4A: New Mexico High School Football First Round Preview & Predictions

The 2024 New Mexico high school football playoffs are kicking off, and with the first-round matchups set, we’re diving into the teams, players, and factors to watch as they vie for a spot in the next round. Below is a breakdown of each game scheduled for the weekend of November 8th and 9th, including predictions, key players, and Grine’s picks.

FIRST ROUND - NOVEMBER 8TH/9TH
#5 Portales vs #12 Chaparral, Friday, 7pm
#6 Espanola Valley vs #11 Manzano, Saturday, 1pm
#7 Grants vs #10 Silver, Saturday, 1pm
#8 Valencia vs #9 Moriarty, Saturday, 1pm

No. 5 Portales Rams (6-4) vs. No. 12 Chaparral Lobos (3-7)

Date: Friday, 7:00 PM
Location: Greyhound Stadium (Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM)

Preview: The Portales Rams, ranked fifth, enter the playoffs with hopes of making another deep run after last year's loss in the state championship. The Rams had high expectations at the start of the season, but they faced a setback when standout quarterback Paxton Culpepper (class of 2025) went down early with an injury. Senior Tommy Lopez has stepped up to fill the gap, throwing for 691 yards and 9 touchdowns. Not only a passing threat, Lopez also leads the team on the ground, rushing for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns. Freshman Slade Segovia has emerged as another offensive weapon with 378 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, hinting at a promising future for Portales. However, offensive consistency remains a question as the Rams aim for a deep playoff push.

On defense, Portales relies heavily on Lopez and Segovia, with both playing on both sides of the ball. Lopez leads with 75 total tackles, while Segovia has added 5 sacks and 56 total tackles. Another defensive force is junior Jaylon Newburn, who has racked up 69 tackles this season, and junior Rigoberto Holguin, another player to watch closely in this matchup. The Rams' defense, although young, plays with resilience and depth, making them a tough opponent for Chaparral.

Chaparral, seeded 12th, rarely makes playoff appearances, but this year, they’re entering with renewed confidence after key wins over district rivals Silver (20-14) and Albuquerque Academy (44-20). The Lobos have an exciting core of young talent, led by juniors Juan Urquiozo (class of 2026) and Israel Nieto (class of 2026), along with sophomore Raul Lopez (class of 2027). Quarterback Israel Nieto has been a dual-threat for Chaparral, amassing 1,362 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 403 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. His top target, sophomore Tyvin Howard, has racked up 598 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, providing a consistent deep threat.

Defensively, Chaparral leans on senior leaders Manny Rodriguez and Reese Martinez. Rodriguez has accumulated a staggering 136 tackles and 7 sacks, while Martinez has added 114 tackles and 5 sacks. Both are standout defenders and give Chaparral’s defense a chance to keep the game competitive.

NMPreps Prediction​

Score Prediction: Portales 40, Chaparral 14
Favorite: Portales, -21.5
Over/Under: 55 points
Grine's Pick: Portales

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New Mexico High School Football 2A State Preview

The 2024 New Mexico high school football playoffs are kicking off, and with the first-round matchups set, we’re diving into the teams, players, and factors to watch as they vie for a spot in the next round. Below is a breakdown of each game scheduled for the weekend of November 8th and 9th, including predictions, key players, and Grine’s picks.

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2A - First Round - Nov 8/9​

• #5 Eunice vs #12 Laguna-Acoma, Saturday, 1pm
  #6 Loving vs #11 Cuba, Monday, 1pm
  #7 Raton vs #10 Jal, Monday, 12pm
  #8 Navajo Prep vs #9 McCurdy, Saturday, 3pm

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Matchup Previews​

No. 5 Eunice Cardinals (7-3) vs No. 12 Laguna-Acoma Hawks (4-5)​

Preview: The Eunice Cardinals, a program known for dominance, come into this postseason from District 3-2A. With a 7-3 record, it’s unusual to see them outside the top three seeds, but they remain a formidable force. All-state quarterback Elijah Melancon (2026) leads the Cardinals, averaging over 250 passing yards per game, while running back Eljan Woods (2025) contributes over 100 rushing yards per game. For Laguna-Acoma, the Hawks made a late-season push to claim a spot in the playoffs, winning two of their last three games in District 1-2A. While they’ll look to carry that momentum, they face a major challenge in matching the depth and talent of Eunice.

Prediction: Eunice 50, Laguna-Acoma 0
Grine's Pick: Eunice
Favorite: Eunice, -50.5 (Over/Under 51.5)

No. 6 Loving Falcons (6-4) vs No. 11 Cuba Rams (4-6)​

Preview: The Loving Falcons come out of the highly competitive District 3-2A, finishing fourth in a district that produced three of the tournament’s top five seeds. Dual-threat QB Tristen Onsurez (2025) leads Loving, contributing around 100 rushing and 100 passing yards per game. On defense, Kalon Lujan and Braven Vasquez anchor the team with a combined 147 tackles this season. The Cuba Rams had a rough start to their season, going 0-5, but rallied to win four of their final five games. Running back Santiago Maestas (2025) and QB Richard Lovato (2026) will need to be at their best for Cuba to have a chance.

Prediction: Loving 56, Cuba 6
Grine's Pick: Loving
Favorite: Loving, -49.5 (Over/Under 58)

No. 7 Raton Tigers (5-5) vs No. 10 Jal Panthers (2-8)​

Preview: Raton, new to 2A this season after moving from 3A, saw a promising start but settled at 5-5 overall, representing District 2-2A as the third-place finisher. Their offensive spark comes from senior QB Cannon Walton, who has dual-threat capabilities with over 700 yards each in both passing and rushing, and 15+ touchdowns on the season. Jal enters as the fifth-place finisher from District 3-2A, traditionally known for postseason strength. However, the Panthers are undergoing a rebuilding season. Daniel Ornelas brings over 200 all-purpose yards per game, and linebacker David Gaytan will play a key role on defense.

Prediction: Raton 24, Jal 23
Grine's Pick: Raton
Favorite: Raton, -1.5 (Over/Under 48.5)

No. 8 Navajo Prep Eagles (7-2) vs No. 9 McCurdy Bobcats (7-3)​

Preview: These District 1-2A rivals meet again after Navajo Prep won their regular-season game 34-14. Both teams boast similar offensive outputs, averaging around 34 points per game. Navajo Prep’s standout is Xavier Nez, a versatile three-sport athlete who has averaged over 250 total yards per game. The Bobcats, however, have had time to regroup, and with a healthier roster, they aim to close the gap and take advantage of their familiarity with Navajo Prep’s game plan.

Prediction: Navajo Prep 30, McCurdy 24
Grine's Pick: McCurdy
Favorite: Navajo Prep, -3.5 (Over/Under 52.5)

Winter Storm Watch​

A winter storm watch has been issued for many parts of New Mexico.

Impacts from the storm will be wide-ranging depending on where you live.

Santa Fe​

The city of Santa Fe can expect to see some impacts from snow as early as Wednesday afternoon.

Snow totals

Travel impacts

Travel could become very difficult on many major roads in Santa Fe, including Interstate 25.

Hazardous travel conditions could also impact the evening rush hour on Wednesday.

Snow could limit visibility to near zero.

Northern New Mexico​

A winter storm watch has been issued for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Johnson and Bartlett Mesas. The watch includes the Raton Pass.

Snow totals

Heavy snow greater than 10 inches is possible in many areas of the mountains. Locations above 8,500 feet in elevation could see snow greater than 20 inches.

Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

Possible impacts

Travel could be very difficult to impossible in some areas under the watch. Heavy snow could cause some roads to be closed and create significant travel delays.

Timing

Impacts begin late Tuesday night and are expected to last through Thursday night.

East Central New Mexico​

A winter storm watch has been issued for the south central highlands, eastern Lincoln County, the south central mountains, Guadalupe County, and eastern San Miguel County through Thursday night.

Snow totals

Total accumulations of snow will range from 6 to 12 inches throughout the area.

Travel impacts

Travel on I-40 and other highways could be impacted by snowfall. Difficult driving conditions with blowing snow and reduced visibility are possible.

Timing

Impacts are expected to begin on Wednesday and last through Thursday night.

Sandia and Manzano Mountains and northeast New Mexico​

Areas of the Glorieta Mesa, Glorieta Pass, the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, Edgewood, Estancia Valley, Central Highlands, Far Northeast Highlands, Union County and Harding County are under a winter storm watch until Thursday Night.

Snow totals

Heavy snow between 8 and 16 inches is possible in the area.

Travel impacts

Travel could become difficult to impossible in some areas of the watch.

Blowing snow and heavy snow could create significant travel delays and impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

For the semifinals and finals?

6A FOOTBALL
#1 La Cueva Bears (10-0 overall)
#2 Centennial
#3 Cleveland
#4 Volcano Vista
#5 Las Cruces
#6 Los Lunas
#7 Rio Rancho
#8 Eldorado
#9 Hobbs
#10 Sandia
#11 Piedra Vista
#12 West Mesa

5A FOOTBALL
#1 Roswell (8-1 overall)
#2 Artesia
#3 Deming
#4 Gadsden
#5 Los Alamos
#6 Mayfield
#7 Lovington
#8 Miyamura
#9 Highland
#10 Goddard
#11 Belen
#12 Valley


4A FOOTBALL
#1 Bloomfield (9-0 overall)
#2 St. Pius X
#3 Taos
#4 Bernalillo
#5 Portales
#6 Espanola Valley
#7 Grants
#8 Valencia
#9 Moriarty
#10 Silver
#11 Manzano
#12 Chaparral

3A FOOTBALL
#1 St Michael's (10-0 overall)
#2 Dexter
#3 Robertson
#4 Socorro
#5 NMMI
#6 West Las Vegas
#7 Hatch Valley
#8 Hope Christian
#9 Thoreau
#10 Pojoaque Valley
#11 Ruidoso
#12 Hot Springs

2A FOOTBALL
#1 Texico (9-0 overall)
#2 Santa Rosa
#3 Legacy Academy
#4 Tularosa
#5 Eunice
#6 Loving
#7 Raton
#8 Navajo Prep
#9 McCurdy
#10 Jal
#11 Cuba
#12 Laguna-Acoma

Should a team be required to win at least 4 games in order to make the playoffs?

Sally is retiring after 12 years as executive director. Not sure what her last day is. Tough job. Curious as to who fills this role.

The New Mexico men’s basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with a 91-84 victory over Nicholls on Monday night.

Goddard Varsity Baseball is looking for a doubleheader for the upcoming 2025 Season. Looking for something February 28th/March 1st weekend or March 7th/8th weekend. We are willing to travel if need be.

Thanks!

Poll: Which No. 1 Seed Will Be the First to Fall?

What games?

Take a bracket (or all of them) and make your picks for each round. Show your picks for the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals, and state champion.

6A - First Round - Nov 8/9
#5 Las Cruces vs #12 West Mesa, Friday, 7pm
#6 Los Lunas vs #11 Piedra Vista, Friday, 6pm
#7 Rio Rancho vs #10 Sandia, Friday, 7pm
#8 Eldorado vs #9 Hobbs, Friday, 7pm

5A - First Round - Nov 8/9
#5 Los Alamos vs #12 Valley, Friday, 7pm
#6 Mayfield vs #11 Belen, Saturday, 1pm
#7 Lovington vs #10 Goddard, Saturday, 1pm
#8 Miyamura vs #9 Highland, Friday, 7pm

4A - First Round - Nov 8/9
#5 Portales vs #12 Chaparral, Friday, 7pm
#6 Espanola Valley vs #11 Manzano, Friday, 6pm
#7 Grants vs #10 Silver, Saturday, 1pm
#8 Valencia vs #9 Moriarty, Saturday, 1pm

3A - First Round - Nov 8/9
#5 NMMI vs #12 Hot Springs, Friday, 7pm
#6 West Las Vegas vs #11 Ruidoso, Saturday, 1pm
#7 Hatch Valley vs #10 Pojoaque Valley, Friday, 7pm
#8 Hope Christian vs #9 Thoreau, Friday, 7pm

2A - First Round - Nov 8/9
#5 Eunice vs #12 Laguna-Acoma, Saturday, 1pm
#6 Loving vs #11 Cuba, Saturday, 2pm
#7 Raton vs #10 Jal, Saturday, 1pm
#8 Navajo Prep vs #9 McCurdy, Saturday, 3pm

8-Man - Quarterfinals - Nov 8/9
#1 Melrose vs #9 Lordsburg, Saturday, 1pm
#2 Fort Sumner vs #10 Escalante, Friday, 6pm
#3 Mesilla Valley Christian vs #6 Tatum, Saturday, 1pm
#4 Gateway Christian vs #5 Clayton, Saturday, 1pm

6-Man - Semifinals - Nov 8/9
#1 Logan vs #4 Elida, Friday, 6pm
#2 Grady vs #3 Mountainair, Friday, 6pm

Horrible loss to start the season on a buzzer beater

What are they?

New Mexico High School Football State Playoffs: 2024 Bracket Breakdown

Selection Sunday has passed, and while many of us couldn't track down the official show, the 2024 New Mexico high school football playoff brackets are here. With the matchups set, let’s dive into NMPreps' bracket breakdown, where we highlight the games to watch, potential Cinderella stories, and some first-round predictions.

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The Best Games​

• 6A No. 8 Eldorado vs. No. 9 Hobbs
  Albuquerque’s Eldorado, riding a four-game winning streak, will host a talented Hobbs team with a dynamic offense and strong defensive potential. If Hobbs hits their stride, this could be a thrilling matchup, but Eldorado's tight defense will look to keep the game low-scoring and pull off the win on home turf.
• 5A No. 5 Los Alamos vs. No. 12 Valley
  The previous face-off between these two saw Los Alamos come out on top in a 99-point shootout, 63-33. Expect another high-scoring battle that could test defensive endurance—so bring plenty of pencils (JB) if you’re covering this one!
• 5A No. 8 Miyamura vs. No. 9 Highland
  Miyamura narrowly defeated Highland 36-31 in their first meeting this season, and this rematch promises to be another nail-biter. Highland will be out for redemption, but Miyamura, one of the season’s most improved teams, looks ready to defend their home turf.
• 4A No. 7 Grants vs. No. 10 Silver
  Silver comes into this game with momentum after winning their last two, while Grants will aim to rebound from back-to-back losses. This is a game that screams “upset alert,” as both teams are evenly matched and hungry to advance.
• 2A No. 7 Raton vs. No. 10 Jal
  This matchup pits the northern tip of New Mexico against the southern tip, with Jal making a 400-mile journey to Raton. Both teams are tough competitors, but Jal will need to bring their best game to pull off the road upset.

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5-12 Seeds with Championship Potential​

Several mid-to-lower seeds have the ingredients to make a Cinderella run:

• 2A No. 5 Eunice
  Despite a couple of losses, Eunice nearly defeated top-seeded Texico and could face them again in the semis if they can navigate past Laguna-Acoma and fourth-seeded Tularosa.
• 3A No. 5 NMMI and No. 6 West Las Vegas
  Both teams have paths that involve tough matchups, with West Las Vegas potentially facing rivals like No. 3 Robertson and No. 2 Dexter. If they can pull off some upsets, they might reach the finals.
• 5A No. 6 Mayfield and No. 7 Lovington
  These teams have been solid down the stretch, with Mayfield in particular showcasing consistency as of late. Lovington, if they could return to early season form could be a threat.
• 6A No. 5 Las Cruces
  With a talented roster, Las Cruces has shown they can compete with anyone. They’ll need to put it all together to make a deep run.

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Toughest Path for a No. 1 Seed​

• 2A – Texico
  Texico faces the challenge of a potential semifinal against Eunice or Tularosa, teams capable of making deep playoff runs themselves.
• 4A – Bloomfield
  Bloomfield could encounter No. 5 Portales in the semifinals—a team that ended Bloomfield’s undefeated run last year in the same round. Before that, Portales would need to overcome No. 4 Bernalillo and No. 12 Chaparral, which won’t be easy.

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Most Likely to Upset in the First Round​

• 4A – No. 10 Silver over No. 7 Grants
  Silver's recent form has been impressive, while Grants has struggled in recent games. This could be the round’s big upset if Silver keeps their momentum going.
• 6A – No. 11 Piedra Vista over No. 6 Los Lunas, and No. 9 Hobbs over No. 8 Eldorado
  Piedra Vista and Hobbs both have the potential to surprise their higher-seeded opponents. Hobbs, in particular, has a fighting chance to edge out Eldorado if their offense clicks.

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First-Round Predictions​

Here are NMPreps’ predictions and my picks for the first round:

6A First Round (Nov 8/9)​

• No. 5 Las Cruces vs. No. 12 West Mesa
  • Prediction: Las Cruces 44, West Mesa 12
  • Grine’s Pick: Las Cruces
• No. 6 Los Lunas vs. No. 11 Piedra Vista
  • Prediction: Los Lunas 24, Piedra Vista 22
  • Grine’s Pick: Piedra Vista (Upset)
• No. 7 Rio Rancho vs. No. 10 Sandia
  • Prediction: Rio Rancho 33, Sandia 23
  • Grine’s Pick: Rio Rancho
• No. 8 Eldorado vs. No. 9 Hobbs
  • Prediction: Eldorado 25, Hobbs 21
  • Grine’s Pick: Hobbs (Upset)

5A First Round (Nov 8/9)​

• No. 5 Los Alamos vs. No. 12 Valley
  • Prediction: Los Alamos 40, Valley 24
  • Grine’s Pick: Los Alamos
• No. 6 Mayfield vs. No. 11 Belen
  • Prediction: Mayfield 44, Belen 12
  • Grine’s Pick: Mayfield
• No. 7 Lovington vs. No. 10 Goddard
  • Prediction: Lovington 33, Goddard 22
  • Grine’s Pick: Lovington
• No. 8 Miyamura vs. No. 9 Highland
  • Prediction: Highland 34, Miyamura 21
  • Grine’s Pick: Highland

4A First Round (Nov 8/9)​

• No. 5 Portales vs. No. 12 Chaparral
  • Prediction: Portales 36, Chaparral 20
  • Grine’s Pick: Portales
• No. 6 Española Valley vs. No. 11 Manzano
  • Prediction: Española Valley 31, Manzano 30
  • Grine’s Pick: Manzano
• No. 7 Grants vs. No. 10 Silver
  • Prediction: Silver 24, Grants 22
  • Grine’s Pick: Grants
• No. 8 Valencia vs. No. 9 Moriarty
  • Prediction: Valencia 41, Moriarty 22
  • Grine’s Pick: Valencia

3A First Round (Nov 8/9)​

• No. 5 NMMI vs. No. 12 Hot Springs
  • Prediction: NMMI 34, Hot Springs 7
  • Grine’s Pick: NMMI
• No. 6 West Las Vegas vs. No. 11 Ruidoso
  • Prediction: West Las Vegas 32, Ruidoso 12
  • Grine’s Pick: West Las Vegas
• No. 7 Hatch Valley vs. No. 10 Pojoaque Valley
  • Prediction: Hatch Valley 26, Pojoaque Valley 24
  • Grine’s Pick: Hatch Valley
• No. 8 Hope Christian vs. No. 9 Thoreau
  • Prediction: Hope Christian 28, Thoreau 24
  • Grine’s Pick: Hope Christian

2A First Round (Nov 8/9)​

• No. 5 Eunice vs. No. 12 Laguna-Acoma
  • Prediction: Eunice 50, Laguna-Acoma 0
  • Grine’s Pick: Eunice
• No. 6 Loving vs. No. 11 Cuba
  • Prediction: Loving 44, Cuba 12
  • Grine’s Pick: Loving
• No. 7 Raton vs. No. 10 Jal
  • Prediction: Raton 28, Jal 14
  • Grine’s Pick: Raton
• No. 8 Navajo Prep vs. No. 9 McCurdy
  • Prediction: Navajo Prep 30, McCurdy 20
  • Grine’s Pick: Navajo Prep

How do you feel about the 2024-2025 NMAA classification and alignment changes?

• Good – It’s working well for teams and competition
• Bad – It’s created more issues than solutions
• Still Unsure – Too early to tell if it’s effective
• It’s Working, But Needs Adjustments

Seventeen Seasons of New Mexico High School Football: The Rise, Reign, and Revival of State Powerhouses​

J Grine of NMPreps

As we dive into the 17th season since 2008, New Mexico high school football has seen power shifts, dynasties emerge, and former champions fade. The field looks different, yet remarkably familiar, with many top programs still vying for supremacy and some surprising new contenders joining the ranks. What has changed, and what has remained? Let’s rewind the clock to 2008, examine the landscape, and trace how today’s champions were shaped.

2008: The Battle for Supremacy​

The 2008 season was marked by powerhouse programs with names that still echo through high school football fields today: Las Cruces, Eldorado, Goddard, Portales, and Lovington. At that time, Las Cruces and Eldorado battled for the 5A title, with Las Cruces emerging victorious under head coach Jim Miller, defeating Eldorado 26-21. The Bulldogs maintained relevance well into the next decade, winning titles in 2012 and 2013 before fading from the championship spotlight.

Eldorado also held its ground, even reaching the state final in 2015, though they haven't won a title in the nine years since. Head coach Charlie Dotson, a steadfast figure in New Mexico football, remains one of the few constants from that era, continuing to lead Eldorado to this day.

Shifts in Power: The Rise of Cleveland​

In 2011, Cleveland High School opened in Rio Rancho and quickly became a force, challenging traditional powers like Las Cruces and Mayfield. Led by notable coaches like Kirk Potter back in 2011, Heath Ridenour and, later, Robert Garza, Cleveland disrupted the old order. Their recent dominance has included multiple 6A titles, including a 2022 shootout victory over La Cueva, 75-61. La Cueva, another early 2000s powerhouse, has also had a resurgence, claiming the 6A title last season, defeating Cleveland 35-14.

The once-dominant Mayfield Trojans have seen less success in recent years, as Cleveland and Rio Rancho rose to prominence. With Michael Bradley at the helm in 2010, Mayfield took home a championship, but their appearances in the final rounds have since dwindled.

From Tigers to Bobcats: The Shifting Power in Northwest New Mexico​

Aztec, which played in three state championships from 2008 to 2011, crowned its golden age with a championship win in 2011. But since the exit of Brad Hirsch and Mr. Football quarterback Adam Lucero, Aztec has struggled. Bloomfield, however, has taken the torch, emerging as the dominant team in the northwest corner. Under head coach Mike Kovacs, Bloomfield claimed the 4A championship in 2022, and they’re looking poised to defend it this season. The changing of the guard in this region epitomizes the ever-shifting nature of high school football.

Roswell's Rise: From Rockets to Coyotes​

Once the banner program in Roswell, Goddard held the 4A title in 2008, edging out Aztec in a thrilling 49-45 victory under Sam Jernigan. They appeared in five title games in the early 2010s but haven’t reached the finals since 2013. Roswell High, led by Jeff Lynn, has since emerged as Roswell’s primary contender, including a championship run in 2018 and 2019. This season, they’re back as the top-ranked team in 5A, showing that Roswell’s grip on high school football remains tight, even as the faces have changed.

The Consistency of Texico and Small School Dominance​

Texico, which captured the AA title in 2008 under Michael Prokop, has remained a contender. In 2023, they took home the AA title again, and they’re set for another run this season. Their enduring success reflects a commitment to excellence often found in New Mexico’s smaller schools. Similarly, programs like Fort Sumner and Melrose continue to dominate the 8-man and 6-man divisions, exemplifying how small communities rally around football excellence.

Lovington and Portales: Small Town Success Stories​

Lovington and Portales have maintained a storied rivalry and success over the years. Lovington, which experienced a championship resurgence in 2021, continues to thrive, winning back-to-back titles, including in 2023. Portales has also stayed competitive, consistently challenging for 4A titles, and their deep-rooted success has kept them as a familiar fixture in championship conversations.

St. Michael's Dominance​

St. Michael's remains a pillar of consistency in 3A, led by head coach Joey Fernandez. After a state title win in 2012, St. Michael's has shown exceptional staying power, making three straight trips to the championship and capturing the title last season. Fernandez’s leadership has positioned St. Michael's as one of the most stable programs in the state, where they continue to push the envelope every season. They also won it in 2007 the year before I started.

Looking Ahead: Can Tradition Stay Strong?​

As we near the 2024 state championships, the powerhouses are both familiar and fresh. Programs like Texico, Melrose, and Fort Sumner keep the small-school football scene vibrant, while 6A’s Cleveland-La Cueva rivalry has grown to capture New Mexico’s attention. Still, questions loom: Can Las Cruces or Goddard rise back to the finals? Will we see new faces on championship day, or will the familiar names continue to reign?

For 17 seasons, New Mexico high school football has showcased the passion and dedication of its teams and communities, proving that while the faces and names may change, the love for the game remains constant. And as the season barrels toward the championship, one thing is clear—New Mexico’s football powerhouses are here to stay, even as they make room for new ones to shine.

Season 19 of NMPreps: A Look Back at the First Two Years

NMPreps began covering New Mexico high school football in 2006, marking the official start of the NMPreps era under the Rivals umbrella. That year, the excitement in prep football was unmistakable, with powerhouse teams like Mayfield, Artesia, and St. Michael’s taking home championships. It’s incredible to think how times have changed; Clovis was a dominant force back then, but in 2024, they’re on the brink of a winless season.

In 2006 and 2007, Artesia's Landry Jones was the name on everyone’s lips, with head coach Cooper Henderson guiding the Bulldogs to prominence. Meanwhile, Lordsburg thrived under the leadership of Louie Baisa, capturing a title in 2006 as they asserted themselves as a small-school powerhouse. Teams in the lower classifications also made history: Animas runner up in 2007 and New Mexico School for the Deaf claimed a championship in 2006, and Shaun Wigley led Gateway Christian to a state championship in 2006, a success he continued with titles in 2021 and 2022 and another state finals appearance in 2023. Mayfield's Michael Bradley cemented a dynasty with back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007, completing a three-peat dating back to 2005.

These formative years built the foundation for what NMPreps would become—a dedicated platform celebrating the heart and talent of New Mexico high school football. Let's see if football season 19 can bring some fireworks!

Related:
Link: Grine a Day in the Life: 16 Football Seasons at NMPreps

Updated: Friday, November 3rd

Post here or text to 505-414-4313

5A
1. Roswell
2.Artesia
3.Deming
4 Gadsden
5. Mayfield
6. Lovington
7. Los Alamos
8. Goddard
9. Miyamura
10. Highland
11. Belen
12. Valley

Post here

What do you have? What are the storylines to watch?

Thursday, Oct. 31
La Cueva 50, Albuquerque High 0 - F
Los Alamos 43, Miyamura 22 - F
St. Pius 16, Manzano 7 - F
Shiprock 40, Gallup 18 - F
Tohatchi 46, Zuni 6 - F
Valley 48, Rio Grande 18 - F
West Las Vegas 41, Pojoaque 12 - F
West Mesa 37, Santa Fe 0 - F

Friday, Nov. 1st
Alamogordo 62, Clovis 22 - F
Belen 28, Capital 21 - F
Bloomfield 41, Grants 6 - F
Centennial 42, Las Cruces 24 - F
Clayton 56, Questa 6 - F
Cleveland 43, Rio Rancho 12 - F
Deming 15, Gadsden 7 - F
Elida 52, Roy/Mosquero 31 - F
Escalante 38, Menual 14 - F
Espanola Valley 31, Aztec 7 - F
Eunice 65, Loving 27 - F
Grady 42, Magdalena 26 - F
Hatch Valley 50, Cobre 0 - F
Highland 31, Del Norte 14 - F
Hobbs 28, Carlsbad 19 - F
Logan 62, NMSD 7 - F
Los Lunas 44, Sandia 0 - F
Lordsburg 60, Mescalero Apache 6 - F
Lovington 44, Santa Teresa 9 - F
Moriarty 38, Kirtland Central 23 - F
Mountainair 62, Dora 7 - F
Navajo Prep 44, Newcomb 24 - F
Piedra Vista 29, Farmington 19 - F
Portales 44, Chaparral 19 - F
Raton 41, Estancia 18 - F
Roswell 27, Goddard 0 - F
Ruidoso 21, Hot Springs 17 - F
St Michael's 34, Robertson 21 - F
Santa Rosa 27, Legacy Academy 21 - F
Socorro 42, NMMI 35 - F
Taos 21, Bernalillo 14 - F
Texico 52, Jal 0 - F
Thoreau 22, Crownpoint 14 - F
Volcano Vista 49, Cibola 0 - F

Saturday, Nov 2
Artesia (6-3) at Mayfield (4-5), 1pm
Cuba (3-6) at Laguna Acoma (4-4), 1p
Eldorado (6-3) at Atrisco Heritage (2-7), 11am
Dulce (5-4) at Tatum (5-5), 4pm - 8Man Playoffs
McCurdy (6-3) at Hozho Academy (4-5), 1pm
Tucumcari (2-7) at Capitan (0-8), 2pm
Valencia (6-3) at Albuquerque Academy (3-6), 1pm