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Week 9: Staff Picks

Each week the staff at NMPreps.com shares their picks for the week of games. Today, we share our week 9 picks of the football season.

Centennial 7-1 vs. Las Cruces 6-1 +2,000 Either Way
Grine's Pick: Centennial
Last week I wrote "I wanted to go Centennial, I like Centennial" Well, I didn't pick them. Maybe, the Hawks faithful is glad that I didn't. Well, I'm sorry (?) I'm going Centennial this week.

St. Pius X 7-1 vs. Los Lunas 5-2 +2,000 Either Way
Grine's Pick: St. Pius X
Question marks on and off the field for Los Lunas St. Pius X is flying and if I had to pick the dark horse to win it all, the Sartans are my pick to run the table.

Eldorado 4-3 vs. Manzano 5-2 +100 (Upset is Eldorado +1,500)
Grine's Pick: Eldorado
I had to take an upset pick and the point differential was too hard to pass up. The gamble is worth the pick, even if I like Manzano a lot. I'm playing the points more than who I think wins. The playoffs for pick 'em starts in two weeks!

Hobbs 2-5 vs. Onate 4-3 +1,000 (Upset is Hobbs +2,500)
Grine's Pick: Onate
I almost took the bait on this pick with a 1,500 point difference. I go Onate though because they are took good on both sides of the ball now. My PTP this week is Sal Yanez to break free to the zone a few times.

Robertson 7-0 vs. St. Mike’s 5-2 +700 (Upset is St. Mike's +2,000)
Grine's Pick: Robertson
The Cardinals are solid on defense and I don't see St. Mike's getting many holes on this defense.

Hatch 6-1 vs. Silver 3-5 +500 (Upset is Silver +2,000)
Grine's Pick: Hatch Valley
Not much to explain here. Money in the bank - 500!

Piedra Vista 5-2 vs. Cleveland 7-1 +500 (Upset is PV +4,000)
Grine's Pick: Cleveland
Another 500 pick even though the points would be worth it, I just can't leave 500 on the table on a sure thing.

Portales 6-1 vs. Ruidoso 5-3 +500 (Upset is Ruidoso +1,000)
Grine's Pick: Portales
The Rams even on the road. Why? Just because...

Roswell 6-1 vs. Artesia 6-1 +500 (Upset is Roswell +2,000)
Grine's Pick: Artesia
Roswell is playing well... Artesia is Artesia.

Volcano Vista 5-2 vs. Cibola 3-5 +500 (Upset is Cibola +1,500)
Grine's Pick: Volcano Vista
Volcano Vista rebounds well with this game. Maybe, outside the one pick I am playing conservative today. I need to make sure I'm in the Top-32 to make the playoffs.

GRINE'S RECORD
Last Week: 8-3
Overall Record: 62-29

Player of the Year In Each Class?

Who are your nominations or predictions for player of the year in each class?

Poll: Most Intriguing Score From Week 9

OK!! Its wait and see time! After watching it all go down here is what I would like to see the seeds be...not necessarily what I think the S&S will do. I know my boy up in Los Lunas has a different take but thats OK.

1. Roswell/Academy
2. Academy/Roswell (interchangeable)
3. Chaparral
4. Capital
5. Los Alamos
6. Santa Teresa
7. Alamo
8. SPX
9. Los Lunas (reason - if ST and Chapa had to play the 8v9 game last year...then these fools should to, especially if their district came down to goal differential...lets have the rubber match!)
10. Farmington
11. Valencia
12. Goddard

Yessssssss!

Most impressive guys so far...
Pacheco -Hobbs - 85-86 with cut
Parker - up to 91. Sat 88
Apodaca - Santa Fe - big boy is crushing balls. And age wise should be a Soph.
Arrington - up to 84 in the academic game.
Lackner - Soph at St X swinging it
Hagstrom - Farmington. 83-84. Showed a really good change up. And looks pissed off when he pitches.

Ya'll dig?

NMSB is looking for a few individual players to attend our Second annual Best of The West Las Cruces event October 21-23rd.. Last year we had 9 seniors offered on the spot with only 7 colleges..This year we have 15 college coaches and 4 pro scouts attending. Big time event limited space.. email jamesnmsb@gmail.com for more details..
We are looking for players 10-12th grade. If a kid can play a little he will get interest from schools at this event.. uncommitted seniors with no offers this is a perfect event for..

According to the Texas Rangers Chase Silseth (16 year old junior) from PV was 84-86, topped 87 and gave up no runs this morning vs. Team Mountain West.

Any other reports on NM kids?

Thursday
La Cueva 22, Sandia 0 - F
Atrisco 48, Highland 12 - F
Valley 54, Rio Grande 0 - F

Friday, October 21st
Animas 6-0 vs. Ft. Hancock 2-2
Aztec 4-3 vs. Farmington 2-4-1
Bloomfield 3-4 vs. Gallup 2-5
Capital 2-5 vs. Española 1-6
Chaparral 2-5 vs. Alamogordo 3-4
Cobre 3-4 vs. Hot Springs 4-4
Cuba 1-6 vs. Laguna 4-3
Dora 3-4 vs. Logan 3-4
Dulce 3-4 vs. Estancia 6-1
Eldorado 4-3 vs. Manzano 5-2
Gateway 7-0 vs. Carrizo 5-1
Goddard 4-3 vs. Lovington 1-6
Hatch 6-1 vs. Silver 3-5
Hobbs 2-5 vs. Onate 4-3
Hope 3-5 vs. Moriarty 7-0
Lake Arthur 4-2 vs. Vaughn 4-2
Lordsburg 4-2 vs. Hagerman 2-4
Magdalena 7-1 vs. Foothill 4-3
Mayfield 4-4 vs. Gadsden 2-6
Menial 2-4 vs. Alamo Navajo 1-5
Miyamura 6-1 vs. Kirtland 6-1
MVCS 4-2 vs. Mescalero 3-5
Navajo Prep 2-5 vs. Thoreau 1-7
Piedra Vista 5-2 vs. Cleveland 7-1
Portales 6-1 vs. Ruidoso 5-3
Roswell 6-1 vs. Artesia 6-1
San Jon 5-0 vs. Floyd 2-3
Santa Fe 0-7 vs. Clovis 4-3
SFIS 2-6 vs. Bernalillo
Springer 2-4 vs. Mountaineer 6-2
St. Pius X 7-1 vs. Los Lunas 5-2
Tatum 0-8 vs. Cloudcroft 4-3
Texico 1-5 vs. Raton 5-3
Thatch 1-6 vs. Zuni 5-3
Tucumcari 1-6 vs. Santa Rosa 2-6
Tularosa 1-7 vs. Dexter 7-1
Valencia 1-6-1 vs. Grants 4-3
Volcano Vista 5-2 vs. Cibola 3-5
West LV 6-1 vs. Taos 3-4
West Mesa 4-4 vs. Albuquerque 3-4
Wingate 3-4 vs. Shiprock 4-3
Capitan vs. Loving 1-6

Saturday, October 22nd
Del Norte 3-3-1 vs. Academy 2-6
Centennial 7-1 vs. Las Cruces 6-1
Robertson 7-0 vs. St. Mike’s 5-2

Please vote. I for life of me cant understand why the NMAA would use these jokers

Week 9 Friday Night Recap

No. 2 Cleveland 45, Piedra Vista 0
The No. 2 ranked Cleveland Storm routed Piedra Vista Friday Night to move to 8-1 on the season. The Storm have just one game remaining which is against Volcano Vista on November 4th. With a victory over the Hawks, the Storm should check in at either No. 2 or No. 3 in the prep football playoffs. The Storm are an outstanding 21-1 in their last 22 games.

No. 4 Artesia 42, No. 13 Roswell 34
Chase Thompson came up with an interception for the Bulldogs to put a close to a shootout in the Bulldog Bowl Friday Night. The Bulldogs now 7-1 on the season traded touchdowns all night with the now 6-2 Coyotes, 6 different Bulldogs found the end zone on the evening. Ryan Gallegos scored from 2-yards out, Isaiah Weidman scored on a 7-yard touchdown, Robert Fernandez scored from 2-yards out, Dom Madrid caught a 30-yard touchdown, Taylor Null scored from 1-yard out, and Kameron Aguilar scored off a 39-yard touchdown pass from Null late in the game. Roswell was led by Gabriel Najar who scored 3 touchdowns on the evening. Artesia will take on Goddard next weekend at the Wool Bowl, Roswell will take on Lovington.

No. 6 Onate 43, Hobbs 36
At the Field of Dreams in Las Cruces, New Mexico it was a shootout from the get-go. Onate jumped to a 7-0 lead after a 31-yard touchdown from Josiah Fielder, Hobbs answered with a touchdown by Gavin Hardison to Evan Gray to make it 7-7. Hardison would throw two pick sixes for touchdowns in the 2nd quarter, but would also come up big later in the game throwing touchdowns for 17-yards and for 66-yards. A late Onate touchdown by Forest McKee made it 43-28, Hobbs would tack on one more touchdown to make it 43-36, but they onside kick would fail. The Knights are now 6-2 on the season and will take on Las Cruces next weekend, then Centennial, two prime time match ups. Hobbs is now 2-6 on the year and will finish out with Mayfield and Carlsbad.

No. 7 Manzano 32, No. 11 Eldorado 10
The Manzano Monarchs flexed their muscle again Friday Night against Eldorado in a 22 point victory to propel the Monarchs to 6-2 on the season. The game opened up with an 87-yard touchdown run by Manzano’s Jordan Byrd, then a Manzano quarterback sack in the end-zone made it 9-0. The Monarchs went up 12-0 off a 26-yard field goal by Joshua Soliz. On the night Byrd would ripped off another 80-yard touchdown and finish with over 250-yards of rushing on the night. The Monarchs will take on Santa Fe next weekend, followed by Sandia. They are currently 3-0 in district play. If they were to win out at 8-2, they’ll be a top four seed for the first time under Head Coach Chad Adcox.

No. 8 Volcano Vista 19, No. 24 Cibola
The Volcano Vista Hawks moved to 6-2 on the season shutting out their West Side Rival Cibola Friday Night. The score was 0-0 after the first quarter, then 2-0 after Cibola was called for holding in the shadow of their own end-zone. The Hawks scored off a 34-yard touchdown by quarterback Dillon Gassoway and a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Chris Streetz, along with a 32-yard field goal by Colin Fouser.

No. 14 St. Pius X 44, No. 16 Los Lunas 7
The St. Pius X Sartans made a big statement Friday Night against Los Lunas in a 37 point victory. The Sartans now 8-1 on the season jumped up 7-0 after 35-yard touchdown run by Quarterback Drew Ortiz who would finish with 5 touchdowns on the evening. Michigan Commit O’maury Samuels did not play for the second game in a row due to an undisclosed injury. St. Pius X will finish the regular season next weekend against Belen. Los Lunas is now 5-3 riding a 3-game losing streak and will take on Grants and Valencia in their final two regular season games.


St. Pius X Quarterback Drew Ortiz accounted for 5 touchdowns Friday Night against Los Lunas

Week 9 Final Scores
Alamogordo 48, Chaparral 24 - F
Albuquerque 40, West Mesa 27 - F
Artesia 42, Roswell 34 - F
Aztec 31, Farmington 28 - F
Bloomfield 53, Gallup 0 - F
Capital 20, Española 14 - F
Capitan 35, Loving 0 - F
Clovis 55, Santa Fe 0 - F
Cleveland 45, Piedra Vista 0 - F
Dexter 55, Tularosa 12 - F
Estancia 57, Dulce 7 - F
Gateway 60, Carrizozo 7 - F
Grants 32, Valencia 14 - F
Goddard 54, Lovington 0- F
Hatch 44, Silver 7 - F
Laguna 38, Cuba 0
Manzano 32, Eldorado 10 - F
Mayfield 55, Gadsden 0 - F
Miyamura 50, Kirtland 14 - F
Moriarty 41, Hope 20 - F
Onate 43, Hobbs 35 - F
Portales 58, Ruidoso 23 - F
Santa Rosa 28, Tucumcari 15
Santa Teresa 28, Deming 7
San Jon 56, Floyd 6 - F
Shiprock 50, Wingate 0 - F
St. Pius X 44, Los Lunas 7 - F
Taos 30, West LV 27
Texico 20, Raton 18
Vaughn 57, Lake Arthur 53 - F
Volcano Vista 19, Cibola 0 - F

A few thoughts about the boys' side heading into the final games of the season:

6A: La Cueva and Volcano Vista seem certain to get top-4 seeds, and Albuquerque High will get one also if it beats or ties with Atrisco Heritage Friday and wins its district outright. If AHS loses to Atrisco Heritage and has to be seeded behind either Valley or Atrisco in the seedings, the Bulldogs could slip as far as No. 6 or lower. It will be interesting to see if Hobbs gets a bye if they win out – right now they are 15-2 but only No. 6 in MaxPreps. Sandia and Cleveland are both ranked higher than Hobbs and might grab a top-4 seed if AHS or Hobbs lose this week (although for Cleveland to get one, they would probably have to beat Volcano Vista on Saturday). Hobbs still has to travel to Mayfield and Carlsbad. Valley and Gadsden are safely in the state tournament at this point; Eldorado should be too, unless Clovis somehow beats La Cueva and Sandia this week and passes Eldorado in the district standings. I think Rio Rancho and Cibola will also get in, with Centennial, Clovis and Las Cruces missing out.

5A: Academy and Roswell should get the top two seeds. I think Academy has the edge to get the No. 1, although a loss to St. Pius Saturday would change that. A lot of uncertainty after the top two. Seeds 3-7 will be some combination of Capital, Los Alamos, Chaparral, Santa Teresa and St. Pius. Chaparral should get the No. 3 or No. 4 if they win out, but there are a few big games left in this district. Santa Teresa has a chance at a top 4 seed if they win the district. The wild cards are Capital (No. 3 in MaxPreps) and Los Alamos (No. 6). The Hilltoppers’ win over Academy means they will overtake Capital for second place in that district if they beat the Jaguars in Santa Fe on Thursday. I think that the Capital-Los Alamos winner gets the final top-4 seed over St. Pius, especially considering Capital’s road win over the Sartans Monday. (But what if St. Pius beats Academy Saturday, or even Hope Christian Thursday?). Farmington will get in as a district champ; Alamo, Valencia, and Los Lunas will also get in; and the No. 12 should be Goddard or Belen (I think it will be Goddard, unless they lose to Lovington this week).

Centennial 7-1 vs. Las Cruces 6-1 +2,000 Either Way
St. Pius X 7-1 vs. Los Lunas 5-2 +2,000 Either Way
Eldorado 4-3 vs. Manzano 5-2 +100 (Upset is Eldorado +1,500)
Hobbs 2-5 vs. Onate 4-3 +1,000 (Upset is Hobbs +2,500)
Robertson 7-0 vs. St. Mike’s 5-2 +700 (Upset is St. Mike's +2,000)
Hatch 6-1 vs. Silver 3-5 +500 (Upset is Silver +2,000)
Piedra Vista 5-2 vs. Cleveland 7-1 +500 (Upset is PV +4,000)
Portales 6-1 vs. Ruidoso 5-3 +500 (Upset is Ruidoso +1,000)
Roswell 6-1 vs. Artesia 6-1 +500 (Upset is Roswell +2,000)
Volcano Vista 5-2 vs. Cibola 3-5 +500 (Upset is Cibola +1,500)

Go!

Week 9 Roll Call

Week 9: Top 25 Preview

Today, we take a look at the games taking place around the state. Week 9 features several must see games as the playoffs are a week closer and several teams have work still left to do.

No. 2 Cleveland (7-1) vs Piedra Vista (5-2), Friday: The Cleveland Storm will be the top ranked team playing on Friday night with crosstown rival Rio Rancho off for the weekend. Piedra Vista enters the game on a 2-game losing streak after taking the week off during week eight. The must see match up in this contest will be a battle between quarterback standouts Angelo Trujillo of Cleveland High School and Elijah Gamboa of Piedra Vista. The difference will be Piedra Vista's ability to stop the Cleveland offense who has been averaging 39 points per game this season. As of week nine the Panthers have faced one team ranked in the Top-10 - Manzano - and they allowed the Monarchs to score 41 points in a 41-7 loss.

Prediction: Cleveland 49, Piedra Vista 10


No. 3 Las Cruces (6-1) vs No. 5 Centennial (7-1), Saturday, 7pm: With the District 3-6A title on the line the winner will take a big step forward in claiming the championship and automatic bid to the 2016 state playoffs. The winner also could seal the deal for a bye into the quarterfinals. This game features plenty of must know names including a match up between two receivers that will be in the conversation for the NMPreps.com Wide Receiver of the Year award in Jr. Pena of Centennial and Brandon Baeza of Las Cruces. However, the difference around this game could be quarterback Dante Lopez of Centennial and if he will be ready to go at 100% after suffering an injury last week.

Prediction: Centennial 38, Las Cruces 35

No. 4 Artesia (6-1) vs No. 13 Roswell (6-1). Friday, 7pm: Not very often we see back to back nights with the game of the night. Friday features the District 4-5A match up between the top two teams from 5A football this season. Artesia features a junior quarterback in Taylor Null who will be on the short list of NMPreps.com Mr. Football candidates, having the Bulldogs ranked 4th in New Mexico and accounting for 22-passing touchdowns with 678-yards. Roswell features the newcomer quarterback Bear Kyser who will look to place his name in the spotlight with a chance to take the Coyotes to new heights. The difference will be Null avoiding pass rusher Cade Manzanares of Roswell and Gabriel Najar of Roswell making way through a stout Bulldog defense.

Prediction: Artesia 33, Roswell 28

No. 6 Onate (5-2) vs No. 25 Hobbs (2-5), Friday, 7pm: The Knights coming off an emotional rollercoaster week, first forfeiting four of their five wins only to get them back after an appeal passed on Monday. Hobbs enters the game after seeing improvement over the past few weeks but unable to get that signature victory. Onate, one of the better defensive units will cause issues for the Eagles but it could be the Eagles passing attack that could create some headaches for the Knights. The question will be if the Eagles can do it for four quarters? Onate offense has been on the tune of a chart topper lately with the 1-2 punch of Aaron Sanchez at QB and Sal Yanez at running back, two unknown names going into the season but both could be in the conversation for post season awards.

Prediction: Onate 38, Hobbs 27

No. 7 Manzano (5-2) vs No. 11 Eldorado (4-3), Friday, 7pm: This weekend features one of the most important weekends of the season so far with District Championships on the line. Manzano, right now is the leader at 3-0 in District play and looking to make a run for a first round bye. Eldorado, the preseason favorite could start to play itself back into the running with a win here. Dakota Powell, has played well as the replacement quarterback but if they also lost University of New Mexico commit Jordan Byrd to injury this week this could be too much to handle. Look for Monarch names, little mentioned, to jump out this week with receiver Andrew Erickson, 533-all purpose yards and 5-touchdowns to make a leap into the conversation for some post season awards. He's the X-factor this week.

Prediction: Manzano 21, Eldorado 20

No. 8 Volcano Vista (5-2) vs No. 24 Cibola (3-5), Friday, 7pm: One game to keep a close eye on this Friday night will be between the Hawks of Volcano Vista and the Cibola Cougars. Cibola is playing for a playoff spot - still somewhat alive - and Volcano Vista trying to get the ship back on sail after a small detour last week. Volcano Vista will need Dillon Gassoway to return to form after struggle some last week, he is just too talented of a young man not to have a solid rebound and that could cause issues for the Cibola Cougars. One difference will be the Cibola offensive line allowing the quarterback time to make plays.

Prediction: Volcano Vista 38, Cibola 14

No. 9 Mayfield (3-4) at Gadsden (1-7), Friday, 7pm: Not very often that you will write a line, with Mayfield in the sentence between a battle of teams under .500 this late into the season. Still this one shouldn't be much of an issue for the Trojans as they look to even their record at (4-4) this week. Quarterback Torry Locklin, was regarded as one of the best QB's coming into the season. That has since faded but reason to watch is he is only junior and this one could be a game that puts him back into the conversation. Gadsden, riding a 7-game losing streak continues to develop some of their young roster.

Prediction: Mayfield 50, Gadsden 0

No. 10 Clovis (4-3) vs Santa Fe (0-7), Friday, 7pm: Well, the top few games previewed today had plenty of meaning. This one just lie the Mayfield-Gadsden contest is one about two programs on different ends of the spectrum. Clovis needs this game to get healthy and focus on the younger Wildcats. One to watch, who had a big run last week is Seth Lopez the running back could really let lose this week with more carries.

Prediction: Clovis 50, Santa Fe 0

No. 12 La Cueva (4-3) vs Sandia (3-4), Thursday, 7pm: The La Cueva Bears surpassed their win total of 3 in 2015. However, it doesn't appear they want to stop now. Look for a battle between quarterbacks Chris Campbell (La Cueva) and Jacob Archibeque (Sandia). Right now they are both 1, 2 for the NMPreps.com District 2-6A Quarterback of the Year. The difference maker in this one however is Josh Woisin who was projected to be a big piece for the Bears and has come on strong of late.

Prediction: La Cueva 42, Sandia 14

No. 14 St. Pius X (7-1) at No. 16 Los Lunas (5-2), Friday, 7pm: Both teams are trending, however in different directions lately. St. Pius on the trend up behind the play from stud quarterback Drew Ortiz who has been phenomenal this season. Two quarterbacks will be on the NMPreps.com Mr. Football list and in the running for the NMPreps.com 5A Quarterback of the Year conversation and Ortiz is one of them. Los Lunas is trending in the opposite direction recently with injuries plaguing the roster. Michigan commit O'maury Samuels is out and still uncertain about starting quarterback Nick Gaerlan. Trevor Brohard is the one to keep an eye on this week as he is a two way player making the surprise short list last week for Mr. Football.

Prediction: St. Pius X 38, Los Lunas 18

Rapid Fire: 16-25
No. 17 Goddard takes on Lovington in what will be a game over before most on Friday evening.

No. 18 Moriarty looks to prove them critics wrong as they host Hope Christian in a District game.

No. 19 Robertson will play in the best small school contest against Fab 50 ranked St. Michael's.

No. 21 Hatch Valley the third ranked team in 4A, yes third still for the time being, take on Silver (3-5) who will try to spoil the dance.

No. 22 Estancia is the defending champ that you just see continuing to harvest before hibernating with another ring this winter. They take on Dulce.

No. 23 Alamogordo opens district play with one of the best underclassmen teams that is only building for a run in the future - Chaparral.

Outside the Top-25 Must See
No. 28 Farmington squares off with No. 35 Aztec. Look for quarterback Cody Smith (Aztec) to get the love he deserves if they pull this win off.

No. 29 Miyamura will look to prove the prediction wrong as this was our upset watch game outside the Top-25, they take on 44th ranked Kirtland Central this week.

No. 30 West Mesa is now the front runner in 4-6A, they can't afford a loss to No. 40 Albuquerque High.

No.32 Portales takes on District rival No. 41 Ruidoso this week. Winner could be in the best position for a DC.

Prime Time Players
QB to Watch: Cody Smith (Aztec)

RB to Watch: Josh Woisin (La Cueva)

Rebounding: Dillon Gassoway (Volcano Vista)

Could Be Player of the Week: Sal Yanez (Onate)

Defender: Miguel Martinez (Artesia)

What player is the X-Factor

Who is your upset pick

Coaching match up to watch

Under the radar game

Should have hype game

Close call game

Rivalry game

I'm curious to know where does NMAA park it's profits or how do they allocate their $?

I find this extremely interesting!!!

Texas players each worth over $670,000 per year

http://www.thescore.com/news/1132034

As we head into another weekend of HS, College and NFL football I find myself very excited! I love the game of football probably more than what some people may call normal. It paid for my education in college, it lead me to the life and family I have now. Lots of water has flowed under that bridge from the early and mid 90's but from time to time I find myself reminiscing about the old days and good times. I put this out there because I feel like I was coached and worked with some the best around. I look back on how Jim Hess and Tony Samuel and their coaching staffs treated and respected players, parents and opponents. To continue many people wonder why I like or dislike different teams from time to time. Most recently Notre Dame! Well when I was a student assistant at NMSU we traveled to South Carolina to play the Gamecocks a team, that at the time, was an upper level tier 1 team coached by non other than Lou Holtz. He was cordial, polite and was more than willing to share just a smidgen of his football knowledge with a young buck like myself. As usual SC sent us home with a large paycheck and a L in the loss column. Much to my surprise roughly a week later I received a letter from Coach Holtz. I'm sure every guy on staff and player probably received a letter I'm not sure, but it meant a lot to me for him to take the time to at least sign his name to that letter and share some encouraging words. I deeply regret not keeping that letter, how dumb are we when we were younger? Part of this story is to say how appreciative I am of those who coached me with respect but to also answer some questions about ND as a whole.
I don't like When I see the man on their sideline now yelling, punching and berating his team, YOU recruited them! I can't help but think back to 1989 when ND was a national champion coached by non other than Lou Holtz who took a 5'5" walk on kicker named HO and beat Michigan. Coach Holtz told his team after winning the National Championship that this was not the greatest accomplishment in their life, that they had more to do. Now then, that is a leader of young men. So no I don't like ND because they forced a man like that out for a string of inferior individuals, one of which didn't beat NMSU this year so go Aggies!! Which brings me to this Brian Kelly may be one of the worst coaches on a sideline I have ever seen and I'm sure coach Holtz hangs his head in shame when he sees this mans actions. In closing, to all those still strapping on a helmet and lacing up some cleats, play every play as it was your last, because it might be, listen to every instruction you get, it might be the one that helps win the game and be the best leader, teammate and inspiration to others you can be because you never know who is Watching, listening or paying attention to you for which you might make a difference. Enjoy the game and play it the way it's supposed to be played and coach it the way some great men have coached it before.

http://nmhsca.com/PageBuilder.aspx?page=allstarresearchcommittee

Thoughts??

Who goes? Where? When? Top Spots? Best Stories?

Some district games are cross country this week. Six hours one way for a district game. YIKES

All trips are round trip.

9. Portales vs Ruidoso 326 miles
8. Piedra Vista vs Cleveland 336
7. Tatum vs Cloudcroft 356 Miles
6. Springer vs Mountainair 408 Miles
5. Sante Fe vs Clovis 416 Miles
4 Animas vs Ft Hancock TX 472 Miles
3. Texico vs Raton 488 Miles
2. Hobbs vs Onate 550 Miles
1. Lordsburg vs Hagerman 630 Miles for a district game.

Week 9: Questions Facing Top 25 Teams

With three weeks left in the 2016 football season we look at questions facing the Top-25 teams heading into week 9 of the New Mexico High School football season.

No. 5 Centennial Hawks Can The Centennial Hawks keep the magic alive? As we have mentioned the Centennial Hawks are 5-0, in their young history, over other teams from the Las Cruces area. That says a lot as this was thee place for New Mexico High School football. The Hawks have to face one of the best quarterbacks in the state of New Mexico in Payton Ball who sits behind one of the best offensive lines. Centennial's defense has to contain Ball but apply enough pressure. Also, if the Bulldawgs start slow, they can't allow them to crawl back into it.

No. 7 Manzano Monarchs How do the Monarchs handle the week as the best team in District 2-6A? The Monarchs, to this point in the season have overachieved according to their projection. They are 5-2 on the season with both losses being to No. 5 Centennial and No. 1 Rio Rancho. They have slowly climbed the rankings and into the Top-10 for the first time this season. The question could be the depth as they have experienced injuries to ATH Jordan Byrd (concussion) and QB Michael Roybal (collarbone). Dakota Powell has played well at quarterback, the former backup, will play in his biggest role this season as they have the District Championship on the line - pressure?

No. 13 Roswell Coyotes Will the 13th ranked Coyotes have an encore game and back up being ranked 2nd in 5A football? The Coyotes haven't faced a team ranked in the Top-10 this season. Against Top-25 teams they are 4-1. However, this Artesia team will be the best that they have faced and an encore could be difficult with the fact that Artesia is solid all around. When the Coyotes faced a good 5A defense in Los Lunas they were held to their lowest total on the season with 14-points (they average 38 points per game). If they are going to have success, they have to put points on the board. Bear Kyser has played well recently but he has to perfect on Friday and when you play at the Bulldogs bowl that could be tough. In fact the x-factor might be Gabriel Najar the little mentioned running back has 400-yards and will need to find ways to move the chains on Friday.

Questions Unanswered

How Does Onate respond from winning once already this week, with a game against an upset hungry Hobbs team?

Can No. 11 Eldorado win a big game?

Does Los Lunas have enough to battle St. Pius with injuries to Samuels and Gaerlan?

Will Moriarty be able to stop a better offense in Hope Christian after giving up 35 to NMMI?