NMPreps games to watch and reason to check out hoops tonight in New Mexico high school basketball.

Atrisco Heritage (0-0) at Valencia (2-0): The Valencia Jaguars are coming into the contest after a two-game win streak against the northwest corner, beating Farmington (60-54) and Piedra Vista (75-31). The Atrisco Heritage Jaguars are opening their season and the two-time defending state 5A champs. This game gives us top-20 players Joziah Ramos (Atrisco) and Jake Mattox (Valencia); Mattox has played well to open the season averaging 23 points per game to open the season.

Cleveland (0-0) at Albuquerque (0-0): Both schools open the season and both have some hype going into the season. Cleveland returns the normal high expectations behind some talent, although this team will have to replace some really good prospects from last season. Clayton Watson III (2021) is one to watch and one of the top juniors returning this season. Albuquerque High returning from a 9-win season is a team on the rise and Jude Tapia (2020) will be the most talked about guard this season from this district. This one should feature two teams that will play in the PIT this season, bold pick in week 2.

Eldorado (0-0) at Sandia (0-0): Sandia hired Danny Brown this off-season and the former Highland High School head coach hopes to start his new journey with a bang. The bad news is that they only return four players from last season (or a good thing). Little experience but a place you should be able to build. Eldorado will be going through a transition after losing go-to players the last three years but guard Devin Lovato (2021) and Deraje Agbaosi (2020) are bright spots. This one is an early, "who are you this season" type of game.

Belen (1-1) at Valley (0-0): The Valley Vikings are the defending 4A state champs after making a run as the 7-seed last season. More to that is the fact that they return just about all of their go-to players and must-see players Seyi Oyeku (2020) and Derick Chavez (2021). Coleman could be in position to add the third ring. Belen is in the rebuild after winning it all in 2018 and it appears the road could be a longer one.The curiosity in this contest is on the Valley side and how good they will be this season.

Espanola Valley (0-0) at Bernalillo (1-0): This one has some spark to it and could be a game that features future state tournament teams. Bernalillo has to replace their go-to from last season but an 81-47 opening win (over Los Alamos) is a good start. Mos eyes are on Espanola Valley and head coach Gabe Martinez, the first-year coach hired from Northern New Mexico College (served as an assistant). The roster has talent but now we wait to see what is done with it and the hottest seat in New Mexico high school basketball has their next coach. Can he please the Sundevils faithful?

Anyone heard about the NMAA agenda tomorrow? Heard talks of Mayfield getting moved down to 5A. If that's true that's a travesty....

Who do you have and why?

The NMAA is proposing raising the rates for umpires by $5-10 per game to make them equal to what the basketball officials get. They estimate it will increase costs for each school by about $800 per year.

Get your information out early.

It will be interesting to watch how the transfer portal is used this year. As many schools played there last game of the season this past weekend already many players are throwing throwing their names out there.

Anyone have any locked down?

Post Here.

25-19

Any last predictions or statements?

Portales 23 Bloomfield 0 final

Post here

PLAYOFF - WEEK 15 (NOV. 30th)

6A FOOTBALL - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

(3) Cleveland 48, (4) Rio Rancho 40 - FINAL

5A FOOTBALL - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

(1) Roswell 25, (2) Los Lunas 19 - FINAL

4A FOOTBALL - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

(2) Portales 23, (1) Bloomfield 0 - FINAL

3A FOOTBALL - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

(2) Hope Christian 34, (1) Socorro 24 - FINAL

Dorian Lewis - Cleveland over 200 yards rushing

Hope 34

Socorro 24

Final

48-40 great game

To you? Did you get too?

What game?

Saturday:

3A Hope Christian @ Socorro 12500 pts (HC is the upset 20000 pts)

4A Portales @ Bloomfield 15000 pts (Port is the upset 23500 pts)

5A Roswell @ Los Lunas 17500 pts (LL is the upset 27500 pts)

6A Cleveland @ Rio Rancho 22500 pts (RR is the upset 35000 pts)

6A State Championship: #3 Cleveland at #4 Rio Rancho

NMPreps.com's guide to the 2019 6A New Mexico high school football state championship game.

Details
Day: Saturday, November 30th
Time: 1:00PM
Where: Rio Rancho HS (Rio Rancho, NM)
Weather: 37, Sunny

CLEVELAND STORM
Record: 10-2
Head Coach: Heath Ridenour
PF: 463
PA: 221
Road: Quarterfinals (W, Centennial 21-16); Semifinals (W, Clovis 56-43)

Why the Storm: The Cleveland Storm return to the 6A title game after falling last season to La Cueva. This season the Storm football team looks more like a team fighting for one another and although they have some serious weapons the chemistry seems better this time around. It will be the unsung hero players that make a difference this year - Trey Ortega, Luke Wysong, and Trevon Dennard who are all juniors.

Preview: The Storm have the pieces, the coaches, and the tradition. Now can they show up on the final day of the season and finish the job. Look for eyes to be on senior running back Dorian Lewis one last time, the 2018 Gatorade player of the year. They are peaking at the right time this year and could make for a clash as the same could be said about their opponent to the south (of Rio Rancho).

RIO RANCHO RAMS
Record: 8-4
Head Coach: David Howes
PF: 482
PA: 331
Road: Semifinal (W, Volcano Vista 48-30); Quarterfinal (W, Las Cruces 35-0)

Why the Rams: The Rams have been on an incline all season long, even during the rough or tough part of their schedule. After their 0-2 start the Rams went 6 straight games with a win, over some playoff teams. Why the Rams? Quarterback Isaiah Chavez has been phenomenal this season and a sure thing finalist for the New Mexico Mr. Football Award.

Preview: The Rams have played one of the toughest schedules in New Mexico this season with the top teams from New Mexico along with a strong program from Colorado along the way. This year, at 8-4, the Rams could be one of the more dangerous teams at this time of year

NMPreps by the Numbers
Prediction: Cleveland 35, Rio Rancho 34
Grine Line: Cleveland -1.5
Over/Under: 75

5A State Championship: #1 Roswell at #2 Los Lunas

NMPreps.com's guide to the 2019 5A New Mexico high school football state championship game.

Details
Day: Saturday, November 30th
Time: 2:00PM
Where: Los Lunas High School (Los Lunas, New Mexico)
Weather: High 40/Low 20, Mix of clouds and sun

ROSWELL COYOTES
Record: 12-0
Head Coach: Jeff Lynn
PF: 591
PA: 231
Road: Semifinals (W, Deming 49-21); Quarterfinals (W, Alamogordo 48-17)

Why: Senior running back Jasia Reese is one of the best when it comes to the conversation of top running back in New Mexico. The Coyotes are dynamic though and have options when it needs a big play.

Preview: Roswell has yet to lose a game in the last 17 tries, 12-0 this season. They have also owned the number one ranking since week one of the season (August 19th) and have played the part. They are scoring near to 50 points per game, while playing a difficult schedule, in the toughest district in the classification.

LOS LUNAS TIGERS
Record: 10-2
Head Coach: Jeremy Maupin
PF: 466
PA: 171
Road: Semifinals (W, Goddard 35-14); Quarterfinals (W, Artesia 58-21)

Why: Can the Tigers make it three for three against the SE district in the 2019 playoffs? They have shown offensively to be clicking in the right way, something they struggled with last time these two met for the state championship - 2018 Roswell won. Senior quarterback Kade Benavidez has tossed for 2,171 yards this season but it could be the x-factors leading the way with the likes of next level players Bryce Santana (2020) and Tyler Kiehne anchoring the defense.

Preview: The Tigers have weapons, they continue to develop them the right way in Los Lunas, and they is an expected 10,000 people attending with over-flow. They have reached the final game a pair of times this decade and haven't been able to win on the final day. Will that day be today?

NMPreps Numbers
Prediction: Roswell 44, Los Lunas 38
Grine Line: Roswell -6.5
Over/Under: 81

4A State Championship: #1 Bloomfield vs #2 Portales
J Grine

NMPreps.com's guide to the 2019 3A New Mexico high school football state championship game.

NO. 1 BLOOMFIELD BOBCATS (12-0) VS NO. 2 PORTALES RAMS (11-1)

Day: Saturday, November 30th
Time: 1:00PM
Where: Bloomfield High School (Bloomfield, New Mexico)
Weather: 37 Partly sunny, sunny, cold

BOBCATS
Record: 12-0
Head Coach: Bob Allcorn
PF: 582 (48.5)
PA: 186 (15.5)
Road: Semifinals (W, over Grants 48-41); Quarterfinals (W, over Ruidoso 47-27).

Offense: Senior quarterback Vincent Marquez has put up big numbers this season with 3,387-yards and 44-touchdown passes. After his lowest passing yards of the season with 182-yards in the semifinals and 3-INTs he will look to come out and prove this time around in the state championship, after losing last season, that they are here to take it all. Difference maker Kenyon Mosley (2020) has rushed for over 1,056-yards on the season and his career best 183-yards rushing and 3 touchdowns against Grants in the semifinals.

Defense: JT Seitzinger (2020) and Emilio Candelaria (2021), the Bobcats duo, along with two-way player Mosley, look to contain the Portales Rams. The three of the Bobcats have over 200 total tackles and Mosley bringing 12.5 sacks on the season.

Preview: The Bobcats made a run last season, upsetting the top seed, to play in the state championship. This season they are the 1-seed and looking to extend their 12-0 perfect record. Teams with perfect records in the state championship in the last three years is 10-5 (all classifications) - last season undefeated teams went 3-1 (the lone loss came in the 6A game with both teams being undefeated going into the title game).

RAMS
Record: 11-1
Head Coach: Jaime Ramirez
PF: 388 (32.3)
PA: 154 (12.8)
Road: Semifinals (W, Lovington 26-7); Quarterfinals (W, Silver 33-7)

Offense: Senior running back Romeo Gbassagee has an average of 10.5 yards per carry (114.5 per game) for 1,260 yards this season. Add in 18 rushing touchdowns for the two-way star and the Rams are hoping to bring pressure to the Bobcats who struggled some against the run against a top back last week.

Defense: The most talented defense in 4A football will be on display come this Saturday. Isiah Saiz (2020), Philip Blidi (2020), and Romeo Gbassagee (2020) lead the way but the depth on the Rams defense is the real deal. This defense has also a high mark 28-total sacks on the years against a tough schedule.

Preview: The Rams entered the season as the favorite and continue to be the favorite to win it all. This could be one of the most talented teams in the classification with a handful of next level talent. The lone loss came against Goddard which was ranked 3rd in 5A football this season so they will be battled tested.

NMPreps Numbers
Prediction: Portales 38, Bobcats 30
Line: Portales -8.5
Over/Under: 68

If New Mexico high school football had one. What are some titles?