(formerly North-South)

Who will be the top-four this week? Next week projections too?

Post here

Top New Mexico HS Basketball Players from the 2024 Class

NMPreps top player rankings for the 2024 class in New Mexico high school basketball. #nmpreps


Note: Stay with NMPreps.com as we continue to release names to each of the Top Prospect List for the 2021/2022 season. This list will continue to grow through the off-season. Nominate or share insight to grinejosh@yahoo.com or 505-414-4313.

NMPreps250: Top 250 Players During the 2021 Season

NMPreps list of the top players in New Mexico high school football for the 2021 season. New Mexicans highlighting New Mexicans! #nmpreps

TOP 250 - SENIORS

Aldo Argott, Hobbs HS (2022/LB)
Brandon Cabaniss, La Cueva HS (2022/RB)
Braden Castillo, Los Lunas HS (2022/OL)
Brandon Furbee, Farmington HS (2022/QB)
Brody Jaquez, Belen HS (2022/DE-TE)
Cade Collins, Artesia HS (2022/WR)
Cameron Sowards, Mayfield HS (2022/WR)
Calvin Cox, Mayfield HS (2022/RB)
Carlos Archuleta, Rio Rancho HS (2022/LB)
Carson Funchess, St. Pius X (2022/LB)
Cayden Rodriguez, West Las Vegas HS (2022/RB-LB)
Cesar Granados, Mayfield HS (2022/QB)
Charles Sanchez, Cleveland HS (2022/OL)
Christian Mascorro, Floyd HS (2022/RB)
Colton Graham, Hobbs HS (2022/QB)
Conagher Pierce, Eunice HS (2022/QB)
Colt Mangino, La Cueva HS (2022/FS)
Curtis Ortiz, St. Pius X (2022/DE)
Dallas Boyd, Las Cruces (2022/QB)
Dalton Speis, Sandia HS (2022/WR)
Damien Gallegos, West Las Vegas HS (2022/RB)
Deven Dyer, La Cueva HS (2022/DE)
Devin Rice, Rio Rancho HS (2022/WR)
Diego Nunez, Goddard HS (2022/FS)
Dominic Esparza, St. Pius X (2022/WR)
Dominic Gomez, St. Pius X (2022/LB)
Dominick Priddy, Rio Rancho HS (2022/QB)
Dylan Lee, La Cueva HS (2022/DE)
Dylan Ross, Roswell HS (2022/DE-WR)
Dylan Quartiero, Raton HS (2022/QB)
Edgar Cuevas, La Cueva HS (2022/OL)
Emilio Mora, Los Lunas HS (2022/WR)
Fabiano Valdez, Rio Rancho HS (2022/DL)
Gavyn Fredrickson, Los Lunas HS (2022/SS)
Griffin Hooker, Ruidoso HS (2022/QB)
Hunter Haemaker, La Cueva HS (2022/LB)
Ian Lopez, Centennial HS (2022/QB)
Jacob Miranda, Sandia HS (2022/WR)
Jaden Fischer, Eldorado HS (2022/LB)
Jalen Mascareno, Carlsbad HS (2022/QB)
Jake Barrera, Artesia HS (2022/RB)
Jayden Brown, Manzano HS (2022/OL)
Jesse Rodriguez, Carlsbad HS (2022/RB)
Joaquin Medina, St. Pius X (2022/LB)
Joaquin Sanchez, West Las Vegas HS (2022/OL-DL)
Jordan Chism, Hobbs HS (2022/FS)
Jose Montoya, Mayfield HS (2022/RB)
Josh Gerardo, Volcano Vista HS (2022/QB)
Josh Gonzales, West Las Vegas HS (2022/WR-CB)
Karlos Cieremans, Los Lunas HS (2022/RB)
Keith Franz, Mayfield HS (2022/OL)
Kevin Orona, Mayfield HS (2022/DB)
Luc Jaramillo, Santa Fe HS (2022/QB)
Lucas Lucero, Rio Rancho HS (2022/FS)
Marco Ybarra, St. Pius X (2022/RB)
Matt Franco, Las Cruces HS (2022/OL)
Maverick Contreras, Lordsburg HS (2022/QB)
Max Villarreal, Texico HS (2022/RB)
Nathan Taylor, Artesia HS (2022/QB)
Nathan Hontanosas, Rio Rancho HS (2022/OL-DL)
Noah Reese, Goddard HS (2022/QB)
Pablo Zaragoza, Goddard HS (2022/OL)
Richard Arreola, Roswell HS (2022/QB)
Ricky Ramirez, Texico HS (2022/QB)
Thomas Riley, Artesia HS (2022/DB)
Tristan Tabaha, Cibola HS (2022/DE)
Tyler Martinez, Volcano Vista HS (2022/LB)
Zach Thomas, Kirtland Central HS (2022/RB)
Zach Vigil, Rio Rancho HS (2022/RB)
Zaden Lopez, Artesia HS (2022/WR)
Zander Doyle, Los Lunas HS (2022/LB)

TOP 250 - JUNIORS

Ace Gonzalez - Robertson HS (2023/LB)
Aidan Armenta, La Cueva HS (2023/QB)
Alejandro Sapien, St. Pius X (2023/QB)
Ashton Aranda, Lovington HS (2023/QB)
Brendan Johnson, Eldorado (2023/DE)
Brent Miller - Hope Christian (2023/DB)
Chris Montoya, Rio Rancho HS (2023/LB)
Christopher Coash, St. Pius X (2023/WR)
Dalton Yeary, Melrose HS (2023/WR)
Devyn Fierro, Artesia HS (2023/SB)
Diego Baeza, Hobbs HS (2023/RB)
Diego Geurra, Mayfield HS (2023/RB)
Ethan Vandlandingham, Hobbs HS (2023/WR)
Exodus Ayers, La Cueva HS (2023/WR)
Gabriel Buie, La Cueva HS (2023/RB)
Gavon Hall - Ruidoso HS (2023/LB)
Hector Salvarrey, Goddard HS (2023/LB)
Isaiah Abeyta, Centennial HS (2023/WR)
Jahvon Askew, Texico HS (2023/WR)
Jaren Bruce, Melrose HS (2023/WR)
Javyn Morales, Goddard HS (2023/RB)
Julian Rodriguez, Artesia HS (2023/WR)
Kaden Trevino, Hobbs HS (2023/WR)
Kenyon Singleton, Hobbs HS (2023/LB)
Layton Gillis, Hatch Valley HS (2023/RB-DB)
Malachi Thymes, Sandia HS (2023/RB)
Miguel Andrade, Los Lunas HS (2023/LB)
Mikah Gutierrez, Centennial HS (2023/RB)
Mikey Wood, Rio Rancho HS (2023/WR)
Nathan Lara, Centennial HS (2023/RB)
Nicholas Torres, Los Lunas HS (2023/FS)
Paul Cieremans, Los Lunas HS (2023/QB)
Payton Deans, Artesia HS (2023/RB)
Rylee Jarratt, Artesia HS (2023/DE-TE)
Sebastian Mendoza, Roswell HS (2023/WR-CB)
Traiven Williams II, Rio Rancho HS (2023/WR)

TOP 250 - SOPHOMORES

Andres Aguirre, Albuquerque HS (2024/RB-FS)
Andrew Evans, Centennial HS (2024/DB)
Brody Whitaker, Abq. Academy (2024/DE)
Bryce Sanchez, Roswell HS (2024/RB)
Cade Figg, Texico HS (2024/QB-LB)
Chuka Tutman, Cleveland HS (2024/RB)
Eli Lynn, Roswell HS (2024/TE-DE)
Elijah Brody, Cleveland HS (2024/QB)
Fabian Trujillo, Los Lunas HS (2024/WR)
Isaac Medrano, Cleveland HS (2024/RB)
Jackson Hix, La Cueva HS (2024/WR-FS)
Jacob Baca, Hope Christian (2024/OL/DL)
Jon Silva, Goddard HS (2024/FS-LB-RB)
Josh Estrada, Roswell HS (2024/WR)
Marcus Wilson, Cibola HS (2024/WR-CB-FS)
Michael Cardonita, Melrose HS (2024/QB)
Peyton Greathouse, Artesia HS (2024/WR-K)
Stratton Shufelt, Cleveland HS (2024/OLB)

TOP 250 - FRESHMEN

CJ Perea, West Las Vegas HS (2025/QB)
Jalin Holland, Los Lunas HS (2025/WR)
Jesse Gonzalez, Robertson HS (2025/RB)
Ondalis, Lovington HS (2025/RB)
Manny Chavez, Portales HS (2025/LB)
Mason Posa, La Cueva HS (2025/LB)

Top Players at Each Position in 2021

NMPreps week one New Mexico high school basketball team rankings. #nmpreps

5A BASKETBALL
1. Volcano Vista (0-0)
2. Hobbs (1-0): W, over Montwood (TX), 60-22.
3. La Cueva (0-0)
4. Mayfield (0-0)
5. Centennial (1-0): W, Los Lunas (53-29)
6. Farmington (1-0): W, Gallup (57-46)
7. Piedra Vista (0-0)
8. Eldorado (0-0)
9. Las Cruces (1-0): W, Los Lunas (50-32)
10. Sandia (0-0)
11. Organ Mountain (2-0): W, Carlsbad (38-37), Franklin, TX (48-46)
12. Carlsbad (1-2): W, Alamogordo (52-28); L, Organ Mountain (38-37), Pebble Hills, TX (63-48)
13. Cleveland (1-0): W, Clovis (55-45)
14. Clovis (1-1): W, Valencia (47-34); L, Cleveland (55-45)
15. Albuquerque (0-0)
16. Cibola (0-0)
17. Alamogordo (1-1): W, Ruidoso (54-30); L, Carlsbad (52-28)
18. Los Lunas (0-2): L, to Las Cruces (50-32) & Centennial (53-29)
19. Capital (0-0)
20. West Mesa (0-0)
21. Santa Fe (0-0)
22. Rio Rancho (0-0)
23. Roswell (0-0)
24. Manzano (0-0)
25. Gadsden (2-0): W, Goddard (52-48), Santa Teresa (38-19)
26. Atrisco Heritage (0-0)
27. Deming (0-1): L, Chaparral (60-48)
28. Rio Grande (0-0)

Movement: Carlsbad, Los Lunas, and Deming dropped.

4A BASKETBALL
1. Gallup (1-1): W, at Valencia (61-40); L, vs Farmington (57-46)
2. Portales (0-0)
3. Kirtland Central (0-0)
4. Highland (0-0)
5. Bernalillo (1-0): W, vs Moriarty (70-45)
6. Espanola Valley (0-1): L, vs Santa Fe Indian (68-41)
7. Hope Christian (0-0)
8. St. Pius X (0-0)
9. Taos (2-0): W, at West Las Vegas (57-49), at Shiprock (43-23)
10. Goddard (0-1): L, at Gadsden (52-48)
11. Valencia (0-2): L, vs Gallup (61-40), at Clovis (47-34)
12. Moriarty (0-1): L, at Bernalillo (70-45)
13. Artesia (1-1): W, vs Santa Teresa (44-19); L, at Pebble Hills, TX (75-25).
14. Bloomfield (0-0)
15. Valley (0-0)
16. Silver (0-0)
17. Del Norte (0-0)
18. Pojoaque Valley (0-0)
19. Miyamura (0-1): L, at Window Rock, AZ (59-51)
20. Lovington (0-0)
21. Albuquerque Academy (0-0)
22. Grants (0-1): L, at Tohatchi (53-42)
23. Belen (0-0)
24. Shiprock (0-1): L, vs Taos (43-23)
25. Chaparral (1-0): W, vs Deming (60-48)
26. Los Alamos (1-0): W, St. Michael's (37-26)
27. Aztec (0-1): L, at Tohatchi (43-33)
28. Santa Teresa (0-2): L, Gadsden (38-19), Artesia (44-19)
29. Ruidoso (0-1): L, at Alamogordo (54-30)

5A Review: What to Expect in 2022

Today, we look at the 2021 season and give some early looks at 2022 season. #nmpreps

5A FOOTBALL - 2021 Preseason (Finished)
1. Farmington (11-1 overall; 1-seed; Semifinals)
2. Goddard (7-5 overall; 6-seed; Semifinals)
3. Los Lunas (13-0 overall; 2-seed; State Champion)
4. Artesia (9-4 overall; 4-seed; State Runner Up)
5. Roswell (5-6 overall; 3-seed; Quarterfinals)
6. Mayfield (7-5 overall; 5-seed; Quarterfinals)
7. Deming (5-6 overall; 10-seed; 1st Round)
8. Piedra Vista (6-5 overall; 8-seed; 1st Round)
9. Alamogordo (2-8 overall; Missed the Playoffs)
10. Del Norte (1-8 overall; Missed the Playoffs)
11. Valley (4-7 overall; 11-seed; 1st Round)
12. Belen (7-4 overall; 7-seed; Quarterfinals)
13. Santa Teresa (9-3 overall; 8-seed; Quarterfinals)
14. Highland (3-8 overall; Missed the Playoffs)
15. Capital (4-6 overall; Missed the Playoffs)
16. Miyamura (2-7 overall; Missed the Playoffs)
17. Los Alamos (5-6 overall; 12-seed; 1st Round)
18. Chaparral (0-10 overall; Missed the Playoffs)

What we did right: Farmington was the 1-seed although they fell in the semifinals. We did go 4 for 4 on the four teams making the semifinals. For the most part our top-8 was within the 2/3 range of their final spot.

We we did wrong: Alamogordo, Del Norte, Belen, and Los Alamos. Okay, so we did do so hot in 5A. Alamogordo and Del Norte dropped far out and missed the playoffs. Belen and Los Alamos improved from their projection and a huge turnaround from the previous season.

New Champ in Town: With Los Lunas potentially moving up to 6A we are likely to have a new champion in 5A football for the 2022 season. Who are the likely contenders? Artesia should return in the top four although they will graduate a core group from this season. Roswell is going to be good and returns some of the top talent from this season. Goddard will need to replace, Farmington (if they stay in 5A) should be okay with a solid number 2 QB from this season.

Early 2022 Rankings: We will release when the December 2nd alignment comes out.

Top Offensive Stat Leaders Returning in 2022: QBs - Caeden Jojola (2023/QB) of Valley was fifth in passing in 5A football with 994-yards and 12-touchdowns. Trel Griego (2024/QB) of Farmington will likely move into QB one next season. RBs - Teke Nieto (2023/Los Alamos) rushed for 637-yards in 2021. Diego Avila (2024/Belen) rushed for 584-yards last season. WRs - Javier Martinez (2023/Capital) with 463-yards and 5-touchdowns, Peyton Greathouse (2024/Artesia) had 335-yards and 5-touchdowns.

Top Defensive Stat Leaders Returning in 2022: Teke Nieto (2023/Los Alamos) returns after having 98-total tackles. Ricky Henderson (2023/Valley) returns with 73-total tackles. Bobby Orona (2023/Belen) had 5-sacks last season. Rylee Jarratt (2023/Artesia) had 3-sacks last season. Jesse Vasquez (2023/Belen) with 4-interceptions last season. Ezakiel Ramos (2024/Valley) with 3-INTs last season.

Alignment Talk: There will be changes this coming season, not major ones, but the landscape could appear different. Two things that could work that won't be on the alignment - 2 Regions, instead of Districts. A North vs South 18-teams, 9 teams in each region. Top-four from each region would make the playoffs with a potential ninth team as a play-in team. Or six, three team districts. DC is an automatic bid and the other 3/4 are at large bids. What should happen - with only 18-teams it is likely that we should only have 9 or 10 teams making the playoffs (51%) on the high end.

Awards, Players to Watch in 2022, and More: We will continue the chatter all season until August.

Post your week one reactions here.

6A Review & Look Ahead to the 2022 Season

Today, we take a look back and ahead to the 2022 season and the off-season. #nmpreps

2021 Preseason Rankings - 6A Football
#1 Cleveland (finished #1)
#2 Rio Rancho (finished #2)
#3 Cibola (7-seed; reached the Quarterfinals)
#4 Volcano Vista (6-seed; reached the Quarterfinals)
#5 Clovis (12-seed; reached the 1st Round)
#6 La Cueva (3-seed; reached the semifinals)
#7 Eldorado (9-seed; reached the 1st round)
#8 Las Cruces (5-seed; reached the semifinals)
#9 Carlsbad (11-seed; reached the 1st round)
#10 Centennial (4-seed; reached the Quarterfinals)
#11 Hobbs (9-seed; reached the Quarterfinals)
#12 West Mesa (finished 3-6; missed the playoffs)
#13 Sandia (10-seed; reached the 1st Round)
#14 Santa Fe (finished 6-4; missed the playoffs)
#15 Albuquerque (finished 2-8; missed the playoffs)
#16 Atrisco Heritage (finished 2-7; missed the playoffs)
#17 Organ Mountain (finished 4-6; missed the playoffs)
#18 Manzano (finished 1-8; missed the playoffs)

Missed: Clovis, Centennial, and Cibola. We missed on the following three schools by three spots or more. Clovis may have been the biggest miss as they entered the season preseason ranked 5th (despite graduating some serious talent) and finished 3-7 overall but did find a spot in the 2021 playoffs. Centennial improved, earning the 4-seed and Cibola fell to the 7-seed after finishing fourth in the difficult district 1.

Look Ahead: Cleveland is likely going to enter 2022 where they've been since 2019 - number one. We will also see some new teams in 6A football next season but it shouldn't shake-up the top teams. Rio Rancho has some pieces to fill, La Cueva could be a pick to return to the semifinal and possibly title game, and Cibola, well maybe they were just a year away.

Two Champs, One Class: Los Lunas, the 2021 5A state champions, have been discussed about with a potential move up to 6A based on the growing enrollment. Can they continue their success as they return to the biggest enrollment classification? We should know in a couple weeks on December 2nd.

11 of 12: Well, we did have 11 teams ranked in the top 12 that eventually made the playoffs. Sandia was the odd team out however, they did lose to West Mesa who was our 12th ranked team (Sandia was 13th).

More Alignment Talk: Will Gadsden or Rio Grande return to a classification? I think a lot depends on the alignment of the classifications. I wouldn't be surprised if both decided to use another two years as an independent and could have more join. Should there have only been 16-teams in the top classification? 16 in 5A? with only 8 teams making the playoffs in both? Only have 3-team districts or two regions - a north and a south? So many options but likely we will stay the same with the addition of more teams. What about 18 teams, 9 make the playoffs which includes a 8-9 play-in game? Just fun things to answer.

November 28th, 2021 Final Four Picks for 2022: Cleveland (1), La Cueva (2), Cibola (3), Centennial (4). Sleeper - Carlsbad/Hobbs, Darkhorse - Rio Rancho, Rebound Team - Clovis. Sleeper is a team that could improve from their 2021 seed and challenge for a district title. Darkhorse is a team that graduates a lot, could take a step back, but stays at or near the top. The rebound team is a team that improves drastically from their 2021 spot.

2022 Way-too-early Rankings: We will release these after the new alignments are announced.

Who are your picks?
What will the alignment look like?
Who are your sleepers and dark horse teams?

Post all your reactions to games taking place this week.

Monday, Nov. 22nd
Cliff 42, Hot Springs 33 - F
Gadsden 38, Santa Teresa 19 - F
Organ Mountain 38, Carlsbad 37 - F
Santa Fe Indian 79, Dulce 38 - F

Tuesday, Nov. 23rd
Alamogordo 54, Ruidoso 30 - F
Artesia 44, Santa Teresa 19 - F
Bosque 51, Estancia 46 - F
Cleveland 55, Clovis 45 - F
Gadsden 52, Goddard 48 - F
Gallup 61, Valencia 40 - F
Hobbs 60, Montwood, TX 22 - F
Laguna-Acoma 37, Sandia Prep 34 - F
Las Cruces 50, Los Lunas 32 - F
Los Alamos 37, St. Michael's 26 - F
Organ Mountain 48, Franklin, TX 46 - F
Pebble Hills (TX) 64, Carlsbad 48 - F

Wednesday, Nov. 24th
Taos 57, West Las Vegas 49 - F

Friday, Nov. 26th
Escalante 77, Dulce 33 - F
Pebble Hills (TX) 75, Artesia 25 - F

Saturday, Nov. 27th
Alamogordo (1-0) at Carlsbad (0-2)
Artesia (1-0) at Pebble Hills (TX) (5-2)
Aztec (0-0) at Tohatchi (1-0)
Crownpoint (0-0) at Navajo Pine (0-0)
Farmington (0-0) at Gallup (1-0)
Laguna-Acoma (1-0) at West Las Vegas (1-1)
Los Lunas (0-1) at Centennial (0-0)
Miyamura (0-0) at Window Rock (0-0)
Moriarty (0-0) at Bernalillo (0-0)
Rehoboth Christian (0-0) at Penasco (0-0)
Santa Fe Indian (1-0) at Espanola Valley (0-0)
Valencia (0-1) at Clovis (0-1)


Will add the weekend slate of games on Thursday AM

Post here or text to 505-414-4313 when your district releases them.

Over Artesia 40-28

Beats rival Rio Rancho 35-14

Over St Mike’s.

*****WEEK ONE (NOVEMBER 22ND-27TH)*****

Monday, Nov. 22nd
Palo Duro, Texas 81, Rio Rancho 72 - F

Tuesday, Nov. 23rd
Amarillo, Texas 68, Rio Rancho 39 - F
ATATC 58, McCurdy 39 - F
Belen 47, Sandia Prep 29 - F
Carlsbad 68, Gadsden 36 - F
Chapin, Texas 97, Centennial 43 - F
Estancia 86, Bosque 66 - F
Grants 44, Bloomfield 37 - F
Hobbs 67, Montwood, Texas 24 - F
Magdalena 72, St. Johns, Arizona 36 - F
Santa Fe Indian 59, Dulce 40 - F
Santa Fe Prep 62, Coronado 44- F
Santa Teresa 62, Clint, Texas 42 - F

Wednesday, Nov. 24th
Escalante 73, Coronado 48 - F

Friday, Nov. 26th
Escalante 54, Dulce 48 - F
Farmington 62, Los Lunas 56 - F
Mayfield 73, Roswell 58 - F

Saturday, Nov. 27th
Capital 67, Organ Mountain 58 - F
Carlsbad 62, Alamogordo 22 - F
Coronado 60, Questa 50 - F
Crownpoint 90, Navajo Pine 25 - F
Espanola Valley 56, Santa Fe Indian 28 - F
Permian, Texas 52, Hobbs 50 - F
Piedra Vista 56, Los Lunas 46 - F
Santa Fe 78, Centennial 58 - F
Santa Rosa 65, Penasco 60 - F
Tohatchi 76, Aztec 62 - F
Valencia 48, Kirtland Central 45 - F
West Las Vegas 80, Laguna-Acoma 56 - F
Window Rock, Arizona 52, Miyamura 51 - F

6A State Championship
(1) Cleveland 35 (2) Rio Rancho 21 - F

5A State Championship
(2) Los Lunas vs (4) Artesia, 1pm

4A State Championship
(1) Lovington 41, (6) Ruidoso 21 -F

3A State Championship
(3) Robertson vs (4) St. Michael's, 1pm

Cleveland vs Rio Rancho, +6000 either way
Los Lunas vs Artesia, +5000 either way
Lovington vs Ruidoso, +4000 either way
St. Michael's vs Robertson, +3000 either way

Bonus +1000 if you go 4-0 on picks

What are they?

Preview & Predictions: 5A State Championship

NMPreps guide to the New Mexico high school football state championships. #nmpreps

(2) LOS LUNAS TIGERS vs (4) ARTESIA BULLDOGS

Time/Date:
Where: Los Lunas, New Mexico
Last Matchup: September 29th, 2017 - Artesia won 30-17.
Line: Los Lunas -1
Over/Under: 74

Key Matchup: Paul Cieremans (QB/LLHS) vs Artesia D-Line (Rylee Jarratt, Gage Donaghe, Daniel Ruiz) - Paul Cieremans is a playmaker, one of the best, and is the engine on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers. Artesia defensive line rattled top quarterback Brandon Furbee of Farmington last week and will look to again this week. Cieremans is more mobile and can run the ball.

Scoop: The 2-seed Los Lunas Tigers are looking to extend their 15-game win streak when the face the 4-seed Artesia Bulldogs for the 2021 5A State Championship. The last time the Los Lunas Tigers lost a game was in the 2019 state championship game against the Roswell Coyotes. Artesia Bulldogs are looking for their 31st state championship when they face the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

TIGERS
Record: 12-0 overall, 4-0 district
Points Scored: 468 (39 ppg)
Points Given Up: 100 (8.3 ppg)
Players to Watch: Paul Cieremans (2023/QB), Karlos Cieremans (2022/RB), Fabian Trujillo (2024/WR), Emilo Mora II (2022/WR), Miguel Andrade (2023/LB), Zander Doyle (2022/LB)

BULLDOGS
Record: 9-3 overall, 2-1 district
Points Scored: 447 (37.25 ppg)
Points Given Up: 327 (27.25 ppg)
Players to Watch: Nate Taylor (2022/QB), Jake Barrera (2022/RB), Payton Greathouse (2024/WR), Seth Johnson (2022/LB), Dominic Pacheco (2022/LB), Phillip Finley-Rascon (2022/S)

Prediction: Los Lunas 43, Artesia 42

Post in-game or post game reactions here.

Preview & Predictions: 6A State Championship

NMPreps guide to the New Mexico high school football state championships. #nmpreps

(1) CLEVELAND STORM vs (2) RIO RANCHO RAMS

Time/Date: Saturday, 1pm
Where: Rio Rancho, New Mexico (Lighting Bolt Stadium)
Last Matchup: October 29th, 2021 - Cleveland 28, Rio Rancho 27 - at RRHS
Line: Cleveland -1.5
Over/Under: 81 points
NMPreps Prediction: Cleveland 39, Rio Rancho 37

Scoop: The Cleveland Storm and Rio Rancho Rams will meet for the state championship for the second time. The Storm won the last state championship game 48-40 in 2019 (the last official New Mexico state championship year). Cleveland has three state championships in football for their short 10-year history. Rio Rancho has two state championships - 2014 and 2015.

Key Matchup: Dominick Priddy (QB/RRHS) vs Stratton Shufelt (LB/CHS). Dominick Priddy is a playmaker and we've said that since first seeing him early this season. Shufelt the sophomore sensation has 7 total tackles the first meeting and will again be looking to lead the Storm defense.

STORM
Record: 12-0, 4-0 district
Points Scored: 565
Points Against: 199
Key Players: Evan Wysong (QB/2023); Lucious Dickson (RB/2022); Nick Trujillo (WR/2023); Ethan Duran (WR/2022); Stratton Shufelt (LB/2024); Dominic Vasquez (LB/2022)

RAMS
Record: 9-1 overall, 3-1 district
Points Scored: 479
Points Against: 131
Key Players: Zachary Vigil (2022/RB); Dominick Priddy (2022/QB); Mikey Wood (2022/WR); Devin Rick (2022/WR); Chris Montoya (2023/LB); Lucas Lucero (2022/FS)

Preview & Predictions: 4A State Championship

NMPreps guide to the New Mexico high school football state championships. #nmpreps

(1) LOVINGTON WILDCATS verses (6) RUIDOSO WARRIORS

Time/Date: 1pm, Saturday
Where: Lovington, New Mexico
Last Meeting: Lovington 46, Ruidoso 14 (October 22nd, 2021)

Scoop: The top-seed Lovington Wildcats will play for their first state championship since winning it all in 2011 against St. Michael's (14-10). Ruidoso returns to the state championship after winning it in 2017 over Robertson (48-14). The Ruidoso Warriors also won it in 2014 with a 35-28 win over Cobre.

(1) Lovington Wildcats
Record: 9-3 overall, 3-0 district
Points Scored: 385 (32 average)
Points Given: 258 (21.5 average)
Players to Watch: Ashton Aranda (QB), Ondalis Cardenas (RB), Adam Aguilera (WR), Isaac Hinson (WR) Tayten Hillard (WR), Joseph Perez (LB)

(6) Ruidoso Warriors
Record: 8-5 overall, 2-1 district
Points Scored: 330 (27.5)
Points Given Up: 279 (23.25)
Players to Watch: Griffin Hooker (QB), Bracxton Hall (RB), Griffin Hooker (RB), Mikey Sandoval (WR), Gavon Hall (LB), Cooper Pritchett (LB)

Prediction: Lovington 44, Ruidoso 38

Preview & Predictions: 3A State Championship

NMPreps guide to the New Mexico high school football state championships. #nmpreps

(3) ROBERTSON CARDINALS verses (4) ST. MICHAEL'S HORSEMEN

Time/Date: 1pm, Saturday
Where: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Last Meeting: Robertson 44, St. Michael's 7 (October 22nd, 2021)

Scoop: The Robertson Cardinals have played for four of the last five state championships in 3A football and all without a ring. Will this be the year that they finally finish off their playoff run. The last state championship for the Cardinals comes in 2013 with a 34-7 win over Silver. St. Michael's returns to the state championship for the first time since winning it all in 2012 over Silver, 10-7. That is also the last time a 1-seed won the state championship in 3A. The Horsemen return to the state championship after beating top-seed Raton in the semifinals, 7-0 last weekend. The 3A State Championship will be a battle between long time District 2-3A rivals. The two did meet for the 2007 state championship with St. Michael's coming out ahead, 27-6.

(3) Robertson Cardinals (Las Vegas, NM)
Record: 10-2 overall; 3-1 district
Points Scored: 446 (37.1 average)
Points Given Up: 151 (12.5 average)
Player to Watch: Matthew Gonzales (QB), Jesse James Gonzalez (RB), Mateo Contreras (WR/LB), Ace Gonzalez, (LB), Body Schlinger (DE)

(4) St. Michael's Horsemen (Santa Fe, NM)
Record: 9-3 overall; 2-2 district
Points Scored: 294 (24.5 average)
Points Given Up: 142 (11.8 average)
Players to Watch: Zachary Martinez (QB), Daymon Lujan (RB), Devin Flores (WR), Diego Armendariz (OL), Jordan Bernal (OL)

Prediction: Robertson 26, St. Michael's 20