Week 4: Statewide Preview, Top 25 Breakdown & More
By: Kyle Henderson of
NMPreps.com
No. 1 Cleveland @ Clovis
The Class 6A No. 1 heads to Clovis to take on the Wildcats at Leon Williams Stadium Friday Night. On the season, Cleveland has been in a league of their own outscoring the comp 157-36. Against New Mexico competition they have scored 105 and allowed 0. On the season their dominating offensive line which averages 280 across the board has allowed for Quarterback Gabe Ortega to hit 70% of his passing targets this year. Head Cleveland Coach Heath Ridenour is 5-0 all-time against Clovis Wildcat Head Coach Eric Roanhaus.
No. 2 Mayfield @ Alamogordo
The Mayfield Trojans have beaten the Alamogordo Tigers every year since 1994. The last time the two met in a high profile game was back in 2006 in the 5A state title game, which Mayfield won 31-7. The Trojans are scoring 50.3 points per game, last weekend against Carlsbad they racked up more than 450-yards of offense, 330 of those yards came from Quarterback Joeray Valencia. The heavy favorite of course is Mayfield who has outscored Alamogordo since 2005 by a margin of 40-11.
No. 3 Centennial @ EP Socorro
Still unbeaten after three weeks the Hawks will make the short drive to El Paso to take on undefeated El Paso Socorro at 3-0. On the season Centennial has been led by quarterback Dante Lopez who has account for 10 touchdowns and the Hawks have outscored the comp on the season 135-40. A win by Centennial this weekend would set up a monster match up with cross town Las Cruces in week 5.
No. 4 Las Cruces vs. Rio Rancho
The Bulldawgs are now 2-1 after defeated Volcano Vista last weekend in a thriller 24-21. That was the first big test for Las Cruces and they passed. The Bulldawgs are young, but talented and Quarterback Kameron Miller has continued to rise up to the occasion proving he is a front runner for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award, he’s even playing safety at times for the defense. The Dawgs host Rio Rancho Friday Night a team they have lost to 4 out of the last 5 times.
No. 5 Artesia @ Deming
The Bulldogs now 3-0 are gaining ground and seem to get better and better each week. Last week during homecoming the Bulldogs rolled past Valencia 42-6 and while usually we highlight the offense when talking Artesia, their defense has allowed just 34. Defensive End Codey Scott has 8 sacks on the year, Defensive Back Carlos Carrasco has 3 interceptions. On offense Quarterback Justin Houghtaling has accounted for 10 touchdowns in the last two games.
No. 6 Volcano Vista vs. Eldorado
Now 2-1 on the season after losing to Las Cruces last week 24-21, the Hawks face another big test taking on the 3-0 Eldorado Eagles. It’s basically a game which likely determines who is the best team from Albuquerque in 2015. The Hawks are a little banged up suffering a few key injuries against Las Cruces, but their Quarterback and Receiver duo in Josh Williams and David Cormier are healthy which is scary for opponents. On defense also watch for their dangerous linebackers in Rio Hatten, Brian Parks, and Joel Castellano.
No. 7 Eldorado vs. Volcano Vista
We finally find out what type of team Eldorado is. We already know what type of program they have, top flight. Over the years Head Coach Charlie Dotson has built Eldorado into a continued contender and while they are 3-0 this year, their light schedule early on has not told us much. On the season they have outscored the comp 156-8. Watch for standouts like Noah Sweitzer, Isaiah Martinez, David Inman, and Dominic Sandoval to keep this game tight. Thriller expected against Volcano Vista.
No. 8 Rio Rancho @ Las Cruces
The Rio Rancho Rams have won their last 14 games against New Mexico competition and last week moved to 2-1 with a 23-3 win against La Cueva. Head Coach David Howes and the defended Class 6A Champ are right where they need to be and likely are enjoying being the underdogs for once. On the season Running Back Josh Foley is close to 300-yards rushing, the defense is allowing just 16 points points per game and they have beaten Las Cruces 4 out of the last 5 times.
No. 9 Clovis vs. Cleveland
Now 3-0 on the season the Clovis Wildcats host the No. 1 Cleveland Storm in a marquee match up which everyone has their eyes on. Clovis has beaten Goddard, Cibola, and ran through Atrisco Heritage last weekend 61-6. Led by a big ground game of course, junior running back Micah Gray has rushed for 486-yards and 7 touchdowns and is their main man entering tonight’s game. No way to spin it Clovis enters as the big underdog, but playing at Leon Williams in front of a packed house should provide plenty of motivation for an upset.
No. 10 Alamogordo vs. Mayfield
The Alamogordo Tigers have not beaten Mayfield since the 1994 season and since 2005 (NMPreps Era) they have lost 11 straight. Now in his 3rd year as a Head Coach Dale Hooper has changed the culture quickly at Alamogordo and made them believers and in their first three games they have outscored the comp 158-13. Their big offense is propelled by junior quarterback Kyle Hooper and running back Hunter Graham, who have combined for more than 15 touchdowns this season. Their defense is allowing just 4.3 points per game.
No. 11 Hobbs @ Onate
The Eagles are 1-2 and travel to Las Cruces on Saturday to take on the winless Onate Knights. Tougher game than it sounds. Last weekend the Eagles won their first game of the season in front of more than 8,000 at Watson Memorial beating Roswell 42-14. Their offense has scored 104 points this season, their defense has allowed 93 points this year. Last weekend Quarterback Isaac Amaya and receiver Devin Beard hooked up for 3 touchdowns.
No. 12 Sandia vs. Valley
Since their opening season meltdown losing to Volcano Vista 37-3, the Sandia Matadors have outscored their last two opponents 102-14. Running Back Jimmy Gallegos has scored 8 touchdowns in their last two games and they enter as the big favorite against winless Valley. Moving to 3-1 heading into their 9/24 game against Cleveland would be huge.
No. 13 Cibola beat La Cueva 27-14
Thursday Night Cibola Running Back Kayzon Martin ran for 161-yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars defeated the La Cueva Bears nu 13 points to move to 3-1 on the season. The Cougars led 6-0 at the half after a turnover plagued first two quarters which included 5 total turnovers. Cibola made it 13-0 when Quarterback Gannon Chavez contacted with Jacob Smith for a 43-yard touchdown strike, La Cueva would fire back with a Thomas Bui touchdown run to make it 13-7. A 45-yard touchdown by Martin made it 20-7, a score which really out the game out of reach for the Bears who are now 1-3 on the year. Cibola takes on 2-2 Manzano next week, La Cueva takes on Valley.
No. 14 Manzano beat West Mesa 21-13
The Manzano Monarchs won a pivotal game Thursday Night against West Mesa to move to 2-2 on the season. The Monarchs and the Mustangs were tied 7-7 at the half, then West Mesa took a 13-7 lead after a 90-yard interception for a touchdown. Manzano would score two touchdowns straight, their final touchdown was a pass which came with just 30 seconds to play in the game.
No. 15 La Cueva lost to Cibola 17-14
Thursday Night Cibola Running Back Kayzon Martin ran for 161-yards and two touchdowns as the Cougars defeated the La Cueva Bears nu 13 points to move to 3-1 on the season. The Cougars led 6-0 at the half after a turnover plagued first two quarters which included 5 total turnovers. Cibola made it 13-0 when Quarterback Gannon Chavez contacted with Jacob Smith for a 43-yard touchdown strike, La Cueva would fire back with a Thomas Bui touchdown run to make it 13-7. A 45-yard touchdown by Martin made it 20-7, a score which really out the game out of reach for the Bears who are now 1-3 on the year. Cibola takes on 2-2 Manzano next week, La Cueva takes on Valley.
No. 16 Onate vs. Hobbs
Big game for Onate Saturday as Hobbs comes to down. It’s time for Onate to start winning some ball games and playing Hobbs tight or even pulling off the upset would be a catalyst for some major momentum. They nights offense has been slow starting the season scoring just 15.3 points per game, their defense gave up 52 points last weekend to Cleveland.
No. 17 St. Pius X @ Bernalillo
This is likely Head Coach San Juan Mendoza’s best team he has had since the early 2000’s and the Sartans are rolling into week 4 at 3-0. The only question everyone has is how were they trailing Gallup last weekend 3-0 at the half. Junior Quarterback Drew Ortiz has been money on the season accounting for 9 touchdowns over the last two weeks. This game might be over by halftime.
No. 18 Deming vs. Artesia
Over the last two weeks Deming Quarterback Dante Urrea has accounted for 10 touchdowns as the Wildcats have reeled off two impressive victories in back to back weeks. Their week two win over Carlsbad winning 41-34 turned heads and while they are the huge underdog hosting Artesia, maybe Deming’s offense has enough fire power to keep up with the 5A super power.
No. 19 Piedra Vista vs. Moriarty
The Panthers lost their first game of the season last week losing to Durango, Colorado by a score of 21-3. This week they take on Moriarty a team which they are the heavy favorites in. Watch for dual threat quarterback Elijah Gamboa to shine and also for Matt Gonzales their special teams secret weapon.
No. 20 Goddard vs. Belen
The Rockets now 1-2 on the season earned their first win last week at the Wool Bowl defeating Los Lunas 35-7. Against the Tigers running back Lukas Gutierrez ran for 190-yards and scored 3 touchdowns, Sophomore Quarterback Cameron Stevenson scored one touchdown on offense and returned an interception for a touchdown on defense.
No. 21 Valley vs. Sandia
Now 0-3 the Vikings are on the verge of potentially falling out of the NMPreps.com Top 25. They lost a heart breaker against Cibola last weekend 15-14 and their offense has been stagnant scoring just 26 points in three games. Tall task stopping Sandia Friday Night.
No. 22 Carlsbad vs. EP Eastwood
The Gray Bradley era of coaching has started winless through three weeks with the Cavemen losing to Americas, Deming, and to Mayfield last weekend 41-6. Their schedule doesn’t get any easier with El Paso Eastwood, Artesia, and Sandia up next.
No. 23 Farmington vs. Durango, CO
First Year Head Coach Jeff Dalton and the Scorpions are now 3-0 heading into a very interesting match up against Durango, Colorado. Consider this game Farmington’s first test of the season. Last weekend Quarterback KodyBecenti scored 5 touchdowns in a 56-28 win over Belen.
No. 24 Miyamura vs. Grants
The Patriots are now 2-1 on the season after dropping their first game of the year last weekend losing to Bayfield, Colorado 34-20. On the season they are led by AJ Starkovich who has rushed for over 300-yards. Grants is 3-0 and coming into Gallup red hot, this is a very interesting Class 5A match up. Playoff resume builder game if you will.
No. 25 Hatch vs. Clint, TX
The NMPreps.com's No. 1 team in Class 4A will host Clint, TX this weekend in an interesting match up. The Bears have been on fire so far this year scoring 50.6 points per game. Clint is 2-1 on the season after falling to Horizon 34-26 in week 3. Adrian Grajeda has rushed for 383-yards and 7 touchdowns in 3 games for the Bears.
Week 4: 4A, 3A, 2A, 8Man, 6Man Preview
Bloomfield 3-0 @ Taos 1-2
The Bobcats continue to roll on the season now at 3-0 following a 56-6 win over Socorro. On the season they have outscored the comp 156-34. JD Robinson leads the team with 293-yards through three games. The Taos Tigers have allowed 77 points in their last two games under first year Head Coach Art Abreau Jr.
Carrizozo 3-0 @ Gateway 3-0
The Warriors are the big favorite in this match up after a statement win in week 3 defeating Magdalena 50-14. The Gizzles also 3-0 on the season are coming off wins against Ramaha, Tse Yi Gai, and Tatum. Caleb Venture has scored 9 touchdowns for Carrizozo.
Dexter 2-1 @ Tucumcari 1-2
The Demons have played in three games that have all featured a shutout. In week 1 they lost to Hatch 41-0, in week 2 they beat Tularosa 42-0, and in week 3 they beat Hagerman 50-0. Dexter Senior Quarterback Dominic Lomeli has thrown for 243-yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. For the Rattlers, they are 1-2 and still a bit of a question mark beating Texico in week 2, but losing to Estancia 51-0.
Estancia 3-0 @ Capitan 2-1
The Bears are playing at a very high level and actually are close to being ranked in the NMPreps.com Top 25 after a 51-0 win over Tucumcari. The Capitan Tigers are 2-1 after a 37-0 win over Jal. Sophomore Mosies Anaya has ran for over 300-yards and Adam Lujan has ran for 296 for Estancia.
Hope 2-1 @ Santa Rosa 1-2
The Huskies started off the season 2-0 beating Academy and Taos, then lost to Grants in week 3 by a score of 33-14. Senior Quarterback Caleb Meyer Hagan has thrown for 522-yards and 8 touchdowns so far. The Lions are now 1-2 after losing to Robertson 28-12, their lone win comes against Academy in week 2 as they defeated the Chargers 22-14.
Hot Springs 3-0 @ Lordsburg 2-1
Big test for Hot Springs who is now 3-0 on the season after another no-contest win over Thoreau. The Tigers have outscored the comp 114-6 in three games, Lordsburg is clearly the best team they have played all season. The Mavericks are 2-1 after losing to Hatch 63-29.
Laguna 1-1 @ Socorro 1-1
The Laguna Acoma Hawks lost to West Las Vegas last weekend 35-14 and now sit at 1-1 on the season. The Warriors who won their first game in two-seasons back in week 1 defeating Shiprock 66-30 lost to Bloomfield in week 3 56-6.
Portales 3-0 @ Eunice 1-2
The Rams seem to have something special going on this season, last week they rolled past Texico 36-0, the week before that they beat Lovington 48-12. Running Back Bronte Staugaard has ran for 592-yards and 9 touchdowns in two games. The Cardinals earned their first win of the season defeating Tularosa 32-13.
Raton 1-2 @ Escalante 3-0
The Raton Tigers started the season with a 42-6 win over McCurdy, since they have been beaten by La Junta, Colorado 47-0 and by Trinidad, Colorado 41-8. The Lobos have won 15 in a row under Dusty Giles and are coming off a 56-6 win over Navajo Prep. Dominic Montano has rushed for 401-yards and 9 touchdowns in three games.
Robertson 1-2 @ St. Mike's 3-0
The Cardinals won their first game of the season defeating Santa Rosa 28-12 in week 3 and now have another tough test against St. Mike's on Saturday. This is not a make or break game, but there are few things better for a Robertson fan than beating St. Mike's, especially in Santa Fe. The Horsemen have scored 91 points in their last two games, last weekend they beat Taos 42-17, the week before they beat Capital 49-20. Watch for Chross Jaramillo as a multi-spot athlete, Xavier Vigil at running back and backer is a play-maker.
Ruidoso 0-3 @ Pojoaque 0-3
Someone has to win this game right? The defending 4A state champs are hurting due to losses to graduation, but they have also played a tough schedule losing to Roswell, Hatch, and Lovington. The Elks have been blowing out in their last two games by a combined score of 106-0, last week they lost to Espanola 54-0.
Texico 1-2 @ Clayton 2-1
Not sure many expected Texico to start off the season 1-2 with a loss to Tucumcari and last weekend the Wolverines were held scoreless against Portales losing 36-0. The Yellowjackets are now 2-1 under first year Head Coach Dustin Tippit after a tough loss to Sunray, Texas 32-22. The Yellowjackets are led by Justin Taylor who has rushed for 502-yards and 7 touchdowns in 3 games.
Tularosa 0-3 @ Cobre 1-2
The Wildcats are off to a very slow start and lost to Eunice last weekend 32-13. This weekend they take on Cobre, who reached the 4A state finals just one-year ago. The Indians are now 1-2 after losing to Ysleta in a shootout 40-36.
Complete Week 4 Schedule
Thursday, September 17th
Cibola 27, La Cueva 14
Manzano 21, West Mesa 13
Friday, September 18th
Albuquerque @ Valencia
Animas @ Hondo
Artesia @ Deming
Atrisco Heritage @ Highland
Belen @ Goddard
Bloomfield @ Taos
Carrizozo @ Gateway
Centennial @ EP Socorro
Cleveland @ Clovis
Clint (TX) @ Hatch
Cloudcroft @ Tatum
Cuba @ Tohatchi
Dexter @ Tucumcari
Dora/Eldira @ Mountainair
Durango @ Farmington
Eldorado @ Volcano Vista (Community)
El Paso Eastwood @ Carlsbad
EP Mnt. View @ Chaparral
Estancia @ Capitan
Gadsden @ Santa Teresa
Gallup @ Santa Fe
Grants @ Miyamura
Hope @ Santa Rosa
Hot Springs @ Lordsburg
Jal @ Loving
Jemez Valley @ Alamo Navajo
Laguna @ Socorro
Lake Arthur @ Corona
Logan @ Melrose
Los Alamos @ Kirtland
Magdalena @ Ramah
Mayfield @ Alamogordo
McCurdy @ Ft. Sumner
Navajo Pine @ Crownpint
Navajo Prep @ Zuni
Piedra Vista @ Moriarty
Portales @ Eunice
Raton @ Escalante
Rio Grande @ Los Lunas
Rio Rancho @ Las Cruces
Roswell @ Silver
Roy @ Vaughn
Ruidoso @ Pojoaque
Sandia @ Valley (Milne)
St. Pius X @ Bernalillo
Texico @ Clayton
Tornillo (TX) @ Mesilla Valley
Tularosa @ Cobre
West LV @ Capital
Wingate @ Espanola
Saturday, September 19th
Hobbs @ Onate
To’Hajiilee @ Shiprock NW
Robertson @ St. Mike’s
Menual @ Tse Yi Gai
Week 4 Rankings
Class 6A - September 14th Rankings
1. Cleveland 3-0
2. Mayfield 3-0
3. Las Cruces 2-1
4. Volcano Vista 2-1
5. Eldorado 3-0
6. Rio Rancho 2-1
7. Clovis 3-0
8. Alamogordo 3-0
9. Hobbs 1-2
10. Sandia 2-1
11. Cibola 2-1
12. Manzano 1-2
13. La Cueva 1-2
14. Onate 0-3
15. Deming 2-1
Class 5A - September 14th Rankings
1. Centennial 3-0
2. Artesia 3-0
3. St. Pius X 3-0
4. Piedra Vista 2-1
5. Goddard 1-2
6. Farmington 3-0
7. Miyamura 2-1
8. Grants 3-0
9. Roswell 1-2
10. Capital 2-1
11. Valencia 1-2
12. Lovington 1-2
13. Moriarty 2-1
14. Espanola 3-0
15. Los Lunas 0-3
Class 4A - September 14th Rankings
1. Hatch 3-0
2. Bloomfield 3-0
3. St. Mike's 3-0
4. Portales 3-0
5. Cobre 1-2
6. Robertson 1-2
7. Hot Springs 3-0
8. Hope 2-1
9. Silver 0-3
10. Ruidoso 0-3
Class 3A - September 14th Rankings
1. Estancia 3-0
2. Lordsburg 2-1
3. Clayton 2-1
4. Dexter 2-1
5. Tucumcari 1-2
6. Texico 1-2
7. Santa Rosa 1-2
8. Capitan 2-1
9. Eunice 1-2
10. Laguna 1-1
Class 2A - September 14th Rankings
1. Escalante 3-0
2. Ft. Sumner 2-1
3. McCurdy 2-1
4. Hagerman 0-3
5. Jal 1-2
Class 8Man - September 14th Rankings
1. Melrose 3-0
2. Gateway Christian 3-0
3. Magdalena 2-1
4. Tatum 1-1
5. Logan 1-1
Class 6Man - September 14th Rankings
1. Grady/San Jon 3-0
2. Animas 3-0
3. Hondo 1-1
4. Lake Arthur 1-1
5. Vaughn 1-1
Week 3 All-New Mexico Team
Offensive Selections
QB - Joeray Valencia - Mayfield - Threw for 330-yards and 4 touchdowns against Carlsbad
RB - Lukas Gutierrez - Goddard - Ran for 160-yards and 3 touchdowns against Los Lunas
RB - Micah Gray - Clovis - Ran for 231-yards and 4 touchdowns against Atrisco Heritage
TE - Vicent Delgaldillo - Las Cruces - caught for 58-yards against Volcano Vista
WR - Devin Beard - Hobbs - Caught for 99-yards and scored 3 touchdowns against Roswell
WR - Gavin Swinson - Mayfield - Caught for 174-yards and 3 touchdowns against Carlsbad
WR - Marcus Williams - Cleveland - Caught for 7 receptions for 143-yards and 2 touchdowns against
Onate
WR - Miguel Sena - West LV - Caught 14 passes for 258-yards and 3 touchdowns
OL - Clovis’ offensive line helped the Wildcats rack up more than 465-yards against Atrisco Heritage
Defensive Selections
DL - Ben Betram - Sandia - 4 sacks against Albuquerque
DL - Caleb Ortiz - Estancia - 4 tackles, forced fumble against Tucumcari
DL - Jerry Gurrola - Centennial - 7 tackles against Del Norte
LB - Rio Hatten - Volcano Vista - 1 sack, 7 tackles against Las Cruces
LB - Forest McKee - Onate - 7 tackles against Cleveland
LB - Jake Boykin - Centennial - 9 tackles against Del Norte
DB - Manny Rodriguez - Hatch- 2 INTs (1 TD), 5 rush 42 yds
DB - Monroe Young - Onate - 7 tackles against Cleveland
DB - Cameron Stevenson - Goddard - Scored 1 offensive touchdown, returned interception for
touchdown against Los Lunas
DB - Adrian Grajeda - Hatch - 13 rush 101 yds 4 TDs, 5 tackles 3 TFL 2 Sacks
Special Teams
Ethan Duff - Artesia - Returned kick for touchdown against Valencia
Jeremiah Padilla - Hatch - 4 rush, 83 yds 1 TD, 89-yard KO return TD
Noah Swietzer - Eldorado - Returned blocked field goal for a touchdown against West Mesa
