Clovis 37, La Cueva 17 - F

Grants 56
Kirtland Central 13-

Deming upsets Farmington on the road, 16-14

What did you learn during the quarterfinals?

New Mexico Mr. Football
6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A Player of the Year
Senior of the Year
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Coach of the Year
All-New Mexico Teams (2020,2021,2022,2023)
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Can also email them in to grinejosh@yahoo.com

What do you have this week?

Quarterfinals:Most Intriguing Score from Friday Night

Melrose 56-44 Final
Announcer said it was Melrose's 13th football championship per PBJ

Tatum @ Melrose 1950 pts either way
Tularosa @ Dexter 2000 pts either way
Las Cruces @ Rio Rancho 2050 pts either way
La Cueva @ Clovis 2150 pts either way
Artesia @ Los Lunas 1925 pts (Art is the upset 2050 pts)
Ruidoso @ Bloomfield 1950 pts (Ruid is the upset 2100 pts)
Aztec @ Lovington 1975 pts either way
Deming @ Farmington 1900 pts (Dem is the upset 2050 pts)
Centennial @ Cleveland 1950 pts (Cent is the upset 2100 pts)
Ft Sumner @ Eunice 1950 pts (Ft Sum is the upset 2075 pts)

#1 ROSWELL vs #9 ALAMOGORDO

Details: Friday, 7pm (Wool Bowl in Roswell, NM)
Records: Roswell (10-0); Alamogordo (4-6)
Points Per Game: Roswell (49.9); Alamogordo (23.2)
Streaks: Roswell 15W; Alamogordo 2W
Last Meeting: Roswell 55, Alamogordo 24 (October 25th, 2019)
Roswell Players to Watch: Dominic Nava (QB/2020); Jasia Reese (ATH/2020); Joel Sanchez (2020/WR)
Alamogordo Players to Watch: Sean Hays (RB/2021), Ryan Villescas (QB/2021), Max Merrell (TE/2020)

NMPreps Score Predictor: Roswell 50, Alamogordo 20
Grine Line: Roswell -24
Over/Under: 72

NMPreps Takes; The district opponents are set to square off again this weekend and the results are likely to look similar to the first go-around. Alamogordo is one of the hottest teams of the last couple weeks and head coach AJ Cisco is in the running for Coach of the Year. Roswell. Well, Roswell is just one of those teams that won't be stopped this season - too much depth, weapons, and on a roll that is likely not stopping any time soon. I take the line and the over. Grine Pick: Roswell

#2 LOS LUNAS TIGERS vs #10 ARTESIA BULLDOGS

Details: Saturday, 1pm (Los Lunas H.S)
Records: Los Lunas (8-2); Artesia (6-5)
Points Per Game: Los Lunas (37.3); Artesia (46.6)
Streaks: Los Lunas 6W; Artesia 1W
Last Meeting: Artesia 30, Los Lunas 27 (Sept. 29th, 2017)
LL Players to Watch: Bryce Santana (2020); Tyler Kiehne (2021); Kade Benavidez (2020)
AHS Players to Watch: Clay Houghtaling (2020); Braxton McDonald (2021); Wesley Knowlton (2020)

NMPreps Score Predictor: Los Lunas 38, Artesia 35
Grine Line: Los Lunas -3.5
Over/Under: 73

NMPreps Takes: The Los Lunas Tigers are off to another solid season and looking to return to the state championship, they lost in the SC last season. The Tigers have a sound group on defense that should contain the high profile quarterback from Artesia in Clay Houghtaling, who has tossed for over 3,300 yards this season. The Los Lunas Tigers look to their own QB-WR duo in Benavidez and Andrue Garcia. Grine Pick: Los Lunas

#3 GODDARD ROCKETS vs #6 PIEDRA VISTA PANTHERS

Details: Saturday, 1pm (Wool Bowl in Roswell, NM)
Records: Goddard (8-2); Piedra Vista (8-3)
Points Per Game: Goddard (34.6); Piedra Vista (32.3)
Last Meeting: Piedra Vista 30, Goddard 7 (Sept. 1st, 2017)
GHS Players to Watch: Robert Aragon (2020); Hunter Beene (2020); Rion Lee (2020)
PV Players to Watch: Jarrod Mitchell (2021); Cameron Swarts (2020); Garret Howell (2020)

NMPreps Score Predictor: Goddard 33, Piedra Vista 27
Grine Line: Goddard -5.5
Over/Under: 51

NMPreps Take: Quietly, the 'best' match-up in the quarterfinals for the 5A state playoffs. That opinion is because this could be a contest that is evenly matched but the Piedra Vista Panthers will need stop the several weapons that the Rockets have and also trying to find holes against a stout DL for Goddard could become an issue. Grine Pick: Goddard

#4 FARMINGTON SCORPIONS vs #5 DEMING WILDCATS

Details: Saturday, 1pm (Hutchinson Stadium in Farmington)
Records: Farmington (9-1); Deming (9-2)
Points Per Game: Farmington (44.7); Deming (24)
Last Meeting: Deming 38, Farmington 28 (November 10th, 2018)
FHS Players to Watch: Caleb Carrillo (2021); Thomas Montoya (2020); Chance Carrillo (2022)
DHS Players to Watch: Jesse Varela (2020); Ceazer Chavez (2020);

NMPreps Score Predictor: Farmington 40, Deming 27
Grine Line: Farmington -13.5
Over/Under: 66

NMPreps Take: The two teams met last season in the opening round of state with Deming taking the win at home. Farmington hopes to return the favor this season at the Hutch in Farmington. The Carrillo connection in Farmington is the real deal and one to watch this post season and next. Deming has two of the best, least talked about, prospects in 5A this season in Varela and Chavez. Pass for Run. Clock management. Grine Pick: Farmington

6A Quarterfinal: #2 Clovis vs #7 La Cueva
Location: Leon Williams Stadium (Clovis, NM)
Date: Friday
Time: 7:00pm

NO. 2 CLOVIS WILDCATS
Record: 7-3 overall
Head Coach: Cal Fullerton
Bid: Automatic, District Champions
Streak: 4W
PF: 388 (38.8 ppg)
PA: 241 (24.1 ppg)

Scoop: They're back. The Clovis Wildcats football program is sitting in a position to return to the top of a very good classification of football. The Wildcats have continued to be on the rise under head coach Fullerton and winning the district over defending champion La Cueva was a huge step forward. The Cats will have to make believers again with a re-match with their district mate. The Cats are hoping to do so behind the offense weapons of Chance Harris (2021), who has passed for 1,875 yards and 20 touchdowns on the season. The newcomer of the year front runner could be in the hands of Jeston Webskowski, the junior running back that has rushed for 1,243 yards and 20 touchdowns on the year. Ethan Culiver (2020), Ernesto Acuna (2021), Malik Phillips (2020), and Jaden Phillips anchor a strong defensive unit for the Wildcats this season. Culiver leads the way in total tackles (69) and Jaden Phillips leads the team with 4-sacks on the year.

NO. 7 LA CUEVA BEARS
Record: 8-3 overall
Head Coach: Brandon Back
Bid: At-Large, District Runner Up
Streak: 1W
PF: 391 (35.5 ppg)
PA: 183 (16.6 ppg)

Scoop: The La Cueva Bears have reached the last two state championship games, winning it all in 2018, and now find themselves looking at a re-match against the Clovis Wildcats after suffering a loss to them 15-days ago. The Bears have experienced some injuries this season but have also had to fill voids for a quality two graduating classes. Our players to watch in this contest takes us to another player on our newcomer of the year watch with Brad Thomas (2021) having 1,184 receiving yards (12 touchdowns) this season. Also, we should mention that first-year starter at quarterback Austin Smith has led the way with nearly 3,000 yards passing and 29 touchdown passes. The defense for the Bears has been a bright spot, only allowing 16 points per game, and holding teams to under their average, is led by senior Noah Woisin. Woisin has 87 total tackles (8 TFL) and two sacks.

NMPreps Score Predictor: Clovis 30, La Cueva 27
NMPreps Grine Line: Clovis -3.5
Over/Under: 56

What games are you at this week?

Who is the number one ranked team in 3A?

What do you have?

Updated Brackets: Click Here

6A FOOTBALL

#1 Volcano Vista
#2 Clovis
#3 Cleveland
#4 Rio Rancho
#5 Las Cruces
#6 Centennial
#7 La Cueva
#8 Mayfield
#9 Carlsbad
#10 Eldorado
#11 Cibola
#12 Sandia

5A FOOTBALL

1. Roswell
2. Los Lunas
3. Goddard
4. Farmington
5 Deming
6. Piedra Vista
7. Capital
8. Santa Teresa
9. Alamogordo
10. Artesia
11. Highland
12. Belen

4A FOOTBALL

#1 Bloomfield
#2 Portales
#3 Lovington
#4 Grants
#5 Kirtland Central
#6 Aztec
#7 Taos
#8 Ruidoso
#9 St. Pius X
#10 Silver
#11 Bernalillo
#12 Moriarty

3A FOOTBALL

#1 Socorro
#2 Hope Christian
#3 Robertson
#4 Dexter
#5 Tularosa
#6 West Las Vegas
#7 NMMI
#8 Raton
#9 St. Mikes
#10 Cobre
#11 Hot Springs
#12 Zuni

2A FOOTBALL

This weeks playoff schedule has some huge trips along with some huge miles. After last weeks lower than normal playoff travel..THE MILES are back this week. All trips round trip and in some cases motel required..its the NMAA's money lol

List expanded to 12 because of the teams that all have further than 400 miles.

12 La Cueva at Clovis 444 miles
11. @Hope vs Cobre 454 miles
10. Mayfield at Volcano Vista 460 miles
9. Centennial at Cleveland 476 miles
8. @Rio Rancho vs Las Cruces 476 miles
7. Artesia at Los Lunas 540 miles
6. Raton ay Socorro 610 miles
5. Ruidoso at Bloomfield 700 miles
4.. Piedra Vista at Goddard 756 miles NW to SE
3..Silver at Portales 782 miles west to east
2. Deming at Farmington 818 miles border to border
1. Aztec at Lovington 940 miles corner to corner

Valencia High School Abraham Ramirez has committed and will be signing with Otero Junior College

Not a lot of competitive games this week but here are some that may be interesting...

Thursday

North Carolina @ Pittsburg - 6:00pm, ESPN

Friday

Louisiana Tech @ Marshall - 5:00pm, CBSSN

Fresno State @ San Diego State - 7:30pm, ESPN2

Saturday

TCU @ Texas Tech - 10:00am, ESPN2

Tulane @ Temple - 10:00am, ESPNU

Michigan State @ #15 Michigan - 10:00am, FOX

#11 Florida @ Missouri - 10:00am, CBS

#23 Navy @ #16 Notre Dame - 12:30pm, NBC

#19 Texas @ Iowa State - 1:30pm, FS1

#4 Georgia @ #12 Auburn - 1:30pm, CBS

Wake Forest @ #3 Clemson - 1:30pm, ABC

#8 Minnesota @ #20 Iowa - 2:00pm, FOX

#10 Oklahoma @ #13 Baylor - 5:30pm, ABC

USC @ California - 9:00pm, FS1

6A Quarterfinals: #3 Cleveland vs #6 Centennial
Location: Cleveland High School (Rio Rancho, NM)
Date: Friday
Time: 7PM

NO. 3 CLEVELAND STORM
Record: 8-2
Head Coach: Heath Ridenour
Bid: At-Large, District Runner Up
Home Record: 5-0
Streak: 2W
PF: 386 (38.6 ppg)
PA: 162 (16.2 ppg)

Scoop: The Cleveland Storm entered the 2019 season as the preseason favorite to win the state championship after reaching the final game in 2018. The Storm feature one of the top running backs in the state of New Mexico in Dorian Lewis (2020), he's rushed for 1,038-yards and 17 touchdowns entering the post season. The Storm are not a one weapon squad as they bring juniors Jeff Davison (QB), Luke Wysong (WR), Trevon Dennard (WR) and Trey Ortega (ATH) into the mix. Wysong, Dennard, and Ortega have become the unsung heroes for this years team and a difference maker heading into the 2019 post season run.

NO. 6 CENTENNIAL HAWKS
Record: 10-1
Head Coach: Aaron Ocampo
Bid: At-Large, District Runner Up
Away Record: 5-0
Streak: 4W
PF: 476 (43.2 ppg)
PA: 136 (12.3 ppg)

Scoop: The one loss Centennial Hawks return to the City of Vision (Rio Rancho) with hopes of another epic night; on opening night they upset Rio Rancho, 54-53 in overtime. The Hawks led behind the play of senior quarterback Aidan Trujillo who has 1,732 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns along with rushing for another 646 yards with 12 rushing TDs. Also, keep an eye on RB Gabriel Acosta, who has quietly rushed to 909 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hawks this season. Holding down the defense you look to Jordan Mendoza who has 43 total tackles and 6 sacks on the season. Gabriel Nino also producing numbers this season with a team high 6.5 sacks.

NMPreps Score Predictor: Cleveland 44, Centennial 43
NMPreps Grine Line: Cleveland -1
Over/Under: 75

6A Quarterfinals: #4 Rio Rancho vs #5 Las Cruces
Location: Rio Rancho High School (Rio Rancho, NM)
Date: Friday
Time: 7PM

NO. 4 RIO RANCHO RAMS
Record: 6-4
Head Coach: David Howes
Bid: At-Large, District Third Place
Home Record: 3-2
Streak: 1L
PF: 399 (39.9 ppg)
PA: 301 (30.1 ppg)

Why the Rams: After a 0-2 start the Rams were being questioned as a playoff team. They reeled off six straight wins, including wins over 2-seed Clovis, 7-seed La Cueva and current quarterfinal opponent 5-Las Cruces. The first meeting between the Rams and Bulldawgs took place in Las Cruces and the Rams came out on top 26-21. Rio Rancho features top quarterback Isaiah Chavez (2020) a 6-foot-1 senior that has passed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns this season along with rushing for another 964 yards. Chavez passed for 200 yards, 3 touchdowns during the first meeting. Also, keep an eye on rising running back Zach Vigil (2022) who has 844 and 14 rushing touchdowns this season. Jeremiah Esquibel (2020) leads the charge on defense with a team high 82 tackles and 5 sacks on the season.

NO. 5 LAS CRUCES BULLDAWGS
Record: 9-2
Head Coach: Mark Lopez
Bid: Automatic, District Champ
Away Record: 4-0
Streak: 7W
PF: 442 (40.1 ppg)
PA: 181 (16.4 ppg)

Why the Dawgs: The Las Cruces Bulldawgs are currently riding a seven game win, the last loss against their quarterfinal opponent in Rio Rancho. The Bulldawgs under head coach Mark Lopez are 4-3 in the playoffs but in the last two have gone 1-1 in each. Can they breakout and get another win and continue their current win streak? The difference with this years team is an improved and high powered offense. That offense is lead by the duo in Johnny Terrazas, RB (2020) who is coming off a 111-yard and 3 touchdown game in the first round. The quarterback for the Dawgs is junior Marcos Lopez who is also coming off a 2 rushing touchdown game in the first round. Rio Rancho allows points, if the Dawgs could get rolling early they have a shot at pulling this one out and limiting any late mistakes.

NMPreps Score Predictor: Rio Rancho 28, Las Cruces 27
NMPreps Grine Line: Rio Rancho -1
Over/Under: 60

6A Quarterfinals: #1 Volcano Vista vs #8 Mayfield
Location: Nusenda Community Stadium (Albuquerque, NM)
Date: Friday, Nov. 15th
Time: 7PM

VOLCANO VISTA HAWKS
Record: 10-0
Head Coach: Chad Wallin
Bid: Automatic, District Champ (1-6A)
Home Record: 5-0
Streak: 10W
PF: 449 (44.9 per game)
PA: 121 (12.1 per game)

Why VV: The Volcano Vista Hawks have answered every question this season and continue to prove that they are the best team in New Mexico. The Hawks a program known to be a post season or late season falls will look to complete the job this year. The big news for the Hawks was winning games without star quarterback Diego Pavia and since his return has played extremely well passing for nearly 1,000 yards in six games. The highlight night could be against Rio Rancho last month with 262 passing yards and 157 rushing. The workhorses for this years team has been the continued play by running back duo in Isaac Chavez (2020) and Jimmy Gallegos (2020), combined rushing yards of 1,855-yards. Chavez leads the way with 1,090.

MAYFIELD TROJANS
Record: 7-3
Head Coach: Michael Bradley
Bid: At-Large, District Third Place (3-6A)
Away Record: 2-2
Streak: 1W
PF: 242 (24.2 ppg)
PA: 160 (16 ppg)

Why Trojans: The Mayfield Trojans reach the quarterfinals after defeating fellow southern district foe Carlsbad, 21-14 last week in Las Cruces. The Trojans will look, once again, to the senior running back in Matthew Riley who has become one of the least talked about backs in New Mexico. The Trojans will look to eat the clock and pound the ball this coming week against the Hawks. The defense for the Trojans, only allowing 16 points per game, will have to play its absolute best and contain the weapons on the Hawks.

NMPreps Score Predictor: Volcano Vista 38, Mayfield 15
NMPreps Grine Line: Volcano Vista -13.5
Over/Under: 54

1. Should the coaches input form be taken out of the process? or should it be required that all coaches submit one?

2. What should be changed or added? If anything.

CURRENT CRITERIA

1. Finish in regular season district play
2. • Head to Head
3. • Wins against district champions regardless of class
4. • Overall Record
5. • MaxPreps Freeman Rankings
6. • Member School Input (see following form)

– To be submitted by head coach prior to 8:00 AM on the day of seeding..

Note: Football “School Input Form” will be submitted prior to 4:30 PM on the day of seeding.

NOTE: In the event of a tie among criteria points, head to head will be used to break the tie. If there is no head to head competition, or the head to head competition is tied, then MaxPreps Freeman Rankings will be used to break the tie.

Rank It: The Best Games in the Quarterfinals

1. (2) Clovis vs (7) La Cueva - Friday, 7pm
2. (3) Cleveland vs (6) Centennial - TBA
3. (4) Rio Rancho vs (5) Las Cruces - Friday, 7pm
4. (2) Los Lunas vs (10) Artesia - Saturday, 1pm
5. (1) Eunice vs (4) Fort Sumner - Saturday, 1pm
6. (1) Bloomfield vs (8) Ruidoso - Saturday, 1pm
7. (3) Robertson vs (6) West Las Vegas - Saturday, 1pm
8. (4) Dexter vs (5) Tularosa - Friday, 7pm
9. (1) Tatum vs (3) Melrose - Friday, 6pm
10. (1) Socorro vs (8) Raton - TBA
11. (4) Grants vs (5) Kirtland Central - Saturday, 1pm
12. (2) Hope Christian vs (10) Cobre - Saturday, 1pm
13. (3) Lovington vs (6) Aztec - Saturday, 1pm
14. (3) Texico vs (7) Hagerman - Saturday, 1pm
15. (4) Farmington vs (5) Deming - Saturday, 1pm
16. (2) Portales vs (10) Silver - Saturday, 1pm
17. (1) Roswell vs (9) Alamogordo - Friday, 7pm
18. (3) Goddard vs (6) Piedra Vista - Saturday, 1pm
19. (1) Volcano Vista vs (8) Mayfield - TBA

For those interested you can watch the NMMI v Navarro championship game at this link.

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