 3 Centennial (6-0) vs No. 7 Las Cruces (4-2): The game of the night takes place in Las Cruces with the third ranked Hawks, sitting with a perfect 6-0 record, taking on seventh ranked Las Cruces High School. Both have shown signs of being able to put points on the board in a hurry and we could have a shootout on our hands. Eyes will be on top quarterbacks Aidan Trujillo (Centennial/2020) and Marcos Lopez (Las Cruces/2021). Prediction: Centennial 45, Las Cruces 42
No. 4 Rio Rancho (3-2) vs No. 20 Cibola (3-2): Both teams are coming off a bye week and open district play tonight in Rio Rancho. The Rams are getting a stellar season from Isaiah Chavez (2020/QB) and this could be a game that he continues to build his Mr. Football campaign. Cibola features QB Aden Chavez (2023) who could be in talks for Freshman of the Year. Prediction: RioRancho 42, Cibola 20.
No. 5 La Cueva (4-2) vs No. 19 Manzano (2-3): The Albuquerque metro area contest between the previous state champs - La Cueva last season and Manzano in 2017. La Cueva is without star wide receiver Connor O'Toole but have Brad Thomas (2021) and Tristan Altier (2020) to carry the load; the two have over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns combined. Prediction: La Cueva 28, Manzano 14
No. 8 Clovis (3-3) vs Sandia (2-4): The Clovis Wildcats are sitting at .500 entering district play tonight against unranked Sandia. A game that could improve his campaign for Chance Harris which has passed for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns at this point in the season. Prediction: Clovis 33, Sandia 13
GAMES OUTSIDE THE TOP-10
- No. 21 Lovington (4-2) continues to play a difficult non-district slate before starting district play as they host Goddard (4-1). No. 11 Goddard is coming off their first loss of the season.
- No. 16 Portales (4-1) travels north, back to Santa Fe, to take on Capital (3-2) in what could either be close,coming out for Capital or Portales flexes.
UNRANKED WATCH THIS
- Grants (4-1) at Taos (2-3) has playoff implications all over it with a chance to host a first round game.
- Albuquerque Academy (3-3) has improved this season and look to continue to build off their 3-win season against Hot Springs (3-3).
- Gallup (2-2) has been improved but a trip to Silver (2-3) could allow us more into how 'good' the Colts are in this contest.
GRINE LINES
Alamogordo at Chaparral +10
Albuquerque Academy at Hot Springs -8
Albuquerque at Piedra Vista -35
Artesia at Ruidoso +20
Atrisco Heritage at Cleveland -50
Belen at Deming -19.5
Bloomfield at Miyamura +25
Carlsbad at Gadsden, +14.5
Cibola at Rio Rancho, -27
Espanola Valley at Bernalillo -15
Farmington at Rio Grande +44
Gallup at Silver -24
Goddard at Lovington +13
Grants at Taos +3.5
Hope Christian at New Mexico Military Institute +10
La Cueva at Manzano +18
Las Cruces at Centennial -1.5
Los Alamos at Valencia +8
Portales at Capital +11
Raton at West Las Vegas -20
Sandia at Clovis -16
Santa Fe at Aztec -14
Springer at Elida -6.5
St. Pius X at Pojoaque Valley +22
Tucucmari at Texico -14
Tularosa at Hatch Valley +12.5
West Mesa at Volcano Vista -49
