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.

New Mexico High School Football Friday Night Preview

NMPreps guide to Friday night in New Mexico high school football. #nmpreps

TOP FIVE GAMES THIS WEEK

La Cueva Bears (1-0) vs Cleveland Storm (0-1)
For the first time since 2012 the Cleveland Storm enter week two off a loss, winning every home opener from 2013-2021. They started that season 0-2, the first loss was to La Cueva. I believe that was coach Ridenhour first game as head coach and we know how that turned out for the former Cleveland head coach. This contest brings talent at every corner with next level talent featured on both rosters. La Cueva coming off a convincing win over Rio Rancho last week, 30-7, is the reason the Bears enter as the favorite to play for the state championship. The headline in this one is the WR showdown between Nic Trujillo (Cleveland) and Ian Sanchez (La Cueva), both fresh off a top player performance in week 1.

Centennial Hawks (1-0) vs El Paso-Franklin (TX) Cougars (0-0)
Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history the Centennial Hawks go back to back against tough competition. This one brings the Franklin Cougars and outstanding receiver Beau Sparks (1,251-yards and 16-touchdowns). Also, look for big time stars Shay Smith (QB) and Jordan Morales (RB) to be names this tonight. The Cougars went 8-3 last season (one loss to Cleveland in the opener in 2021). Last week we were welcomed to junior quarterback Daniel Hernandez (225-yards passing) and we will have eyes on the second showing. Running back Mikah Gutierrez also with a big night last week rushing for 183-yards and a touchdown.

Hobbs Eagles (1-0) vs Artesia Bulldogs
These early region rivalry games make the start of New Mexico high school football special. This year the Hobbs-Artesia game brings some flare with the Hobbs Eagles fresh off a 46-7 win over school rival Clovis last week. Artesia also off a school rival in Carlsbad in instant classic fashion (30-27). Omar Argott (2023) is the new man under center for Hobbs, he's coming off a 170-yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns. The Bulldogs also feature a new quarterback in Nye Estrada (2023) who threw for three touchdowns last week in a win. Estrada and the Bulldogs feature a core of targets in Peyton Greathouse, Bradley Valenzula, and Juan Diego-Duran.

Volcano Vista Hawks (1-0) at West Mesa Mustangs (1-0)
Some extra juice in this game as the Mustangs had a big opening night win last Thursday night. Elijah Brody (2023) a Cleveland transfer shined at quarterback adding to a group of talent on the Mustangs entering the season. Another prospect we will have a close eye on is Zebadiah Thompson (2023) a safety that accounted for 9 total tackles last week. The O-D combo for the Hawks is a special one and proved that they were greatly underestimated entering the season behind QB Elliot Pasket-Bell (2023) and Alijah Gonzales (2023) on offensive. Nathan Wallin (2023) guides the defense that really shined in the second half last week upsetting Las Cruces.

Santa Rosa Lions (1-0) at Texico Wolverines (1-0)
This one picked up steam after the Lions ran their way to a 40-0 win last week over Dexter. Texico (1-0) entered the season ranked in the top-3 and now sit at No. 2 in 2A football. The Wolverines won their opener, 45-6, over Estancia. Andres Madrid (Santa Rosa) entered the season as a must-see 2A player and he lived up to the hype with 160-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Texico features stars Cade Figg (2024/QB) and RB Alex Fuentes (2025) who totaled for five touchdowns between the two.

RAPID FIRE

The Jal Panthers (1-0) the top cat in 2A football will travel to Tularosa to take on the Wildcats (1-0). Alexavier Carreon (Jal) totaled for 143-yards last week.

The opening act to the Santa Fe showdown next week puts the St. Michael's Horsemen (1-0) taking on the Capital Jaguars (1-0), which has some hype after a mercy rule win last week. Marcus Leyba (SM) rushed for 159-yards and two touchdowns last week and Francisco Diaz (Capital) had 121 yards and two touchdowns for the Jags.

A game that should have more excitement as the Carlsbad Cavemen (0-1) look to rebound against a top team in Goddard (1-0). The Cavemen have a stud in Eli Asay who shined last week.

Sandia (1-0) and Piedra Vista (1-0) is quietly a must-see watch in Northwest New Mexico. Sandia features top ranked RB Malachi Thymes (2023) and Piedra Vista with a group effort had a convincing win over Farmington.

TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Mercy Rule Watch: Los Lunas at Alamogordo
Talent Show: Cibola at Valley
Are they a contender: Deming hosts Organ Mountain
Intriguing Game: Los Alamos favored at Taos
Capital Visit: Roswell travels to Ivan Head to take on Santa Fe High

Post Here

Should we have 6-classes in football? or how many?

Should the state championships be at one location?

Should we have an all-star game for each classification?

What game are you at tonight?

New Mexico High School Football Picks & Predictions


Grine Picks Record: 24-12
Week 2 (1-4)
Week 1 (23-8)

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Who are your picks, line picks, and/or score predictions?

What do you have?

Offer from NMSU

New Mexico high school football Thursday preview, picks, & predictions

NMPreps look at the second week of the New Mexico high school football season. #nmpreps

PREVIEW

Artesia-JV at Capitan (0-1)
Coming off a loss to Hagerman last week (20-6) the Capitan Tigers host Artesia-JV hoping to get on the winning side of things. Sophomore Cole Seidenberger is a name to know for the Tigers tonight.

Belen (0-1) at Manzano (0-1)
In terms of two teams that just can't wait to get out there and hit each other, these two want to forget about last week and get after it tonight. Belen fell to rival Los Lunas 45-0, Manzano 35-0 to Mayfield. Despite both of the teams looking for their first score, this one has some playoff implications to it.

Dexter (0-1) at West Las Vegas (1-0)
One game went as expected, the other surprised the masses for the wrong reason. West Las Vegas a top five team in 3A football moved along with ease over Escalante last week, 34-13. 2025 quarterback C.J. Perea had 278-passing yards in the win and should shine again tonight. Dexter slow out the gate with a 40-0 loss to Santa Rosa last week will look to rebound this week. The Demons have some youth and they look to continue the development of sophomore RB Kaesyn George who had 8 carries for 55-yards last week.

Loving (1-0) at Alamogordo-JV
After only a single win last season the Loving Falcons will look to notch win number two tonight. Second-year starter Kaleb Rodriguez continues his growth as the 5-11 junior passed the ball for 184-yards and 3-touchdowns last week. Freshman RB Bobby Parraz will look to duplicate his first start -- 137 rushing yards -- and lead the rushing attack.

Ruidoso (1-0) at Portales (1-0)
3A vs 4A contest that will highlight the night. Both teams coming off wins with Ruidoso 20-0 over Gadsden and Portales beating Highland 31-16. Both teams are ranked in the top-four of their classification -- Ruidoso No. 2 (3A) and Portales No. 4 (4A). Ruidoso features a two stars in Cooper Pritchett (QB/2023) who had 100-yards passing in the opening along with two-way next level prospect Dalton Trapp (2023) leading the team in total tackles at 13 last week. This one has the opportunity to be a hard hitting game won late in the second half.

St. Pius X (0-1) at Highland (0-1)
Tough opening game for the St. Pius X Sartans falling to Bloomfield 61-20 in week one. They'll look to rebound against the Highland Hornets who are also coming off a loss to Portales, 31-16. Quarterback Alejandro Sapien started hot last week for SPX tossing three first half touchdowns and will look to continue guiding the Sartans offense. Highland has a new name in Alejandro Lopez (2025) leading the offense, he had 64-yards passing and 78-yards rushing last week totaling 1 TD. He also did it on defense with 17-total tackles. This one will favor the Sartans but the Hornets will provide some fight.

Wingate (0-1) at Navajo Prep (0-0)
The Wingate Bears are currently ranked 21st in 4A football and coming off a 22-20 loss to Belen-JV last week. Navajo Prep didn't find an opponent for week one and looking to take the field for the first time this season. They are favored to win district 1-3A (Zuni, Newcomb, and Tohatchi).

More: Fort Sumner (0-0) at Legacy Academy (0-1); Carrizozo (0-1) at Gateway Christian (1-0)

PICKS & PREDICTIONS


*6A-2A varsity vs varsity games predicted and picked.

Question above - DON'T LOOK IT UP

Aztec High School - OPEN

Belen High School - hired Sam Gavaldon (former Cottonwood HC)

Bloomfield High School - Hired Brady Rivers (former Piedra Vista boys HC)

Cottonwood Prep - OPEN

Los Lunas High School - OPEN

Moriarty High School - OPEN

Shiprock High School - Hired Robert McCaskil (former Aztec HC)

Rio Rancho High School - Hired Lori Mabrey (former Cibola HC)

Longtime Texas high school football coach Gary Gaines, who led Odessa Permian and was featured in the “Friday Night Lights” book and movie, died on Monday, his family confirmed.

He was 73.

Gaines died in Lubbock, Texas, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease, per The Associated Press.

Gaines spent three decades coaching throughout Texas, though most notably at Odessa Permian from 1986-1989. Gaines went 47-6-1 during that stretch and led the team to a perfect season that ended with a state title in 1989.

The 1988 season was the subject of Buzz Bissinger’s 1990 best selling book, “Friday Night Lights,” which was eventually made into a movie in 2004 and then a television show on NBC. The 1988 team, which James “Boobie” Miles missed after injuring his knee, fell in the state semifinals.

Gaines also spent time coaching as an assistant at Texas Tech and the head coach at Abilene Christian. He led Abilene High School and San Angelo Central, worked as the athletic director in Odessa and in Lubbock, and then returned to lead Permian one last time in 2009.

Agree with the suspension?

Grine: What to Watch This Week

Week 2 is officially here and today we run down the must-see games to watch this week in New Mexico high school football. #nmpreps

GAMES OF THE NIGHT

Thursday Night (August 25th/7p)
Ruidoso (1-0) at Portales (1-0)
It'll be a bit of a quiet night on Thursday night as far as "big" games, so we'll go with this 4A vs 3A clash of eastern New Mexico teams. The Ruidoso Warriors (No. 2 NMPreps 3A) are favored in 3A football to contend for a title and return off a win over 5A Gadsden, 20-0, in week 1. The Portales Rams (No. 4 NMPreps 4A) held their own against a visiting Albuquerque-Highland in week one beating the visiting Hornets, 31-16. The defense will play into this outcome and the all eyes on me could be focused on 6-foot-6 DE Dalton Trapp of Ruidoso.

Friday Night (August 26th/7p)
Cleveland (0-1) at La Cueva (1-0)
Despite being upset in week one, Cleveland playing against La Cueva will still bring the marquee status that you'd want to see in week 2 of the season. La Cueva (No. 1 NMPreps 6A) brings arguably the best offense in the class behind a duo of Aidan Armenta (2023) and Ian Sanchez (2023) which connect 7-times for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 1. Cleveland (No. 3 NMPreps 6A) still features an offense that could light up the scoreboard and Nic Trujillo (2023) lived up to the hype last week scoring all five touchdowns for the Storm. The x-factor in this contest will be on the DL and La Cueva featuring Mason Posa (2025) could be trouble for the Storm.

Saturday (August 27th/11a)
Rio Rancho (0-1) at Eldorado (0-1)
We will mention this game again in this feature for our rapid fire and we will use this spot as the reason why. The Rams and Eldorado both enter the week coming off a loss, the Rams looking for some offensive answers falling last week and not scoring a single offensive point. Eldorado dropped their contest to Cibola, 39-29, and hope for a better finish this week after jumping out early.

RAPID FIRE

Playoff Bubble Talk: Belen (0-1) at Manzano (0-1) on Thursday night could give us an idea of the 10-12 seeds in 5A football. Both are looking for their first touchdown after being shutout in their openers.

A Playoff Team Could Start 0-2: Rio Rancho (0-1) at Eldorado (0-1). This is the best game to watch on Saturday and also fits well into this section for the week.

Rebound Week: St. Pius X (0-1) hopes to rebound after a lackluster opening week loss as they face Highland (0-1). This game is on Thursday night.

Measuring Stick: Carlsbad (0-1) at Goddard (1-0). Carlsbad fell to Goddard district foe Artesia last week, 30-27. This game could give us a small idea of the placement for the Rockets. Also, Carlsbad could be a dangerous opponent and their response to that close loss could make this one very intriguing.

Closed for the Game: Artesia (1-0) at Hobbs (1-0). Artesia and Hobbs are both solid this season, well Artesia is always solid, but Hobbs has one of their best teams under head coach Stevens. This is a sneaky favorite game of mine for the weekend.

Double Take: Sandia (1-0) at Piedra Vista (1-0) and St. Michael's (1-0) at Capital (1-0) will give us an idea of just how good some teams are. In the Sandia-PV game two things intrigue us: Sandia a top-8 team in 6A or did last week show that they are still in the 9-12 spots. Piedra Vista dominated Farmington last week but this week could give us a better of idea of just how dominant they are in 5A football. Capital looked much improved last week but they'll have a tougher competition against St. Michael's.

Western Showdown: Volcano Vista (1-0) at West Mesa (1-0). We missed last week on both of these teams. Volcano Vista beat Las Cruces despite being a 12 point underdog. West Mesa a 6.5 underdog also won last week. Both feature a quarterback that shined. Elliott Pasket-Bell (VV) threw for 226-yards last week. Elijah Brody (WM) controlled the offense for the Mustangs in his first contest.

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Post your must-see games to watch this week

NMPreps: Ranking Every 6A - 2A Game in Week 2

NMPreps will rank every game that is taking place this week and what is the must-see contests.

NO. 1 - NO. 48

1. La Cueva vs Cleveland
2. Artesia at Hobbs - Fri
3. Franklin, TX at Centennial - Fri
4. Carlsbad at Goddard - Fri
5. Ruidoso at Portales - Thurs
6. Santa Rosa at Texico - Fri
7. Sandia at Piedra Vista - Fri
8. Volcano Vista at West Mesa - Fri
9. St. Michael's at Capital - Fri
10. Rio Rancho at Eldorado - Sat
11. Robertson at Cobre - Sat
12. Seminole, TX at Lovington - Fri
13. Canyon, TX at Clovis - Fri
14. Cibola at Valley - Fri
15. Jal at Tularosa - Fri
16. Belen at Manzano - Thurs
17. Guymon, OK at Raton - Fri
18. Dexter at West Las Vegas - Thurs
19. Farmington at Durango, CO - Fri
20. Los Lunas at Alamogordo - Fri
21. Mayfield at Santa Teresa - Fri
22. Moriarty at Abq Academy - Sat
23. St. Pius X at Highland - Thurs
24. Los Alamos at Taos - Fri
25. El Paso, TX at Gadsden - Fri
26. Hope Christian at Hatch Valley - Sat
27. Aztec at Montezuma-Cortez, CO - Sat
28. Organ Mountain at Deming - Fri
29. Atrisco Heritage at Rio Grande - Sat
30. Miyamura at Silver - Sat
31. NMMI at McCurdy - Sat
32. Cathedral, TX at Hot Springs - Sat
33. Estancia at Eunice - Fri
34. Bernalillo at Espanola Valley - Fri
35. Chaparral at Fabens, TX - Fri
36. Roswell at Santa Fe - Fri
37. Valencia at Del Norte - Sat
38. Grants at Gallup - Sat
39. Cuba at Zuni - Fri
40. Thoreau at Tucumcari - Fri
41. Mescalero Apache at Hagerman - Fri
42. Artesia-JV at Capitan - Thurs
43. Tohatchi at Escalante - Fri
44. Laguna-Acoma at Newcomb - Fri
45. Pojoaque Valley at Bloomfield - Fri
46. Shiprock at Crownpoint - Sat
47. Socorro at SFIS - Sat
48. Wingate at Navajo Prep - Thurs
49. Loving at Alamogordo-JV - Thurs

Agree or disagree? What would you change?

Week 2 Most Likely to Upset

CENTENNIAL STUNS CLEVELAND, 38-35

The fans voted and the Centennial Hawks are the NMPreps New Mexico team of the week. Centennial traveled to Rio Rancho to take on the Cleveland Storm who entered the season as the second ranked team in the class. The Hawks not only beat the second ranked Storm they ended a 22-game win streak.

What do you have?

Greatest theme song of all time (TV show, intro song for sports channel, etc)

SANTA ROSA LIONS: Best-case scenario (6-4 overall); Worst-case scenario (4-6 overall); NMPreps predictor (6-4 overall).

Final: Our NMPreps predictor isn't necessarily thinking that they win all of the x-mas games listed but we will see a shift in the predictions as each week approaches. Some of the red could turn into x-mas games and some green could shift to x-mas or red. 2A after the top two squads (Jal and Eunice) has open seats at the table.

Related: Best & Worst Case Scenario - All

Poll: Week 1 Team of the Week

New Mexico High School Football Rankings - 4A, 3A, & 2A - Week 2

NMPreps week to week rankings based on how teams do each week. The following rankings are for the week of August 22nd-28th. #nmpreps

4A FOOTBALL


3A FOOTBALL


2A FOOTBALL

New Mexico High School Football Rankings - 5A - Week 2

NMPreps week to week rankings based on how teams do each week. The following rankings are for the week of August 22nd-28th. #nmpreps

New Mexico High School Football Rankings

NMPreps week to week rankings based on how teams do each week. The following rankings are for the week of August 22nd-28th. #nmpreps

6A FOOTBALL

No. 1 La Cueva Bears

The Bears remain as the top ranked team in 6A football after beating the Rio Rancho Rams, 30-7 on the road in week 1.


No. 2 Centennial Hawks

The Hawks make the biggest leap this week as they upset then ranked No. 2 Cleveland Storm on the road last week, 38-35.


No. 3 Cleveland Storm

The Storm fall from second ranked to third after their week 1 loss to the Centennial Hawks, 38-35.


No. 4 Volcano Vista Hawks

The Volcano Vista Hawks enter the week ranked third after beating then ranked fourth ranked Las Cruces 34-17.


No. 5 Los Lunas Tigers

The Tigers thumped county rival Belen, 45-0 on the road last week and will remain at the 5th spot.


No. 6 Cibola Cougars

The Cibola Cougars came out ahead last week against a top ten ranked Eldorado Eagles last week, 39-29.


No. 7 Rio Rancho Rams

The Rams fall to the seventh spot after a few changes at the top slots in the rankings. They dropped their game to La Cueva, 30-7.


No. 8 Las Cruces Bulldawgs

The Bulldawgs dropped their opener on the road in Albuquerque against the Volcano Vista Hawks.


No. 9 Sandia Matadors

The Matadors moved along to a 59-39 shootout win over Atrisco Heritage last week.


No. 10 Hobbs Eagles

The Hobbs Eagles beat visiting Clovis last week, 46-7, and move up a spot in the rankings.


No. 11 Eldorado Eagles

The Eldorado Eagles dropped their opening game and fall one spot to the 11th ranked team in 6A football.


No. 12 Carlsbad Cavemen

The Cavemen did fall last week 30-27 on the road to Artesia but stay put at No. 12 this week.



No. 13 Capital Jaguars

The Jaguars have a long way to go but have moved into the 13th spot after beating visiting Grants, 57-6.


No. 14 West Mesa Mustangs

The Mustangs have improved the most from the spring, week 1, and now week 2 rankings jumping to No. 14 after beating Santa Fe 56-12.


No. 15 Albuquerque Bulldogs

The Bulldogs won last week 22-20 on the road in Las Cruces against the Organ Mountain Knights.



No. 16 Clovis Wildcats

The Wildcats fall three spots this week after dropping their contest on the road to Hobbs 46-7.


No. 17 Alamogordo Tigers

The Alamogordo Tigers won in convincing fashion, as they should have, on the road at Valencia 41-0.


No. 18 Atrisco Heritage Jaguars

Perhaps the biggest surprise this week is the Jaguars moving up. They go from the 21st spot to the 17th spot despite losing their opener.


No. 19 Farmington Scorpions

The Scorpions dropped four spots to 18 after surrendering to crosstown rival Piedra Vista, 41-18.


No. 20 Santa Fe Demons

The Demons fell on the road last week in Albuquerque against the West Mesa Mustangs, 56-12.


No. 21 Organ Mountain Knights

The Knights dropped their opener at home against the Albuquerque High Bulldogs putting them at the 21st spot this week.

Pay money and no cruces game imagine that