Closer Look: 6A Bracket Watch (Thursday-Saturday)

This edition of the Bracket Watch will be updated Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the release of the brackets. How we take our look. We use the critera but we have to have a starting point so we start from section 5 and make our way down.

Criteria
1. Finish in regular season district play
2. Head to Head
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class
4. Overall Record
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings
6. Member School Input (see following form)
– To be submitted by head coach prior to 8:00 AM on the day of seeding.
Note: Football “School Input Form” will be submitted prior to 6:00 PM on the day of seeding

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UPDATED Week 11 Thursday Bracket Seeds

1. Rio Rancho (No need to debate)
2. Cleveland
3. Las Cruces
4. Centennial
5. Manzano
6. Volcano Vista
7. Clovis
8. Onate
9. La Cueva
10. Mayfield
11. Eldorado
12. Atrisco Heritage Academy

How We Got Here: Process
We started with Freeman Rankings and Used Criteria

Rankings (Freeman)
1 Rio Rancho
2 Cleveland
3 Las Cruces
4 Manzano
5 Centennial
6 Volcano Vista
7 Clovis
8 Onate
9 Mayfield
10 La Cueva
11 Eldorado
12 Piedra Vista
13 Cibola
14 Carlsbad
15 Sandia
16 Atrisco Heritage Academy
17 Hobbs
18 Albuquerque

2-Seed (Cleveland vs Las Cruces)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Las Cruces
2. Head to Head: Cleveland
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Cleveland
4. Overall Record: Tie
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Cleveland
6. Member School Input (see following form):

3-Seed (Las Cruces vs Manzano)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Tie
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Manzano
4. Overall Record: Las Cruces
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Las Cruces
6. Member School Input (see following form):

4-Seed (Centennial vs Manzano) - Potential Tie With #6. Gave to Centennial if goes to tie.
1. Finish in regular season district play: Manzano
2. Head to Head: Centennial
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Tie
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Manzano
6. Member School Input (see following form):

5-Seed (Manzano vs Volcano Vista)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Manzano
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Tie
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Manzano
6. Member School Input (see following form):

6- Seed (Volcano vs Onate)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Tie
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Volcano Vista
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Volcano Vista
6. Member School Input (see following form):

7- Seed (Clovis vs Onate)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Clovis
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Clovis
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Clovis
6. Member School Input (see following form):

6- Seed (Volcano vs Clovis) - Clovis jumped Onate
1. Finish in regular season district play: Clovis
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Volcano Vista
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Volcano Vista
6. Member School Input (see following form):

8- Seed (Onate vs Mayfield) - Onate District Finish

9- Seed (Mayfield vs La Cueva)
1. Finish in regular season district play: La Cueva
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: La Cueva
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Mayfield
6. Member School Input (see following form):

8- Seed (Onate vs La Cueva)
1. Finish in regular season district play: La Cueva
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Onate
4. Overall Record: Tie (La Cueva Could win)
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Onate
6. Member School Input (see following form):

10-Seed (Mayfield vs Eldorado)
1. Finish in regular season district play: Tie
2. Head to Head: Mayfield
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie (Eldo could win)
4. Overall Record: Mayfield
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Mayfield
6. Member School Input (see following form):

11- Seed (Eldorado vs Cibola) - Cibola jump PV as District Finish
1. Finish in regular season district play: Eldorado
2. Head to Head: N/A
3. Wins against district champions regardless of class: Tie
4. Overall Record: Eldorado
5. MaxPreps Freeman Rankings: Eldorado
6. Member School Input (see following form):

Las Cruces vs Mayfield +2,500 either way
Goddard vs Roswell +2500 either way.
Atrisco Heritage Academy vs Albuquerque +1,000 (Upset is Albuquerque +1,600)
Cleveland vs Volcano Vista +1,000 (Upset is Volcano Vista +1,750)
Manzano vs Sandia +500 (Upset is Sandia +1,750)
Capitan vs Eunice +800 (Upset is Eunice +1,300)
Farmington vs Bloomfield +800 (Upset is Bloomfield +1,200)
Hobbs vs Carlsbad +500 either way
Estancia vs Laguna-Acoma +500 (Upset is Laguna +1,300)
Lordsburg vs Escalante +1,000 either way
San Jon vs Vaughn +900 (Upset is Vaughn +1,500)

Las Cruces vs Mayfield +2,500 either way
Pick: Las Cruces
Why: I was dumb last week (several times) picking against the Dawgs. I don't care the rivalry I am sold on Payton Ball and the Bulldawgs. Team is solid right now.

Goddard vs Roswell +2500 either way.
Pick: Roswell
Why: Goddard is playing better but I have a feeling the Coyotes are going to run to a big win in this one.

Atrisco Heritage Academy vs Albuquerque +1,000 (Upset is Albuquerque +1,600)
Pick: Albuquerque
Why: Make it the Dog family again (Bulldawgs, Coyotes). Well, the favorite is Atrisco. For some reason the Albuquerque Bulldogs are winning, for that unknown reason I am picking them.

Cleveland vs Volcano Vista +1,000 (Upset is Volcano Vista +1,750)
Pick: Storm
Why: Don't know if the Hawks can handle what the Storm bring in depth. Both sides of the ball are strong.

Manzano vs Sandia +500 (Upset is Sandia +1,750)
Pick: Manzano
Why: Manzano could be the best team with the least respect given this season. Coach Adcox has to be in the talk for coach of the year.

Capitan vs Eunice +800 (Upset is Eunice +1,300)
Pick: Capitan
Why: In small school this is the squad to watch. Ranked in the Fab 50 for a reason.

Farmington vs Bloomfield +800 (Upset is Bloomfield +1,200)
Pick: Farmington
Why: Almost went Bloomfield but Farmington has owned this district, a loss could hurt playoffs so I don't see that happening.

Hobbs vs Carlsbad +500 either way
Pick: Hobbs
Why: Offense will put up too many points for the Carlsbad Cavemen to hang.

Estancia vs Laguna-Acoma +500 (Upset is Laguna +1,300)
Pick: Estancia
Why: Tapia. Short and sweet.

Lordsburg vs Escalante +1,000 either way
Pick: Lordsburg
Why: I broke it down in our preview. They are my pick to win it all.

San Jon vs Vaughn +900 (Upset is Vaughn +1,500)
Pick: San Jon
Why: We know I love my Allsups Burrito but San Jon wins this round.

GRINE'S RECORD
Last Week: 9-3
Overall Record: 79-34

Onate 7-0 on Centennial

Who are the top contenders for the upcoming wrestling season?

Week 11: Playoff Watch

The final week of the regular season could shake up the potential seeds for the 2016 playoffs. Week 10 brought a huge shake up and more could come with the slate of games to end the season.

6A
1. Rio Rancho
2. Cleveland
3. Las Cruces
4. Manzano
5. Centennial
6. Volcano Vista
7. Onate
8. Clovis
9. Mayfield
10. La Cueva
11. Eldorado
12. Atrisco Heritage Academy
Bubble: Valley, Carlsbad, Albuquerque

5A
1. St. Pius X
2. Goddard
3. Artesia
4. Roswell
5. Belen
6. Los Lunas
7. Alamogordo
8. Aztec
9. Del Norte
10. Farmington
11. Miyamura
12. Kirtland Central
Bubble: Capital, Bloomfield, Grants

4A
1. Robertson
2. Portales
3. Cobre
4. Hatch Valley
5. Moriarty
6. St. Mike's
7. Ruidoso
8. Silver
9. Taos
10. West Las Vegas
11. NMMI
12. Shiprock

3A
1. Estancia
2. Capitan
3. Dexter
4. Eunice
5. Texico
6. Santa Rosa
7. McCurdy
8. Raton
9. Crownpoint
10. Newcomb
11. Laguna-Acoma
12. Tucumcari
Bubble: Tularosa

One week from today the election will be over and it will be playoff season!

Week 11: Rapid Fire Friday

Today, we look at the games happening around the state of New Mexico in Week 11.

Game of the Week: No. 3 Las Cruces (7-1) vs No. 8 Mayfield (5-4). What more could we write in this section about this game. Check it all out here. 50-years of Mayfield vs Las Cruces.

Upset Watch of the Week: Hobbs (2-7) vs No. 19 Carlsbad (3-6). I am taking the Eagles in this game as they close out the regular season with a win, their third of the year and head into the off-season on a high note. This squad is young and will be back to a playoff contender in 2017.

Coaching match up to Watch: Chris White, Goddard vs Jeff Lynn, Roswell. Yes, White returns to the list after a monster upset last week in this section. This match up puts two coaches that we are sure to hear about for years to come. What a game to see.

X Factor of the Week: Payton Ball, Las Cruces. We used his name in the preview this week and what more from an x-factor other than a quarterback playing on one of the biggest stages in New Mexico. Ball has been phenomenal this season and should continue to shine.

Under Hyped Game: No. 23 Aztec (6-3) vs Miyamura (7-2). We have a district title watch game here. Aztec has the lead right now after Miyamura fell to Farmington last week. Aztec wins the district if they beat Miyamura.

Close call Game: Atrisco Heritage Academy (3-5) vs Albuquerque (5-4). Atrisco, like Aztec above, have the chance to win the district and earn an automatic bid to the state playoffs. Albuquerque High started slow, lost their head coach a week before the season but could have a 6-win season with the win here.

Shootout Game: No. 2 Cleveland (8-1) vs No. 5 Volcano Vista (7-2). This one could actually come down to a defensive showdown as many have mentioned but I am still sold that both could end up scoring in the 40's and I hope so.

Under the Radar Close Call: Cobre vs Socorro. I don't know why, Cobre is the big favorite, but I like this game to be on upset watch. Could be the upset game to see and talk about.

Week 11: Top-25 Game Previews

The final weekend of the regular season for New Mexico High School football is here. Most teams will play their final game, some have plenty on the line to keep playoffs hopes alive and others are positioning for a top seed in the playoffs.

More: 3-Months Free to NMPrepscom | Las Cruces-Mayfield 50 Years

Top-25 Previews

No. 1 Rio Rancho (9-0) vs Piedra Vista (5-4), Friday, 7pm
Points For: RR 409, PV 173
Points Against: RR 103, PV 216
Player: Josh Foley (RR), Elijah Gamboa (PV).
X-Factor: Rio Rancho D-Line.
Preview: The Rio Rancho Rams are one of the most dominating teams in New Mexico this season and will be overwhelming favorites. Piedra Vista has two players on the ground in Gamboa and Avery Norton but the X-factor is the Rams D-Line that will likely limit any movement in the chains.

Prediction: Rio Rancho 57, Piedra Vista 7

No. 2 Cleveland (8-1) vs No. 5 Volcano Vista (7-2), Friday, 7pm
Points For: CHS 359, VV 351
Points Against: CHS 230, VV 191
Players: Angelo Trujillo (CHS), Chris Streetz (VV)
X-Factor: Cleveland in the Trenches
Preview: If it wasn't for 20,000 fans and New Mexico's prize game to watch this could be the game of the week. We know the offensive weapons on both ends but Volcano Vista could struggle with our x-factor in the OL/DL line for Cleveland being one of the best, should hold the Hawks under the average of 39-points a game.

Prediction: Cleveland 42, Volcano Vista 27.

No. 3 Las Cruces (8-1) vs No. 8 Mayfield (5-4), Friday, 7pm
Points For: LC 363, MHS 300
Points Against: LC 180, MHS 211
Players: Payton Ball (LC), Gavin Swinson (MHS)
X-Factor: Stopping Ball (not the ball).
Preview: The game that is highly anticipated each year by 20,000 fans. Las Cruces is home to the most watched game in New Mexico (college included). One player who has been not been given the recognition that he deserves but Payton Ball is the x-factor because he has been known to win games.

Prediction: Las Cruces 37, Mayfield 30

No. 4 Manzano (7-2) vs Sandia (3-6), Friday, 7pm
Points For: MHS 292, SHS 204
Points Against: MHS 143, SHS 237
Players: Jordan Byrd (MHS), Jacob Archibeque (SHS)
X-Factor: Manzano Special Teams
Preview: Weird to see an x-factor being special teams but the Monarchs have athletes, athletes that have some serious gears. We have seen them get great field position and break free for points. Sandia a special team will provide a fight in their season ending game but this season just got away from them.

Prediction: Manzano 33, Sandia 14

No. 6 Centennial (7-2) vs No. 7 Onate (6-3), Thursday, 7pm
Points For: CHS 320, OHS 284
Points Against: CHS 224, OHS 203
Players: Aaron Sanchez (OHS), JR Pena (CHS)
X-Factor: Ground Attack, Stops.
Preview: Make it for back-to-back must see games in Las Cruces this weekend. This game moved to Thursday night provides with all of the punch in a headline game. Centennial brings the air attack and sound run game while Onate has three weapons on O with a stout D. The deference maker will be what team makes the stop on D.

Prediction: Centennial 35, Onate 34

No. 9 Clovis (6-3) vs No. 10 La Cueva (6-3), Friday, 7pm
Points For: CHS 278, LC 302
Points Against: CHS 162, LC 159
Players: Chris Campbell (LC), Micah Gray (CHS)
X-Factor: Clovis Defense
Preview: The Clovis Wildcats have one of the most underrated defensive units in the state. Outside of Rio Rancho, the Wildcats have held opponents to under their scoring average. La Cueva will have their own x-factor in being one of the better passing teams that Clovis has faced and could be the x-factor that affects the game.

Prediction: Clovis 27, La Cueva 24.

Previews: 10-25

No. 12 Roswell (7-2) vs No. 13 Goddard (6-3): Another close game on Friday night putting two programs evenly matched and with plenty of playoff implications. Prediction: Roswell 42-39.

No. 14 Artesia (7-2) vs Lovington (1-8): The Bulldogs will go deep into the roster in the game, preparing for the playoffs. Taylor Null (QB) should find the end zone early before taking a rest. Prediction: Artesia 50-0.

No. 15 Eldorado (4-5) vs Santa Fe (0-9): Eldorado needs a win, Eldorado should move along easily in this contest. The Eagles offense can fly when they take off. Prediction: Eldorado 50-0.

No. 16 Belen (7-2) vs Grants (5-4): Grants has struggled big when facing Fab 50 or Top-25 teams. Belen has an offense that could get moving and can get over the Pirates secondary for several scores. Prediction: Belen 35-14.

No. 17 Robertson (9-0) vs Pojoaque Valley (4-5): Robertson is solid on both ends of the ball and should move along easily in this contest. Robertson defense only allows 14 points per game, Pojoaque is allowing 33 points per game. This one will end early. Prediction: Robertson 50-0.

No. 18 Los Lunas (6-3) vs Valencia (1-7-1): A new rivalry in New Mexico, but the game will not resemble that of a rivalry game. Los Lunas has too many weapons and too good this season. They started to get the engine going again last week ending their 3-game skid, should end quick. Prediction: Los Lunas 50-0.

No. 19 Carlsbad (3-6) vs Hobbs (2-7): Carlsbad could double their win total with a win here (2-wins in 2015). The Carlsbad run attack is good, will have to be great losing their QB but they will need to get into the endzone. Hobbs has Gavin Hardison-Cayson Clay connection that might be too much for the Cavemen. Prediction: Hobbs 42-21.

No. 20 Estancia (9-1) vs Laguna-Acoma (6-3): Estancia has the only candidate for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football from 3A football. Ezekiel Tapia is not only the x-factor, he is y and z ability to run through the Hawks defense. Prediction: Estancia 44-7.

No. 21 Alamogordo (5-4) vs Deming (0-9): Alamogordo could be hitting the right stride heading into the playoffs. Starters will get some rest this week but look for Dee Smith (RB) and Kyle Hooper (QB) to be in the Top Performers list. Prediction: Alamogordo 50-0.

No. 22 Portales (8-1) vs New Mexico Military Institute (3-6): NMMI is in the conversation for a playoff spot. Win or lose they could still be in the playoffs, however an upset would solidify their spot. Portales is too good though and the defense will stop an underrated NMMI run attack. Prediction: Portales 42-10.

No. 23 Aztec (6-3) vs Miyamura (7-2): Aztec might be the biggest surprise of the season and this passing attack has been solid. Cody Smith (Aztec) could find himself in the conversation for 5A player of the year. Prediction: Aztec 34-27.

No. 24 Moriarty (8-1) vs Ruidoso (5-4): The Pintos dropped their first game of the season but this defense proved its worth last week. They have to stop Ruidoso's top RB, they should be fine in that containment. Prediction: Moriarty 24-14.

No. 25 Farmington (3-5-1) vs Bloomfield (4-5): The Scorpions have played well recently but will need to show better on defense to avoid a potential upset from Bloomfield. However, Bloomfield, who has struggled early at times on offense will need to hit all cylinders. Prediction: Farmington 37-27.

Outside The Top-25

Last Chance Game: Valley (3-6) vs Highland (1-7-1): Valley, if you can believe it, has a chance to win the district with a win here and Atrisco Heritage Academy loss.

Planting Seeds: Cobre (5-4) takes on Socorro, avoiding an upset here could put them in the Top-4 seeds, giving them a bye.

Home Game: St Mikes (6-3) takes on West Las Vegas for a chance at a high seed.

Rebound Game: Hatch Valley (7-2) was upset last week, it shocked all of us. They should be fine against Hot Springs but can't let a loss get contagious.

District Championship/Playoff Spot: Atrisco Heritage Academy (3-5) and Albuquerque (5-4) are both (3-1) in district play, with one spot to give for the playoffs from this district, consider this the river card.

Schedule

Thursday, November 3rd
Highland vs Valley
Onate vs Centennial
Rio Grande vs West Mesa

Friday, November 4th
Alamogordo vs Deming
Artesia vs Lovington
Atrisco Heritage vs Albuquerque
Belen vs Grants
Capital vs Los Alamos
Capitan vs Eunice
Carlsbad vs Hobbs
Chaparral vs Santa Teresa
Clayton vs Texico
Cleveland vs Volcano Vista
Crownpoint vs Zuni
Farmington vs Bloomfield
Goddard vs Roswell
Hatch Valley vs Hot Springs
Jal vs Fort Sumner
Kirtland Central vs Gallup
La Cueva vs Clovis
Laguna vs Estancia
Las Cruces vs Mayfield
Logan vs Mountainair
Loving vs Tularosa
Manzano vs Sandia
McCurdy vs Dulce
Menaul vs Dora
Mescalero vs Cloudcroft
Miyamura vs Aztec
Navajo Prep vs Shiprock
Newcomb vs Tohatchi
Piedra Vista vs Rio Rancho
Pojoaque Valley vs Robertson
Portales vs NMMI
Ramah vs Carrizozo
Ruidoso vs Moriarty
Socorro vs Cobre
Taos vs Bernalillo
Thoreau vs Wingate
Tucumcari vs Raton
Valencia vs Los Lunas

Saturday, November 5th
Lake Arthur vs Animas
Lordsburg vs Escalante
Santa Fe vs Eldorado
Vaughn vs San Jon
West Las Vegas vs St. Michael's

Week 11 Bold Statement

Clovis still considered a semi-final team?

Hatch Valley will still play in the state title game?

Taos could end up being a Top-8 team?

Volcano Vista will upset Cleveland?

It will be a Cleveland-Rio Rancho title game?

Roswell will beat Goddard by 10 points?

Centennial and Onate will score over 90-points combined?

2A Playoffs: Top Players to Watch This Post Season

Today, we highlight the must see players to watch this post season. The 2A bracket only has four teams but it could be a final four of talent with one semi-final game being a must see game this week in our Pick 'Em

Grine's Grinding Crystal Ball

State Champ: Lordsburg
Runner-Up: Fort Sumner
Skinny: Most want to pick, most have picked or will pick, the 1-seed Fort Sumner Foxes to win it all. Why wouldn't you? They dominated previously unbeaten Esclante, 45-26 this past weekend. However, I want to bet the house on Fort Sumner, they are just young and for some reason I want to pick the team that resembled them three/four years ago in the Lordsburg Mavericks who have a senior led team that has plenty of experience.

Top Quarterbacks - 2A

1. Johnny Plowman - Lordsburg
2. Jude Segura - Fort Sumner (2019)
3. Tristan Martinez - Escalante
4. Freddy Carrillo - Jal

The 2A bracket was released and we highlight the four quarterbacks in the conversation. The big name from the past weekend was sophomore quarterback Jude Segura. It was reported that he passed for 250-yards in a win over Escalante. Plowman, for Lordsburg has over 1,618-passing yards this season with 21-touchdowns.

Top Running Backs - 2A

1. Diego Aguilar - Escalante
2. Fransico Chavez - Fort Sumner (2020)
3. Raymond Saucedo - Lordsburg
4. Gavin Trevino - Jal (2019)

Aguilar leads the group right now with 734-yards but it is the freshman Fransico Chavez who could be the unknown about to be made known in the group. Raymond Saucedo is the name we have heard about for a few years now he has 7-touchdowns and 560-yards this season.

8-Man Playoffs: Top Players to Watch This Post Season

1. Gatewayvs 8-9 winner
9. Ramah @ 8. Carrizozo

4. Mesilla Valley vs 12-5 winner
12. Logan @ 5. Mountaineer

3. Magdalena vs 6-11 winner
11. Menual @ 6. Dora/Elida

2. Melrose vs 10-7 winner
10. Mescalero Apache @ 7. Cloudcroft

First Round Game to Watch: Mescalero Apace vs Cloudcroft
Upset Possibility: Logan vs Mountainair.
Top Seed That Could Play Two Games: Moutainair. If they avoid upset.

Grine's Grinding Crystal Ball

State Champ: Gateway Christian
Runner-Up: Melrose
Skinny: I wanted to go Melrose here. Most might go Melrose here. I just like how resilient this Warriors team from Gateway Christian is playing. They lose players to injury or other reasons and they find a way to win. Sometimes it hasn't been pretty but they have got the job done. This will likely be a re-match from week one and I continue to see the Warriors roll.


Top Players to Watch
Blaine Arnold - Gateway Christian (Sr)
Justin Reynolds - Gateway Christian (Jr)
Sterling Sena - Melrose (Jr)
Jordan Jasso - Melrose (Jr)
Carson Fraze - Melrose (Jr)
Justly Pierce - Melrose (Sr)
Jorrell Mirabal - Magdalena (Jr)
Lucas Zamora - Magdalena (Sr)
Christian Tsinnijinnie - Mescalero Apache
Malachi Kaydahzinne - Mescalero Apache
Nathan Toddy - Cloudcroft
Tyson Hughes - Cloudcroft

Issac Standridge, of, inf from la cueva high school under coach pineda has verbally committed to otero junior college.. Congratulations to the Standridge family coach pineda and the entire la cueva baseball program!!

Topic: Program Culture

Are you big on building a certain culture in your program or just build "baseball players"? If you are, what type of culture are you trying to build? What are some unique things you do in your program to create the culture you are trying to build?

DUMBEST MOVE IN BASEBALL ALL YEAR???? TAKING HENDRICKS OUT OF THE GAME!!!!

Who wins? Praying for the Cubs!

Who Wins: Las Cruces or Mayfield

@hotel312 does this remind you of anything?! What a mess!!

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Week 11 Questions

Goddard won 37-35. Can someone recap the last 5 mins of the game please?

Week 11: Most Likely to Upset

#5 Volcano Vista vs #2 Cleveland
Chances: High
Why: Most wouldn't consider a 5-2 game an upset. However, most people outside the Volcano faithful dont believe Cleveland will lose. Volcano will be hurt by Cleveland OL/DL's but the X-factor could be a Chris Streetz. We have mentioned David Cormier and Dillon Gassoway. Streetz, has been known to step in big games.

#8 Mayfield vs #3 Las Cruces
Chances: Very High
Why: Another game that will likely be criticized for being on Upset Watch. However, Mayfield is under preforming to their standards and the Bulldawgs are title contenders. Why are the chances "very high" then? A rivalry game with 20,000 people - almost like a state title for the town.

Pojoaque Valley vs #17 Robertson
Chances: Low
Why: Would anyone not wearing green on Friday think the Elks would win the game? No. However, when you have nothing to lose and the opportunity to upset the top team, you are never 100%.

Laguna-Acoma vs #20 Estancia
Chances: Low
Why: Two years ago this was the must see game. This year Estancia will have a 40-point line on the Hawks. Upset? Likely not. If it was to happen they have to contain, likely won't stop, Ezekiel Tapia.

Deming vs #21 Alamogordo
Chances: Very Low
Why: Deming hasn't won a game this season and looking to head into the post season without one. Alamogordo trying to argue for a Top-4 seed and bye for the playoffs. Remember Carlsbad last season? Nothing to lose and the chance to upset a team.

Miyamura vs #23 Aztec
Chances: Moderate
Why: This could be the pick by most folks and should be in the high rather than the moderate but both have sort of trended in the opposite direction. Miyamura however is still a talented ball club with x-factor chavez.

Socorro vs Cobre
Chances: Low to Moderate
Why: Socorro if you remember was a 5-0 team before the start of district play. Cobre is off a huge win, but they hope to not peak ahead in this contest. I don't think I would take the pick but if I had a few dollars left over I wouldn't be totally opposed to throwing at it.

Ruidoso vs Moriarty
Chances: Moderate to High
Why: In all honesty I picked against Moriarty back-to-back weeks. I was more impressed this past week against Portales. I need to give more credit and I wouldn't take this pick, if I didn't like the Ruidoso coaching staff.

Two Others to Consider
La Cueva vs Clovis
West Las Vegas vs St. Michael's

District Preview: Farmington Remain The Favorite

Today, we take a quick look at District 1-5A. The basketball season officially started on October 31st, 2016 and we continue to look at each team/program.

Overview

The northwest district could be one of the strongest districts in terms of atmosphere, dark horse teams and fan bases in the classification. Will it translate to a deeper showing in the state tournament? That is yet to be seen but you have to like Final Four contenders in Farmington who were upset in the opening round as a 5-seed but return one of the players who seem ready for the next level. Gallup welcomes head coach James Voight who is one of the top rising coaches and have been praised for the splash of a hire.

Predicted Finish

1. Farmington Scorpions (Last Season: 23-5, 8-0)
Why: The Scorpions went 8-0 in district play last season and could be an arms length ahead of the rest. However, you have to like other programs this season we settle on the Scorpions feature 6-foot-7 power forward David Riley, who has the old school brute force to dominate near the rim. Two others to keep an eye on is Sol Rascon, also in the front court, along with Nick Granger in the backcourt.

2. Gallup Bengals (22-8, 6-2)
Why: If you watch the northwest district in 5A basketball you might be quick to respond and debate why we are wrong with our prediction of the Gallup Bengals being runner up in 1-5A. Here is why we believe in the Bengals. For one, the hire of James Voight was A+. He is a proven winner any place he goes (title at Dexter High School in 2013 and 20 plus wins in one season at Hondo Valley). Second, can you ever count out a program like Gallup? They take a hit to graduation but a couple names that could thrive in a backcourt heavy philosophy of Voights' in Nate John or Cyrus John.

3. Kirtland Central Broncos (12-16, 8-2) *4A
Why: It is hard to predict how the Broncos will do moving into 5A basketball. Last season they went 1-2 against 1-5A opponents. So why do we like the Broncos so much? Leading scorer Bryson Dowdy returns for his junior season, Dowdy was a Top 100 player last season in our player rankings. Another player on the rise could be junior Jariah Setzer who will see his minutes improve along with his numbers.

4. Bloomfield Bobcats (20-8, 10-0) *4A
Why: The Bobcats won District 1-4A last season going 10-0 and also playing in the 4A Elite Eight. However, the move to 5A will be a tough transition, especially with a new head coach. Former coach Devon Manning has since been hired by Piedra Vista, this could be a reason for the step back this season along with the graduation to key players. However, the big mystery in this team is they return three players that could really create a trio of wealth in Brendan Charley, Ty Padilla, and Adriano Stevenson.

5. Miyamura Patriots (10-17, 3-5)
Why: The Patriots could be the team that "should" be predicted a tad higher at the 2/3 slot. They graduated four players from last season but return a player we really like in Jason Upshaw who could be considered among the best in the district. Could this be the year the Patriots go dancing for the first time in program history?

6. Aztec Tigers (1-24, 0-8)
Why: The Aztec Tigers will have a new head coach this season (even though he is still coaching the football team). The Tigers are currently riding a 17-game losing streak and could be in for more building. Adding fuel to this fire is the graduation of top three scorers and will rely on a young roster.

Questions That Will Shape This District

1. How Will Farmington Respond Replacing Their Backcourt? The Farmington Scorpions return a solid foundation in the frontcourt as mentioned above. However, they lose some of the guard play that they relied on last season. This could be detrimental to the team on their quest to repeat as teams like Gallup will place pressure on them, Bernalillo found holes in the first round of the playoffs against a veteran Scorpions team last season.

2. First Year Coach That Will Thrive? I mentioned this above in our quick hit view of the Bengals but the hiring of James Voight is major. The reason we like it so much is the philosophy similarities between Voight and Gallup. The Bengals press - Voight's previous programs press with the best of them. Next, he inherits a program that has been successful and will be successful.

3. How many teams will get a State Tournament bid? Right now I could predict 3/4 teams earning a bid. That might seem high for this district and plenty will come down to non-district play but you have to like the make up of some rosters. Miyamura could turn a quality corner, Kirtland Central will be sound and Farmington-Gallup are nearly automatics each season.

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

1. David Riley - Farmington
2. Brendon Charley - Bloomfield
2. Bryson Dowdy - Kirtland Central
3. Cyrus John - Gallup
4. Jason Upshaw - Miyamura
5. Nick Granger - Farmington
6. Nate John - Gallup
7. Sol Rascon - Farmington
8. Jacob Fiel - Aztec
9. Adriano Stevenson - Bloomfield
10. Ty Padilla - Bloomfield

5 Things To Get You Ready For Basketball

We Could Have Two-Time Mr. Basketball For The First Time

Clay Patterson, the shooting guard who led the Rams to the 2016 State Championship also took home the 2016 NMPreps.com Mr. Basketball award. He could be the first player to back-to-back.

Artesia Could Have A Special Year

Two huge players have since moved to Artesia and could play for one of the favorites heading into the season. One if D-1 prospect Bryce McAlister. The last title came in 1997 under head coach Bubba Jennings.

Class 5A Basketball Is Super DEEP

We released our Top-10 but we could go deeper into Top-12/13 or 14 of teams that have a legitimate shot and running the table. Right now 5A is more of a Who Is in the Top-10?

Texico, Pecos and Santa Rosa Up For Grabs

3A basketball has three teams (to start) that have some talent and could create one of the best Final Fours to watch. Add in Tulie and Laguna and a handful of youth in the classification.

Next level talent in 6A, the Valley and the City of Vision along with a Hobbs Taylor.

Marlon Cunningham the 6-foot-7 forward has committed to the University of New Mexico Lobos, he is from the class of 2018. Ranked high last season but one, if not the best posts in New Mexico, Brenden Boatwright a 6-foot-9 post with nice shooting touch. DJ Bustos, a smooth as it comes guard plays for 4A West Las Vegas and has plenty of interest. Albuquerque High and Valley bring two teams and could play for the Final Four - imagine that game in the PIT. Rio Rancho and Cleveland have TALENT one or both will be playing late into the final two days. Hobbs has a transfer by the name of Taylor, the last time resulted in a State title - 18 on the brink?

Who Gets It?