Previews: 5A Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals of the state playoffs is here and we preview the slate of games for week 13 of the New Mexico High School football season.

More: 6A Previews | 4A Previews | Small School Previews

Schedule & Times

No. 8 Alamogordo @ No. 1 Artesia, Saturday, Nov. 19th, 1PM
No. 5 Los Lunas @ No. 4 Belen, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 11 Miyamura @ No. 3 Roswell, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 10 Farmington @ No. 2 St. Pius X, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM

Preview & Predictions

No. 1 Artesia (8-2) vs No. 8 Alamogordo (7-4): Currently riding a four game win streak into the quarterfinals the Alamogordo Tigers will travel to Artesia to take on the number one ranked Bulldogs. The Tigers won 45-14 in the first round of the State Playoffs over 9-seed Del Norte High School. Alamogordo enters the game averaging 40.7 points per game behind an offensive duo in Kyle Hooper, QB (2,414-passing yards/27-touchdowns) and Dee Smith, RB (1,174-rushing yards/18-touchdowns). Artesia, 8-2 on the season earned the one seed after winning District 4-5A and received an opening round bye into the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs 4-1 at home are averaging a staggering 43.1 points per game playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. The Bulldogs are led by next level prospect Marcus Bramwell (OL) and playmaker Taylor Null (QB).

Prediction: Artesia 41, Alamogordo 38

No. 2 St. Pius X (9-1) vs No. 10 Farmington (5-5-1): After a (0-4-1) start to the season the Farmington Scorpions move into the quarterfinals after upsetting district foe and 7-seed Aztec in the first round 42-22. The Scorpions have a trio of players in Axel Fowler (RB), Kody Becenti (QB) and playmaker Donovan Gonzalez. St. Pius X, the 2-seed in the state playoffs, enter the post season on a 6-game winning streak led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Drew Ortiz who has a few games with 4 or more touchdowns in a contest. St. Pius enters the contest averaging 47.4 points per game but will have an x-factor on defense only giving up 13 points per contest.

Prediction: St. Pius X 44, Farmington 30

No. 3 Roswell (8-2) vs No. 11 Miyamura (8-3): After pulling off one of the biggest wins in program history the Miyamura Patriots move into the quarterfinals beating 6-seed Goddard, 26-24. The Patriots are led by do-everything quarterback Matt Chavez who beats you on the ground (698-rushing yards) or by his arm (1,777-passing yards) for a total of 32 (21 passing) touchdowns this season. The 3-seed Roswell Coyotes ended their season winning five of their last six games, playing in the difficult District 4-5A. The Coyotes who are averaging close to 39 points per game are led by a trio of running backs in Gabe Najar (883 yards), Daniel Sosa (564 yards) and Michael Ponce (323 yards) along with one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the classification in Bear Kyser (1,004-passing yards/277-rushing yards).

Prediction: Roswell 35, Miyamura 27

No. 4 Belen (8-2) vs No. 5 Los Lunas (8-3): The re-match in the Valencia Bowl takes place in the quarterfinals as the Los Lunas Tigers moved along easily in the opening round, 60-10 over 12-seed Kirtland Central. The Tigers averaging 43.7 points per game are led by one of the most sought-after recruits from the class of 2017 in New Mexico O'maury Samuels who is committed to Michigan. Also, at the quarterback spot is sophomore Nick Gaerlan who passed for 3-touchdowns and 137-yards in the first round. The 4-seed Belen Eagles, who won the first match against the Tigers (22-21), enter the game after having a first round bye into the quarterfinals. Belen is in the first year of head coach Greg Henington with an improved offense averaging 35.4 points per game. The Eagles are led by quarterback Zach Halterman, running back Diego Casillas and back Tim Bunker.

Prediction: Los Lunas 24, Belen 21

Previews and Predictions: 6A Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals of the state playoffs is here and we preview the slate of games for week 13 of the New Mexico High School football season.

More: 4A Previews | Small School Previews

6A - Schedule & Times

No. 8 Onate @ No. 1 Rio Rancho, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 5 Manzano @ No. 4 Centennial, Saturday, Nov. 19th, 1PM
No. 6 Clovis @ No. 3 Las Cruces, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 10 Mayfield @ No. 2 Cleveland, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM

Previews

No. 1 Rio Rancho (10-0) vs No. 8 Onate (7-4): The Onate Knights move into the quarterfinals after an opening round victory over La Cueva. The Knights and Rams of Rio Rancho met early this season on September 16th, a 38-10 win by Rio Rancho. The Rams one of the deeper programs in New Mexico have Mr. Football candidate Josh Foley as the must see player plus the x-factor. Easy to put a player that is averaging 155 rushing yards per game but stopping Foley is a task that doesn't come easy but he did have 63-rushing yards on 13 carries in the first meeting. Onate has a possible candidate of their own in Forest Mckee, MLB, who could be the factor for the Knights in this contest. McKee is coming off an impressive opening round game both defensively and offensively.

Prediction: Rio Rancho 31, Onate 27

No. 2 Cleveland (9-1) vs No. 10 Mayfield (6-5): As a ten seed the Mayfield Trojans are unlike any team seeded this low. The Trojans have a reach history of playing well late into the season. Both teams haven't met this season and the differences will be a Storm offense putting up 40 plus points per game, along with allowing 27 points per game. Mayfield is averaging 32 points per game and only allowing 22 per game. Mayfield at times is inconsistently in a game having sound quarters but also let down quarters. Cleveland has weapons, plenty of them. College level prospects are on both ends. Cleveland gets the x-factor in the trenches with an experienced and talented bunch.

Prediction: Cleveland 39, Mayfield 23

No. 3 Las Cruces (9-1) vs No. 6 Clovis (8-3): Maybe to some surprise, just by the fact of how well they have played and grew up so fast is the Las Cruces Bulldawgs. They have a new head coach, junior quarterback taking over in Payton Ball who is on the radar for being a candidate for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football award and a handful of new talent on this roster. Many thought it would be a rebuild/reload learning type of year that is on a fast track. Clovis comes in with talent, experience and a legendary head coach. Look for another Mr. Football candidate in Micah Gray coming into the contest, with a possibility for an upset. Where to turn to for an x-factor? Las Cruces O-Line is stout, Clovis D-Line is among the best so we settle on some of the experience factor. Will it play into the favor for Clovis or the know-no-better Las Cruces young Dawgs?

Prediction: Las Cruces 38, Clovis 30

No. 4 Centennial (8-2) vs No. 5 Manzano (9-2): Who is the fourth ranked team in New Mexico? Centennnial took the first round but this fight has a second round and we get to settle the conversation on Saturday afternoon (1pm). Centennial has the under-appreicated head coach in Aaron Ocampo who is the king of building programs. Manzano has head coach Chad Adcox who could be on the fast track for Coach of the Year taking a Manzano team that was predicted to finish fourth/fifth in District Play (not in the state). The X-factor in this contest is in the hands of a Manzano defense that is only allowing 13 points per game. This was marked as the upset possibility and the line is in favor of Manzano. The two met early in the season a 28-21 come from behind win by Centennial after trailing 21-7 at halftime. Our game player to wait and hear from is Alejandro Vallejos (Manzano).

Prediction: Manzano 28, Centennial 27

Previews: 4A Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals of the state playoffs is here and we preview the slate of games for week 13 of the New Mexico High School football season.

More: Predicting the Brackets | First Round Awards | Ranking the Upset Chances

4A Preview Link Below
https://nmpreps.rivals.com/news/previews-4a-quarterfinals

Upset Chances: Most Likely to Upset in the Quarters

Today, we rank the games that we feel are the ones to watch if you are looking for an upset across the state.

6A

No. 5 Manzano over No. 4 Centennial: Yes, we agree this is not much of an upset in terms of both teams seeded right one after another. Also, in the Fab 50 Manzano is ranked 4th, Centennial 5th. However, a road game against a Cetennial team that has proved all season long they are a program to talk about. Why? Manzano is on a 7-game win streak and all cylinders are kicking. Early this season in a loss to Centeninal and Rio Rancho they couldn't seem to finish off four full quarters. That has since changed.

Ranking the Possibilities
No. 10 Mayfield vs No. 2 Cleveland (Above Average Chance)
No. 6 Clovis vs No. 3 Las Cruces (Not Hot/Not Cold)
No. 8 Onate vs No. 1 Rio Rancho (Cold Chance)

5A

No. 5 Los Lunas over No. 4 Belen: Well, again we decided to not reach even though the 10-2 match up was intriguing, as it was in 6A. The Los Lunas Tigers struggled some mid-season injuries and identity problems but lately have been playing better than they had all season. O'maury Samuels has the last chance to leave his legacy in New Mexico, he started it off with a first round outstanding showing with 175-yards on 6 carries.

Ranking the Others
No. 10 Farmington vs No. 2 St. Pius X (Above Average Chance)
No. 11 Miyamura vs No. 3 Roswell (Not Hot/Not Cold)
No. 8 Alamogordo vs No. 1 Artesia (Cold Chance)

Ranking the Rest
(4A) St. Mikes over Moriarty
(3A) Santa Rosa over Dexter
(8-Man) Magdalena over Melrose

Who's planning on going where?

Last Call: Post Season Award Nominations

2016 Post Season Awards
QB: List All Nominations & Stats
RB:: List All Nominations & Stats
WR: List All Nominations & Stats
TE: List All Nominations & Stats
OL: List All Nominations & Stats
DL: List All Nominations & Stats
S: List All Nominations & Stats
CB: List All Nominations & Stats
LB: List All Nominations & Stats
K: List All Nominations & Stats

Top 100 Player Rankings
Please submit nominations, stats and send photos (if you have). Also, hudl links.

Los Lunas at Volcano Vista Nov. 30th

Belen at Los Lunas Jan 4th

Belen at Valencia Jan 18th

Cleveland at Belen Jan 2oth

Kirby Invite at Belen Jan 21

Rio Grande at Belen Jan 25

Robertson Invite in Las Vegas 1/27- 1/28

I could not find the information on the LL/Valencia dual. that should be a good one as well.

How I'm Predicting The 2016 State Tournament...Again.

Today, we pick the state playoffs bracket for the second time. The first round is over and we had plenty wrong, some right and now with the luxury of this job we get to pick again.

6A

Quarterfinals
(1) Rio Rancho over (8) Onate: Rio Rancho is too good.
(2) Cleveland over (10) Mayfield: Cleveland if you've forgotten is deep.
(5) Manzano over (4) Centennial: I like both teams, Manzano has "moxy".
(6) Clovis over (3) Las Cruces: I've done this two years in a row but staying with my pre-season pick of Clovis in the semi-finals.

Semi-Finals
(1) Rio Rancho over (5) Manzano: Manzano played well in the first against Rio Rancho in the first meeting. Still it's Rio Rancho.
(2) Cleveland over (6) Clovis: Cleveland has far too many weapons.

Championship
(1) Rio Rancho over (2) Cleveland: Your turn.

5A

Quartfinals
(1) Artesia over (8) Alamogordo: Love what Alamogordo has done but Artesia had their one 5A loss three weeks ago.
(2) St. Pius X over (10) Farmington: Don't know how you would pick against this team.
(3) Roswell over (11) Miyamura: Midnight eventually comes (unless you remember 6A basketball).
(5) Los Lunas over (4) Belen: Another pre-season pick I have to stick with.

Semi-Finals
(5) Los Lunas over (1) Artesia: Grine is reaching. You can let me hear it.
(3) Roswell over (2) St. Pius X: Roswell highly underrated.

Championship
(5) Los Lunas over (3) Roswell: The Tigers will play to their strength and they have some weapons.

4A

Quarterfinals
(1) Robertson over (8) Ruidoso: Robertson D will be too much for the Warriors.
(2) Portales over (10) Silver: The Rams are solid and you'll see how muchI like them.
(4) Cobre over (5) Hatch: Going against the gut and sticking with Cobre.
(6) St. Mike's over (3) Moriarty: Not going against it this time.

Semi-Finals
(1) Robertson over (4) Cobre: I wanted to pick Cobre as that tough schedule prepared them, Robertson has a good thing going.
(2) Portales over (6) St. Mikes: Portales had the one loss early, this team is good.

Championship
(2) Portales over (1) Robertson: The year of picks against the seed/rank. I like both though. Coin flip.


GO!

The Heart of Texas Bowl will be played in Copperas Cove, TX at 6 PM on Dec. 3rd. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 3. ENMU (LSC) vs Ft.Hays (MIAA)

Mark Ribaudo interim Head Coach at Abilene Christian

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Del Norte High and UNM graduate and current Texas A@M Track and Field Coach is going to be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Henry has won close to 50 National Championships in Men's and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. Led Hobbs to the 1980 State track and field championship before moving into the junior college ranks at Blinn where he won two National titles.

What game!

what road team wins this week

What do you have this week

How many of you guys have an athletic period? Are you on a block or all period schedule? Reason I ask is we might be going to an all period schedule and curious how you make athletic period work. We have all boys sports in the same period so we have to schedule the weightroom to accommodate all sports.

HC Brandon Back on paid leave pending investigation. This was reported by James Yodice of the Abq journal

Most Intriguing 5A Quarterfinal Game?

Jaedyn De La Cerda signed with UNM.

Week 12: First Round Awards

Before we begin the next step as teams are gearing up for the State quarterfinals we take a look at the top performers from last week.

Player of the Week

(1) Micah Gray, Clovis. The 5-foot-11 senior running back for the Clovis Wildcats, who has 1,648-yards on the season and 29 touchdowns, led them to a first round win. Gray, accounted for 240-rushing yards and 3-touchdowns in the win.

All-Tate Branch Team - First Round.

Running backs: New Mexico has a special group of running backs this season and they continued to live up to that hype. (2) O'maury Samuels the senior form Los Lunas rushed for 175-yards and 3-touchdowns in 6-carries in the opening round. (3) Sal Yanez the running back from Onate continues to keep his name among the top running backs in the state with 232-yards and 3-touchdowns. (4) Dee Smith, like Yanez, continues to have to prove himself and he does not disappoint. Smith rushed for 130-yards and 2-touchdowns in the opener.

In 4A football we take a look at one running back who could win the 4A running back of the year and we have one who could take home newcomer of the year. (5) Saul Trujillo of Hatch Valley has put up some very impressive numbers this season he continued that with 279-yards and 3-touchdowns in the opener. (6) Isaiah Otero of Ruidoso has filled in for one of the top running backs in New Mexico and poured in 264-yards and 4-touchdowns in the opener.

Quarterbacks: One name that hasn't faded and continues to play very well is (7) Kyle Hooper of Alamogordo. Hooper, who is being recruited to play college football, had 289-yards, 3-touchdowns in the opening round win over Del Norte (45-14). A name we know, a name we haven't heard much about this season as the team has struggled, (8) Torry Locklin had over 200-yards passing in the opening round.

Special Teams: (9) Donovan Gonzalez of Farmington took the opening kick 95-yards as Farmington had the upset over Aztec in the opening round. (10) Brett Money, of Alamogordo is the kicker we know about he played well again hitting a 27-yard FG.

Newbies: (11) Jacob Luna of Los Lunas had a 65-yard run in the win over Kirtland Central. Another name not mentioned this season is (12) Steven Gay of Mayfield who had a pass over 70-yards and caught one of his own from 28-yards out. Continuing our section of names not mentioned or little mentioned is a wide receiver who had 119-yards and a touchdown in (13) Alex Bates from Ruidoso.

Last Show: (14) Ryan McCarty of Taos had a few touchdowns in the opening loss, one a 48-yard TD catch. (15) Fausto Barazini of NMMI was impressive in the opening half of the loss to Hatch. He had a 53-yard TD on the night.

Under the Radar: Two names who have played well but somehow fly under the radar this season is Ruidoso quarterback (16) Brennam Stewart, he passed for 187-yards and 2-touchdowns. The other is (17) Shane Cooper of Hatch Valley who had 161-yards.

Team of the Week: (18) Miyamura Patriots had an impressive week and we know why, if you've lived under a rock, they beat 6-seed Goddard 26-24 in the opening round in what could be considered the biggest upset in the state playoff history.

Coach of the Week: (19) WH Shank, Miyamura. How could we not mention the coach who led his team to one of the biggest upsets in the state tournament.

Called It: The final section is one that I will gloat for a bit. I picked (20) Lordsburg to win 2A at the start of the season and again when they were the 3-seed in the bracket. The only reason I gloat is for the fact that I am wrong more than I am right (duh) but secondly because I had an e-mail that said I was nuts if I thought Fort Sumner would lose. Kudos to a great program!

Top Performers - First Round

Micah Gray - Clovis - 240-yards rushing, 3 touchdowns
Kyle Hooper - Alamogordo - 19/28 289 yds 3 TDs, 10 carries 91 yds 1 TD.
O'maury Samuels - Los Lunas - 175-yards rushing, 3 touchdowns.
Torry Locklin - Mayfield - Over 200-yards passing, 2 touchdowns.
Dee Smith - Alamogordo - 130-yards rushing, 2 touchdowns.
Devon Quiroz - Goddard - 170-yards rushing, 2 touchdowns.
David Johnson (Jr) - Alamogordo - WR - 9 catches 113 yds 2 TDS
Chamar Norman (JR) - Alamogordo -WR - 2 catches 70 yds 1 TD
Rhett Munoz (Sr) - Alamogordo -LB- 4 tackles
Alex Alton (Sr) S - Alamogordo -4 tackles
Brett Money (Fr) - Alamogordo -K - 27 yd field goal, 6 for 6 PATs, 2 Touchbacks, 1 onside kick we got back. (9 points)
Sal Yanez - Onate - 232-yards, 3-touchdowns.
Matt Young - Onate - 8-tackles, 1 sack.
Forest McKee - Onate - 14-tackles, 2-int, 1-sack, 2 rushing touchdowns.
Zack Puricelli - Onate - pick 6.
Seth Lopez - Clovis - 4-carries, 56-yards.
Jonathan Avila - Clovis - 12 tackles.
Steven Gay - Mayfield - Caught a 28-yard TD, passed for a 71-yard TD.
Tomas Gallegos- Clovis Safety - 5 solo tackles, 7 assisted tackles, 12 total, 2 PBU
Saul Trujillo, - Hatch - RB/CB 22 rushes 279 yards 3 TDs, 58 yards receiving 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 6 tackles
Shane Cooper Carson, - Hatch -QB/LB 21 rushes 161 yards 3 TDs, 121 yards passing 1 TD
Isaiah Otero - Ruidoso - rushed for 264 yards and 4 TD's
QB Brennam Stewart -Ruidoso - threw for 187 yards 2 TD's
WR Alex Bates - Ruidoso - 4 rec 119 yards TD
Devon Quirez - Goddard - 170-yards rushing.

Is this Fair or Cheating in your opinion?

Meyer in disbelief over Saban's use of NFL players in practice.

http://www.thescore.com/news/1155935

After a wild weekend in College Football the Playoff Rankings have been updated.

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan
4. Clemson
5. Louisville
6. Washington
7. Wisconsin
8. Penn State
9. Oklahoma
10. Colorado
11. Oklahoma State
12. Utah
13. USC
14. West Virginia
15. Auburn
16. LSU
17. Florida State
18. Nebraska
19. Tennessee
20. Boise State
21. Western Michigan
22. Washington State
23. Florida
24. Stanford
25. Texas A&M

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Louisville
4. Michigan
5. Clemson
6. Wisconsin
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Penn State
10. West Virginia

Do you agree with them?

District Preview: Three Ranked in Top-10 from 1-6A

Today, we take a quick look at District 1-6A. The basketball season officially started on October 31st, 2016 and we continue to look at each team/program.

Overview

In football this has been considered one of the toughest Districts in the classification. For one, like in football, they return the 2016 State Champion. Next, they return the player of the year in the New Mexico NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball award winner in Clay Patterson (Rio Rancho High School). Last, they return four players on our Top 10 players entering the season. Overall top-down this will be the toughest district in the state to win and could see all five teams dancing in March of the 16 that make the state tournament from 6A.

Predicted Finish

1. Rio Rancho Rams (Last Season: State Champs/19-12)
6A Pre-Season Ranking: #1
Why: Believe it or not the Rams didn't win the district last season. In fact they didn't even play for the championship. However, with five players returning from the Top 100 Player Rankings you have to like them this coming season. Clay Patterson and Juan Hurt make for one of the best backcourts however the front court will be one of the best with Joe Elmalhy, Derrick Reyes and Keyshawn Banks.

2. Cibola Cougars (Last Season: 23-6)
6A Pre-Season Ranking: #3
Why: In most cases the Cougars could argue as being the favorite in this district. However, it's hard to argue against the State Champions. Cibola returns Desmond Carpenter, one of the best point guards in the state, who also returns Cameron Dixon creating one of the best backcourts.Throw in Zach Baca and Brito to the depth.

3. Cleveland Storm (Last Season: 23-8)
6A Pre-Season Ranking: #5
Why: The Storm will have their second head coach in program history with former Rio Grande head coach Sean Jimenez taking over for Brian Smith. The Storm return some talent including Marcus Hill, Jayden Phillips and Adam Cook to create one of the best teams projected to take third in their district.

4. Volcano Vista Hawks (Last Season: 13-15)
6A Pre-Season Ranking: #6
Why: It's hard to imagine that one district would have four teams in the top six of one classification. This district is that could and with a talent like David Cormier, a 6-foot-6 stretch four this could be the surprise team of the year in 6A, not just 1-6A.

5. Piedra Vista Panthers (Last Season: 14-14) *5A
6A Pre-Season Ranking: NR
Why: The Panthers the newbie to 6A basketball will have a tall task, one that Santa Fe High School is glad to avoid this season. The Panthers also have a new head coach in former Bloomfield head coach Devon Manning this season and return a stud in Jarrett Graham (2018) who scored a team second best 13.6 points per game last season as a junior.

3 Questions to Shape the District

1. What New Coach Has Better Success? Sean Jimenez seems like the likely choice here for Cleveland but Devon Manning essentially has less of the pressure. Depends on what success you are looking for but for the Storm a Final Four or State Title game is the perceived destination. For Manning a state tournament bid is the goal and could be attained, they have talent.

2. Can Rio Rancho duplicate as a target? The Rams were somewhat of a roller coaster season in 2015/2016 before their run to a title. In fact they lost their last 5-games before the state tournament. They have the talent but it will be much tougher with a huge target on their back.

3. Will coach Rodriguez and Cibola Finally Get Over the Dreaded Hill? Many times we discuss the talent Cibola will have. Many times we buy in and say this is the year. Many times, most of the time, we were wrong on getting over the hill into the state title game. Will this be the year? I want to say yes. History wants to say no. My response is - Desmond Carpenter is a special talent. I like this kid a lot, good court awareness, but overall good character player. I might go against better judgement and say yes.

Preseason NMPreps.com All-District Team
(Ten Players)

1. Clay Patterson - Rio Rancho
2. Desomnd Carpenter - Cibola
3. David Cormier - Volcano Vista
4. Juan Hurt - Rio Rancho
5. Cameron Dixon - Cibola
6. Marcus Hill - Cleveland
7. Jayden Phillips - Cleveland
8. Derrick Reyes - Rio Rancho
9. Jarrett Graham - Piedra Vista
10. Zach Baca - Cibola

Wilbert Nez is the new head coach. Turner out due to personal issues with the district

Rio Rancho doesn't win the state title or Josh Foley not winning Mr Football:

Clovis beating Las Cruces or Mayfield beating Cleveland

Manzano beating Centennial or Farmington beating St Pius:

Los Lunas winning state title or St Pius winning state title:

Roswell winning it all or Portales