Thursday Night Picks, Predictions, and Favorites

NMPreps weekly favorites and underdogs feature. Today, we release our predictions for September 1st, 2022.


Other Thursday Games:
NMSD at KSD
Roy vs JV Team
Pine Hill at Navajo Pine
Jal vs JV Team

The September 1st game between ENMU and NMHU apparently will be free. A generous donor is buying the tickets. Plenty of NM local talent on both rosters.

Albuquerque at Sandia

Best (0-2) team that will make the playoffs?

Grine: In 6A Football the obvious choice would have to be the Eldorado Eagles. The two losses come against Cibola (39-29) in week one and Rio Rancho (34-17) during week 2. This weekend they will take on Atrisco Heritage (1-1) in what becomes a make or potentially break, when it comes to playoffs. Other teams that are in our most likely to make the playoffs without a win teams - Las Cruces (0-1) and Clovis (0-2). 5A football has Santa Teresa and Santa Teresa has a chance to be featured again next week. They will play another tough game, this time against 4A power Lovington (0-2). Also, Lovington represents 4A in this conversation after two of the toughest games to start a season. The Wildcats squared off against Roswell and Seminole, Texas.

Teams that are improved and playing for a playoff spot in week 2?

Grine: Yeah, there is a lot of football to be played before we can start playoff talk. So today, I start more playoff talk. We've mentioned this once or twice Thursday morning but Albuquerque (1-0) and Sandia (1-1) has the potential to be a play-in game. I feel that was a possibility last season too. Albuquerque was an underdog in week one and now find themselves in the same situation against Sandia. The winner improves their playoff chances and moves the percentage of them making it closer to the lock section. Sandia is looking for a huge bounce-back game. Another team that I like that could be 2-1 by Sunday morning is the Alamogordo Tigers. Last week proved that they are back on the rise after playing close with top-5 ranked Los Lunas last week.

Playoff, Play-In, Resume Level Game. Who is making the playoffs in 2022?

Grine: By now many are likely echoing Mora's famous press conference -- playoffs? Yeah, it's the topic in this weeks questions of the week. Volcano Vista (2-0) and Carlsbad (1-1) enters the conversation of my "extra attention games". I know I will be focused on this outcome and following along closely. Carlsbad has peaked our interest as a potential player in that southern district as a playoff team. Goddard (1-1) and Deming (1-1) will square it out on Friday night in Deming. The Deming Wildcats had some hype as a top-5 team entering the season, can they rebound in upset fashion? Goddard, also coming off a loss will look to make a statement as a true 5A title contender.

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What will we learn from the Portales (2-0) and West Las Vegas (2-0) game? -- In short I say that we will get a better picture of just how good each team is this season. Evenly matched game that will be a good test.

Can the Lions (Santa Rosa) really upset Robertson? -- I will say that Santa Rosa is much improved. Better than predicted. Robertson is very good though. I have the urge to attend this game.

Should the Silver-Cobre game have more excitement surrounding it? Both look like playoff squads that could win a game or two. I say, this one has excitement and both could create excitement the entire season. Yes, this is one of the must play regional games but it could create buzz for the rest of the season.

West Mesa (1-1) and Cibola (2-0) should be mentioned. Or should they? West Mesa had a chance to really surprise us but fell last week. I will say 1-1 is better than 0-2. They are improved but Cibola looks to be moving on all cylinders, outplaying those predictions that hinted at maybe a let down year. With or without Chavez. More without Williams (Roderick). However, Chris Howe has them playing well.

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Join the Conversation. Answer any questions or add to the talks.

New Mexico High School Football Week 3 Rankings

NMPreps New Mexico high school football team rankings for the week of August 29th-September 4th. #nmpreps

6A FOOTBALL


5A FOOTBALL


4A FOOTBALL


3A FOOTBALL


2A FOOTBALL

Ranking the Games to Watch

59-Games will take place this weekend in New Mexico high school football. We rank all 1 - 59 of what to watch this weekend. The games will start on Thursday, September 1st. #nmpreps

1. Centennial (2-0) at La Cueva (1-1)
2. Hobbs (2-0) at Roswell (2-0)
3. Cleveland (1-1) at Amarillo, TX (0-1)
4. Albuquerque (1-0) at Sandia (1-1) - Thurs
5. Mayfield (2-0) at Organ Mountain (1-1) - Thurs
6. Goddard (1-1) at Deming (1-1)
7. Belen (1-1) at Artesia (1-1)
8. Portales (2-0) at West Las Vegas (2-0)
9. Volcano Vista (2-0) at Carlsbad (1-1)
10. Hope Christian (1-0-1) at Albuquerque Academy (2-0) - Sat
11. West Mesa (1-1) at Cibola (2-0)
12. Atrisco Heritage (1-1) at Eldorado (0-2) - Sat
13. Robertson (1-1) at Santa Rosa (1-1)
14. Durango, CO (1-0) at Piedra Vista (2-0)
15. Raton (2-0) at Trinidad, CO (0-1)
16. Las Cruces (0-1) at Eastwood, TX (0-1)
17. Capital (1-1) at Los Alamos (1-1)
18. Santa Teresa (0-2) at Lovington (0-2)
19. Santa Fe (0-2) at St. Michael's (2-0) - Sat
20. Clovis (0-2) at Randall, TX (0-1)
21. NMMI (2-0) at Texico (2-0)
22. Silver (2-0) at Cobre (1-1)
23. Eunice (1-1) at Ropes, TX (0-1) - Thurs
24. Bayfield, CO (0-1) at Aztec (1-1)
25. Ruidoso (1-1) at Chaparral (0-2) - Thurs
26. Alamogordo (1-1) at Gadsden (0-2)
27. Valley (1-1) at St. Pius X (0-2)
28. Grants (1-1) at Bloomfield (2-0)
29. Tularosa (1-1) at Hatch Valley (1-0-1)
30. Wingate (1-1) at Tohatchi (1-1)
31. Del Norte (0-2) at Bernalillo (1-1)
32. Farmington (0-2) at Los Lunas (2-0)
33. Hagerman (2-0) at Dexter (0-2)
34. Magdalena (2-0) at Melrose (1-1)
35. Tatum (1-1) at Lordsburg (2-0)
36. Anthony, TX (1-0) at Hot Springs (0-2)
37. Kirtland Central (0-1) at Thoreau (2-0) - Thurs
38. Animas (1-0) at Mountianair (2-0) - Sat
39. Crownpoint (1-1) at Zuni (1-1) - Thurs
40. Estancia (0-2) at Socorro (2-0) - Thurs
41. Rio Grande (0-2) at Taos (1-1)
42. Gallup (0-2) at Miyamura (0-2) - Thurs
43. Newcomb (1-0) at Moriarty (1-1)
44. Menaul (1-1) at Logan (2-0)
45. NMSD (0-0) at KSD (0-0) - Thurs
46. Dora (1-1) at Floyd (0-0)
47. Elida (2-0) at Grady (1-1)
48. Cuba (1-1) at Shiprock (1-1)
49. Tucumcari (0-2) at Loving (2-0)
50. Escalante (1-1) at Navajo Prep (0-1) - Thurs
51. McCurdy (0-2) at Espanola Valley (0-2)
52. Fort Sumner (1-0) at Mesilla Valley (0-1)
53. Santa Fe Indian (0-2) at Laguna-Acoma (0-2)
54. Chesterton Academy (0-1) at Jemez Valley (0-1)
55. Legacy Academy (0-2) at Clayton (2-0)
56. Gateway Christian (2-0) at Ramah (0-1)
57. Questa (0-2) at Dulce (1-0) - Sat
58. Pine Hill (0-1) at Navajo Pine (0-2) - Thurs
59. JV Team at Jal (2-0) - Thurs
60. JV Team at Roy (0-2) - Thurs

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Agree or what games are in your top-10?

Josh posted an article of mine on football side. Would love to hear about your view of unwritten rules, your “must do” and “must never do” rules on your programs, and whatever else .

Most Likely to Upset in Week 3

The following link provides update on injured OM player Abe Romero. Long road of recovery ahead.
https://2022.omhsfootball.com/abe

Nevada Wolf Pack (0-0, 0-0) vs. New Mexico State Aggies (0-0, 0-0)
Date: Saturday, August 27, 2022
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Aggie Memorial Stadium — Las Cruces, NM
Coverage: ESPN2

Nevada enters this contest at (-9) visiting Las Cruces and the NMSU Aggies. The O/U is 50.5.

Notes: Ken Wilson is the new head coach at Nevada. Nevada went 8-5 last season. NMSU starts the Jerry Kill era in Las Cruces. NMSU went 2-10 last season.

Post week 2 game reactions here.

collectables. What do you collect and why is it the best collection?

What do you have?

Week 3 Team of the Week

*****WEEK TWO SCHEDULE (AUG 25TH-27TH)*****

The following schedule for week 2 of the New Mexico high school football season. Post your score updates here or text to 505-414-4313. #nmpreps

Thursday, August 25th
Belen 52, Manzano 0 - F
Fort Sumner 52, Legacy Academy 0 - F
Gateway Christian 52, Carrizozo - F
Highland 38, St. Pius X 14 - F
Portales 26, Ruidoso 14 - F
West Las Vegas 48, Dexter 14 - F
Wingate 28, Navajo Prep 14 - F

Friday, August 26th


Saturday, August 28th

Week 2 Friday Night Takeaways

It's early in the New Mexico high school football season and the season continues to surprise us each night. Today, we try and make sense of the changes.

1. Reservation for three..... What we've learned in two Friday nights of New Mexico high school football is that we have three teams sitting at the top with a fourth team on the waiting list. Centennial (No. 2 NMPreps 6A) controlled the entire game against El Paso-Franklin (TX). The Hawks were favored by 1.5 point and ended up winning, 49-21. Cleveland and La Cueva are the other two teams at the table and the Storm rebounded from last weeks loss with a win over La Cueva, 33-29. Oh and the fourth team on the waiting list is Volcano Vista (No. 4/6A) who has been impressive in their openers, following up their win against Las Cruces last week with a 50-20 win over West Mesa this week.

2. Chavez returns in special form....The Cibola Cougars (No. 6 NMPreps 6A) moved along easy, 68-14, against Valley on Friday Night. Aden Chavez who transferred back to New Mexico finished the evening with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns. Branden Castillo (2023), Marcus Wilson (2023) highlight some of his catches but just about all offensive players showed the touchdown party --- Anthony Romero (run), Jaiden Viramontes (run), Brayden Mummert (xtra points and Peyton Harrison (receiving). Aiden Harrison also tossed a TD for the Cougars in the win.

3. Early New Mexico Mr. Football candidates radar coming together... Volcano Vista QB Elliot Paskett-Bell continued to shine for the Hawks and after two games the senior is finding himself earning some recognition. Down south, the Centennial Hawks RB Mikah Gutierrez ran wild finishing with four touchdowns and 183-yards in the win over Franklin (TX). Can we talk kickers. Brayden Money (Alamogordo) smashed a 53-yard FG last night and Mason Crowell (La Cueva) hit one from 36-yards. As we compile more top players from this week the list will take form.

TWO MINUTE DRILL

Class President: Evan Wysong's first touchdown of the night went for 68-yards (run). He then had a 12-yard TD run and a 40-yard passing touchdown to Andres Armijo,

Foolish Pick: The Alamogordo Tigers (No. 17/6A) didn't shy away from being predicted as a potential mercy ruled game by Los Lunas (No. 5/6A). Los Lunas won 43-30 but it showed that the Tigers could be hunting for a final spot in the playoffs. Much improved. The Grine picks for the night went 23-6 for those not counting.

Who Picked the O/U of 100: Artesia-Hobbs was expected to be high scoring we had them going for about 73 points but they exceeded that prediction. Hobbs won this shootout 69-48. I will go rapid fire with this scoring stanza -- 1Q: Nye Estrada hit Peyton Greathouse for a 17 yard TD pass (Artesia 7-0); Bradley Valenzula scored from a yard out (Artesia (13-0); Omar Argott finds Jeremiah Jaquez from 28-yards for a TD (Artesia 13, Hobbs 7); Estrada hits Julian Rodriguez from 50-yards for the TD (Artesia 21, Hobbs 7); Argott hits Ethan Vanlandingham from 10-yards out (Artesia 21, Hobbs 13); 2nd Q: Kaden Trevino TD (Artesia 21, Hobbs 20); Argott connects with Jaquez again this time from 75-yards (Hobbs 27, Artesia 21); Diego Baeza gets on the board from 5-yards out (Hobbs 34, Artesia 21); Trevino scores again, this time on a 12-yard pass from Argott (Hobbs 41, Artesia 21); Estrada and Nick Sanchez end the Bulldog scoring drought with a 11-yard touchdown pass (Hobbs 41, Artesia 28); Estrada hits Rodriguez from 23-yards for a final TD of the half (Hobbs 41, Artesia 35); 3rd Q: Argott runs one in this time from 10-yards (Hobbs 48, Artesia 35); Payton Deans jumps in from 2 yards out (Hobbs 48, Artesia 41); Argott-Jacquez connection strikes again from 10-yards out (Hobbs 55, Artesia 41); 4th Q: Baeza scores again for Hobbs this time from 22-yards (Hobbs 62, Artesia 41); Cayden Joy scores for the Bulldogs (Hobbs 62, Artesia 48); Baeza scores the final score, a rushing TD (Hobbs 69, Artesia 48 - FINAL)

Quietly a Game of the Night: Texico and Santa Rosa are hanging around the 2A top-five rankings. The Texico Wolverines won 23-20 but it appears to have been a good football game to watch. If you have some stats or input please post or send us information.

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Now we ask. What are your takeaways from Friday night? What does your Week 3 ranking ballot look like? Most impressive teams so far this season?

Top New Mexico High School Football Players to Watch in 2022

NMPreps preseason look at the top New Mexico high school football players to watch in the 2022 season. #nmpreps

2023
Aaron Loya - Highland High School - DE
Ace Gonzales - Robertson High School - LB
Aidan Armenta - La Cueva High School - QB
Aidan Carreon - Silver High School - RB
Alejandro Sapien - St. Pius X - QB
Alexavier Carreon - Jal High School - RB
Andres Rivera - Albuquerque Academy - QB
Ashton Aranda - Lovington High School - QB
Avelino Trujillo - Capital High School - WR
Branden Castillo - Cibola High School - WR
Brayden Mummert - Cibola High School - TE
Brennan Garcia - Lovington High School - OG/NT
Caden Lowery - Cibola High School - LB
Caeden Jojola - Valley High School - QB
Cayden Walton - Raton High School - RB
Chris Montoya - Rio Rancho High School - DB
Colt Mangino - La Cueva High School - DB
Crux Markham - La Cueva High School - WR
Daemon Ely - Taos High School - QB
Dalen Moyer - Sandia High School - QB
Dalton Trapp - Ruidoso High School - DE
Dane Naylor - Carlsbad High School - QB
Devyn Woods - Centennial High School - LB
Diego Baeza - Hobbs High School - ATH
Elliott Paskett-Bell - Volcano Vista - QB
Elijah Espinzoa - West Mesa - LB/RB
Erik Wolf - Moriarty High School - RB
Ethan Vandlandingham - Hobbs High School - WR
Evan Wysong - Cleveland High School - QB
Exodus Ayers - La Cueva High School - WR
Ezekiel Guzman - Lovington High School - OT/DE
Devonte Shendo - Cleveland High School - DB
Gabriel Buie - La Cueva High School - RB
Gavon Hall - Ruidoso High School - LB
Hayden Brownell - Cibola High School - SS
Ian Ortiz - Deming High School - DE
Isaiah Abeyta - Centennial High School - WR
Isaiah Ontiveros - West Mesa High School - RB/DB
Izaiah Gonzales - Centennial High School - OT/DE
Jabulani Cooper - Albuquerque High School - LB
Jakeem Reed - Farmington High School - RB
Javier Martinez - Capital High School - WR
John Garza - Carlsbad High School - DT
Jonathon Mendez - Carlsbad High School - OL
Josh Perry - Cleveland High School - RB
Julian Munoz - Capital High School - QB
Justin Vigil - Valley High School - WR
Kaden Trevino - Hobbs High School - WR
Kellan Gehres - Albuquerque Academy - WR
Kenyon Singleton - Hobbs High School - LB
Landon Martinez - Albuquerque Academy - S
Malachi Thymes - Sandia High School - RB
Matthew Romero - Moriarty High School - RB
Mason Crowell - La Cueva High School - WR
Mikah Gutierrez - Centennial High School - RB
Mikey Woods - Rio Rancho High School - WR
Nic Trujillo - Cleveland High School - WR
Paul Cieremans - Los Lunas High School - QB
Peyton Harrison - Cibola High School - LB
Saul Ruiz - Carlsbad High School - LB
Siddeeq Shabazz - Las Cruces High School - S
Ricky Henderson - Valley High School - RB
Ryan Sharpe - Bloomfield High School - QB
Taven Lozada - St. Michael's - TE
Thomas Ordonez - Los Lunas High School - WR
Travien Williams II - Rio Rancho High School - WR
Tylen Gonzales - Carlsbad High School - DE
Zedekiah Thompson - West Mesa High School - DB

2024
Alijah Gonzales - Volcano Vista High School - LB
Amare Gonzales - Moriarty High School - QB
Andres Aguirre - Cleveland High School - RB
Brandon Olives - Eldorado High School - QB
Brody Whittaker - Albuquerque Academy - OL/DL
Dean Marquez - Atrisco Heritage Academy - QB
Devin Diaz - Portales High School - QB
Drew Welletto - Loving High School - RB
Eduardo De La Cruz - Loving High School - T, G
Elijah Brody - Cleveland High School - DB
Fabian Trujillo - Los Lunas - WR
Hunter Maldonado - Sandia High School - DB
Isaac Medrano - Cleveland High School - RB/LB
Isaac Foutz - Farmington High School - DL
Jacob Gomez - Hatch Valley High School - QB
Jackson Cherry - La Cueva High School - DB
Jackson Hix - La Cueva High School - WR
Jake Baca - Hope Christian High School - OL/DL
Jett Stone - Clovis High School - CB
John Sierra - Centennial High School - LB
Josh Mondragon - Clovis High School - LB
Kaleb Rodriguez - Loving High School - QB
Kysiah Lujan - Loving High School - LB
Landon Frost - Aztec High School - QB
Marcus Wilson - Cibola High School - WR
Marquise Renfro - Atrisco Heritage Academy - FS
Stratton Shufelt - Cleveland High School - LB
Terl Griego - Farmington High School - QB
Wyatt Gomez - Lovington High School - QB
Zayke Hawkins - Las Cruces High School - WR

2025
Alex Lopez - Highland HS - ATH
Amiri Mumba - Highland HS - ATH
Austin Stegall - Aztec High School - DB
Cannon Walton - Raton High School - ATH
CJ Perea - West Las Vegas High School - QB
Damian Avila - Belen High School - DB
Ethan Tafoya - West Las Vegas - LB
Jalin Holland - Los Lunas High School - WR
Jesse James Gonzalez - Robertson High School - DB
Jonathon Gonzales - West Las Vegas - DE
Jordan Lucas - Centennial High School - WR
Jose Plazola - Raton High School - G, DT
Latavious Morris - Atrisco Heritage Academy - CB
Manny Chavez - Portales High School - LB
Mason Posa - La Cueva High School - LB
Nathaniel Gonzalez - Robertson High School - DB
Nolbert Cervantez - Jal High School - DB
Ondalis Cardenas - Lovington HS - RB
Patrick Rodriguez - West Las Vegas HS - DB
Terrance Crespin - Santa Fe Indian School - CB
Isaac Quintana - Clayton High School - SS
Wyatt Berry - Raton High School - CB
Xavier Nez - Navajo Prep School - CB

Missing a player? E-mail us to grinejosh@yahoo.com or text to 505-414-4313.

Post stats here or text to 505-414-4313

LINKED HERE

Bosque School is looking for a JV Head Coach and JV Assistant coach for the 2022-2023 season to fill out our Boys Basketball coaching roster. Prior High School coaching experience is required for the Head Coach position and a bonus for the assistant coach position.

Come join a thriving and successful basketball program and help us develop some great young men, on and off the court.

Please contact me if you are interested or send someone who is my direction.

clifton.davidson@bosqueschool.org

Vote in the poll

SCHEDULE
Atrisco Heritage (0-1) at Rio Grande (0-1)
Aztec (1-0) at Montezuma-Cortez, CO (0-0)
Dora (1-0) at Mountainair (1-0)
El Paso-Cathedral (0-0) at Hot Springs (0-1)
Grants (0-1) at Gallup (0-1)
Hope Christian (1-0) at Hatch Valley (1-0)
Loving (1-0) at JV Team (--)
Mesilla Valley (0-0) at Clayton (1-0)
Miyamura (0-1) at Silver (1-0)
Moriarty (1-0) at Albuquerque Academy (1-0)
New Mexico Military (1-0) at McCurdy (0-1)
Rio Rancho (0-1) at Eldorado (0-1)
Robertson (0-1) at Cobre (1-0)
Shiprock (0-1) at Crownpoint (1-0)
Socorro (1-0) at Santa Fe Indian (0-1)
Valencia (0-1) at Del Norte (0-1)

Big win.

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Week 2 Pick 'Em Challenge

How: We place win/point values and you pick the winners. We will track the standings all season long.

Cleveland at La Cueva, +100 (+150 Cleveland is the upset)
Sandia at Piedra Vista, +75 (+125 Piedra Vista is the upset)
Santa Rosa at Texico, +100 (+175 Santa Rosa is the upset)
Volcano Vista at West Mesa, +150 (West Mesa is the upset +175)
Artesia at Hobbs, +200 either way

How to Post
Cleveland
Sandia
Santa Rosa
Volcano Vista
Artesia

New Mexico High School Football Playoff Predictions

NMPreps week 2 playoff predictions. As the resumes get built, we will update with each game. #nmpreps

6A FOOTBALL






Over-reaction: Hobbs on the move up after week 1. Las Cruces and Rio Rancho take a step in the other direction after week 1. District 4 - "Northeast" could only see one team earn a bid.

Under-reaction: Cibola's win over Eldorado. Are the Cougars now a dark horse with the return of Chavez? They also beat Eldorado 39-29 last week.

Bubble Out: Clovis and Carlsbad swap spots, despite both losing last week.

5A FOOTBALL



Keys: Manzano-Belen this Thursday; Belen-Valley in week 4. Those match-ups could determine 7-10 seeds.

Four for Four: Could all four teams from the southern district get the top four seeds? They likely should be. If one of the teams goes 0-3 then that could have them fall out of the top four.

4A FOOTBALL



Bubble: Espanola Valley or Grants could get the 12th spot in this classification. I would say that the top 9 teams are locks already.

3A FOOTBALL



5 Autos handed to DCS in bold.

Notes - Crownpoint and Cuba will likely be the teams playing for the bid out of that district. Thoreau showed they could be in that conversation. District 2 should have two teams in the top-four and four in the top-8. Dexter loss last week has them out this week but the third place finisher could end up in the 10-12 range, today we have them at 9.