Today, on NMPreps.com we take a look at key games to watch this week. We look at the Big 5 for each night and highlight key players to watch out for on any night.

More: NMPreps.com Top-25 Rankings | Week Two Scoreboard | Week One in Rewind

Not much on the scene this weekend but we have a few matches to take note on. The Bosque Bobcats (0-0) have some talent on their roster and will look to make their mark in 4A. They battle with East Mountain on Friday night.

Alamogordo hopes to rebound on Saturday with a match against Chaparral. Escalante and Santa Fe Prep could be an interesting match to watch in 3A volleyball.

PICKS FOR FRIDAY
Cloudcroft vs. Eunice - Cloudcroft
East Mountain vs. Bosque - Bosque
Menaul vs. Questa - Questa
Penasco vs. Monte Del Sol - Penasco
San Jon vs. Santa Fe Waldorf - Santa Fe Waldorf

PICKS FOR SATURDAY
Alamogordo vs. Chaparral - Alamogordo
Escalante vs. Santa Fe Prep - Santa Fe Prep
Eunice vs. Loving - Eunice
Fort Sumner vs. Tatum - Fort Sumner
NACA vs. Raton - Raton
Tohatchi vs. Tse'Yi'Gai - Tohatchi


THURSDAY - BIG 5
Roswell (1-0) vs. Portales (0-0): The Roswell Coyotes came flying into the new season with a monster win over No. 19 Ruidoso. The Lady Coyotes complete demolished the Lady Warriors and are hoping to keep this momentum moving against another opponent from district 4-4A.

Quiet Night but Four others to check out: For local bragging rights around you region, you have some teams battling from different classifications like Grants (0-0) taking on Wingate (0-0). Up north you have West Las Vegas (0-0) who say they are worthy of a higher ranking in 4A. They will battle Mora up the road. Estancia and Santa Rosa (1-0) will square off in 3A, as the Lady Lions are coming off a big win over 4A East Mountain. Gallup from 6A will look to start the season off in the win column facing smaller school Crownpoint.

State Line Battles: Texico a clear cut favorite takes on Lubbock Christian (TX). Chaparral will battle Faith Christian (TX) while Piedra Vista a top team from a year ago will battle San Juan (UT)


THE PICKS FOR THURSDAY
Bloomfield vs. Dulce - Bloomfield
Chaparral vs. Faith Christian (TX) - Chaparral
Farmington vs. Pagosa Springs (CO) - Farmington
Gallup vs. Crownpoint - Gallup
Grants vs. Wingate - Grants
Jal vs. Carlsbad JV - Jal
Jemez Valley vs. Cuba - Cuba
Thoreau vs. Rehoboth Christian - RC
Mescalero Apache vs. JV Team - Mesalero
Mora vs. West Las Vegas - West Las Vegas
NMMI vs. Corona - Corona
Ramah vs. Tohatchi - Ramah
Pecos vs Tucumcari - Pecos
Piedra Vista vs. San Juan (UT) - PV
Portales vs. Roswell - Roswell
Santa Rosa vs. Estancia - Santa Rosa
Texico vs. Lubbock Christian (TX) - Texico
Vaughn vs. Clovis Christian - Clovis Christian


WEDNESDAY - THE ONE AND ONLY

Sandia Prep (0-0) vs. Pojoaque Valley (0-0): The only game listed at the moment for Wednesday night comes from 4A volleyball as two unranked (NMPreps.com Top-25) teams battle for some early season classification bragging rights. The Sundevils are young and have a pair of sophomores who will be names to know. Catherine Kelly (2018/OH/Sandia Prep) is a preseason all-state candidate and one to make a mark early in this contest.

THE PICK FOR WEDNESDAY
Sandia Prep vs. Pojoaque Valley - Sandia Prep

TUESDAY - THE BIG 5

UPSET ALERT No. 24 Santa Fe High (1-0) vs. Valencia (0-0): The No. 24 Lady Demons open the season with a tough 5A squad that could be looking for the upset as the Lady Jaguars sit out of the Top-25 as the next seven to consider. The Lady Demons feature 2018 sensation Brandee Fulgenzi. The Lady Jags will bring a trio of their own with Emily Garcia, Peyten Lunthicm and Maya Dow.

No. 9 Las Cruces (1-0) vs. EP Franklin (TX): The Lady Bulldawgs come storming into week two after a huge win in week one over EP Chapin. The Lady Bulldawgs had several players step up in the win but junior Celeste Cox (who won player of the week) will look to match her stunning performance last week.

GAME OF THE NIGHT No. 3 Centennial (1-1) vs. No. 20 Gadsden (1-0): This game has everything you could be looking for in some early playoff atmosphere in terms of talent match. The Hawks are the No. 3 team in the land of New Mexico behind it's four studs Destiny Ruiz (2016), Savannah Bush (2016), Iyabo Adeojea (2016) and D'Andra Espinoza (2016). The Gadsden Panthers however have upset on their mind and will look to Briana Bustillos (2016) to lead the prowl.

No. 12 Mayfield (1-0) vs. Alamogordo (0-0): The Mayfield Lady Trojans are coming into the game after walking past Carlsbad (0-1) in week one on the road. The Trojans will look to Kameryn Baker and Samantha Tuton to take the Trojans past the unranked Lady Tigers. Sierra Gentry looks to lead Alamogordo during this match.

No. 19 Ruidoso (0-0) vs. Roswell (0-0): Both teams open the season Tuesday night but its the 4A squad with the favorite as they are the defending champs and return a wealth of talent behind 6-foot-2 stud Lia Mosher. This Lady Warriors team is talented and hopes to use that against a solid 5A team in Roswell. Gali Sanchez will be the one to fuel the Lady Coyotes for a week two upset and shake up.

THE PICKS FOR TUESDAY

6A - Deming vs. Chaparral - Deming
6A - Clovis vs. Palo Duro (TX) - Clovis
6A - Santa Fe vs. Valencia - Valencia
6A - Las Cruces vs. Franklin (TX) - Las Cruces
6A - Gadsden vs. Centennial - Centennial
6A - Mayfield vs. Alamogordo - Mayfield
5A - Santa Teresa vs. Hatch Valley - Santa Teresa
5A - Roswell vs. Ruidoso - Ruidoso
4A - Thoreau vs. Crownpoint - Thoreau
4A - Socorro vs. Magdalena - Socorro
4A - NMMI vs. Hondo Valley - NMMI
4A - Silver vs. Lordsburg - Silver
4A - East Mountain vs. Santa Rosa - Santa Rosa
3A - Cuba vs. Shiprock Northwest - Cuba
3A - Tohatchi vs. To'hajiilee - Tohatchi
3A - Tucumcari vs. Fort Sumner - Tucumcari
2A - McCurdy vs. Jemez Valley - Jemez Valley




Don't forget to post or text (505-414-4313) scores, post top performers and give game updates.

The day before their opening game, the Aztec Tigers put down their cleats and pick up gloves and shovels to help out the community that has supported them all of these years.

"Instead of enjoying the day off from school on the couch, Taylor and the rest of the Aztec High School football team paid it forward:

“Shovel out sidewalks and the streets and stuff, helping wash down sidewalks,” he said.

There was a lot of mud for the team to deal with on Main Street in Aztec, even encroaching on the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village.

“You see some of them here, some are at the high school…there is not a football player that is resting today. They are out there helping the community,” said Aztec football coach Matthew Steinfeldt.

The team takes it as their mission to give back to the community that supports them.

“We know that when the time comes, we need to step up as well and perform as well,” said Steinfeldt.

And with inches of mud to move, they had their work cut out for them.

“It's better than school, I think,” said Taylor with a grin.

Aztec's season opener is Friday and you better believe there will be some grateful fans in the stands cheering them on.

“This is an opportunity for our boys to come out and show our community how much they mean to us,” said Steinfeldt."

http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3890441.shtml

Looks like Aztec's Matt Hagarty is battling for the starting center job at Oregon!!

http://www.foxsports.com/college-fo...-go-with-matt-hegarty-or-jake-pisarcik-072915

Okay so the next feature I am currently working on is one taking a look at the NMPreps.com's Player Rankings. A blast of the past if you would.

Who do you think is one the list of top players since 2008? I worked here for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 releases but have some information on the first ever 2008 through the rest. We release one (sometimes two) a year.

Look for that coming soon but for the meantime who do you think is the overall Number one player since 2008 that we will have ranked?

8 Years of Rankings: We will re-rank them into one.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015

4A, 3A, 2A, 8Man Week 1 Preview
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com

St. Mike’s @ Santa Fe
One of the oldest rivalry games in the State of New Mexico should be packed Friday Night at Ivan Head Stadium. Last year the Horsemen took it to the Santa Fe Demons 28-14. Two players to watch include: Xavier Vigil the Horsemen’s 200 pound Running Back/Linebacker and Santa Fe Linebacker Bailey Lozada Cabbage.

Clayton @ West Las Vegas
How will Clayton respond under first year Head Coach Dusty Tippit? That is the key question as there is no question that the Yellowjackets still return a ton of talent into the season. Watch for running back Jose Zamora. The West Las Vegas Dons went 3-7 last year and were blown out by Clayton 51-6. However the Dons showed improvement late in the season, we’re guessing this game is much closer.

Cobre @ Morenci AZ
The Indians are coming off a 10-4 season reaching the state title game under Jerry Martinez. Last year they beat Morenci 20-7 and return quite a bit of talent which again puts them as their week one opponent. Watch for Dominic Redwine and for Corey Roberson at running back to step up for Cobre.

Hatch @ Dexter
Easy to like the Hatch Bears again going into the 2015 season. One reason is because they are coached by one of the best in the business in Jack Cisco, the other reason is because they return offensive play makers like Jared Garay and Adrian Grajeda. Dexter is led by first year Head Coach Kevin Graham (former Kirtland Central Head Coach) and watch for Demon Senior Quarterback Dominic Lomeli.

Mountainair @ Magdalena
The Magdalena Steers should again be primed to make a run to the 8-Man playoffs or even finals. They went 10-1 last year and return a ton of talent including Quarterback Mike Chambers. Last year the Steers buried Mountainair 58-8.

Robertson @ Portales
Always an excited match up when these two teams get it on. Last year the Cardinals won this match up 33-20 and finished these season 10-1 with an early exit in the playoffs. The Cardinals are led by Mathew Baca at running back and watch for JR Gonzalez and Francisco Arguello to be their leaders. For Portales, watch for prime time running back Bronte Staaguard, one of the top play makers in Class 4A.

Silver @ Capital
Not sure when the last time these two teams met, if ever. Whatever the case Capital seems to be much improved and ready for the challenge of taking on a continued power in Class 4A, the Fighting Colts who went 9-4 in 2014. The Jaguars will look to their one-two punch in Quarterback Augustine Larranaga and Running Back Kevin Brown. Silver is led by Jeremiah Burke a legit 4.4 athlete and linebacker Chad Flower.

Texico @ Santa Rosa
It feels like this is always a playoff game and you can expect the parking lot to be full in Santa Rosa Friday Night as the Lions host the Wolverines. Santa Rosa won this game last year 25-12, but it looks like Texico returns quite a big into 2015, most notably watch for Mason Golden, their 215 pound linebacker/running back.

Tularosa @ Hot Springs
Good rivalry game that should be no different this year. The Tigers beat the Wildcats last year 20-13. With home field on the Tiger’s side along with running back Nick Moreno ready to go, edge goes to the Tigers.

Hope @ Academy
This game will take place Saturday Morning at 11AM on the beautiful football field at Richard Harper Memorial. Academy now independent will take on Hope Christian. You would think this game is a rivalry game, but they have not played since 2012. Hope won that game 20-12. Watch for Academy Running Back Clay Crosby and Hope Christian Quarterback Caleb Myer Hagen.

Monday, August 17th
Onate over Chapin (TX), 3-0.

Tuesday, August 18th
EP Coronado (TX) over Centennial, 3-0
Gateway Christian over NMMI, 3-0
Las Cruces over EP Chapin (TX), 3-0
Socorro over East Mountain, 3-0.

The Rundown: The Socorro Warriors over the Timberwolves of East Mountain last night. Also, down in southern New Mexico three games took place with the preseason No. 1 (5A) Centennial Hawks fell 3-0 to EP Chapin TX. Gateway Christian does work over NMMI 3-0 in a quick match. Las Cruces beat a 7-1 EP Chapin (TX), 3-0 last night.

Player of the Games: please nominate/post.

Friday, August 21st
Gadsden over Hobbs, 3-0

Saturday, August 22nd
Santa Teresa over Deming, 3-0



Previews, Recaps and Updates will run next week. Please text or email scores, top players and game updates to Joshua Grine (505-414-4313 or grinejosh@yahoo.com). You can also post all updates to this thread.

Hobbs/Belen Recap
By Clayton Jones of the Hobbs News Sun

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Volcano Vista blasts Sandia 37-3 in season opener
By: Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com

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Albuquerque - Wednesday Night the No. 10 ranked Volcano Vista Hawks sent a clear message to the entire state: We are the real deal. The Hawks routing No. 7 Sandia by 34 points. After being tied 3-3 in the first quarterback Volcano Vista jumped to an 11-3 lead when Senior Quarterback Josh Williams connected with receiver David Cormier.

Sandia would bobble a punt which would give the ball back to Volcano Vista on the 5-yard line, but penalties would push the Hawks back to the 28-yard line. Facing a 3rd and 28, Williams found Cormier again to make it 18-3, and then a few plays later Josh Williams would score on a 10-yard rushing touchdown.

“Before the game I was out here throwing and I felt better than I ever had really. I was feeling it and I knew we could explode like this. My offensive line, my receivers, and the defense all played great tonight,” said Williams who finished the game with 275-yards passing and two touchdowns.

The Hawks scored their final touchdown of the night when Allan Rodriguez returned an interception 91-yards with no time left on the clock. Volcano Vista now 1-0 takes on Manzano in week 0, Sandia now 0-1 will take on Atrisco Heritage.

Players That Stood Out
Josh Williams - Volcano Vista - QB
Chris Streetz - Volcano Vista - RB
Mattew Ortero - Volcano Vista - RB
David Cormier - Volcano Vista - WR
Allan Rodriguez - Volcano Vista - WR
Nick Mourning - Volcano Vista - DL
Ethan Valencia - Volcano Vista - OL
Brian Parks - Volcano Vista - LB
Helio Lopez - Volcano Vista - WR
Joel Castellano - Volcano Vista - LB
Frank Garcia - Volcano Vista - OL
Jimmy Gallegos - Sandia - RB
Carter Phillips - Sandia - DL

Give Me Your Thoughts On These Teams going into the season

Cobre
Hot Springs
Capitan
Escalante
Clayton
Eunice

Pick your team or a few teams and predict the twenty win teams.

Predict who you could see wining the title as your realistic options. Say three teams from each class that you could honestly see winning it all.

Can you please post the following link on your social walls, team pages, etc. We are running a flash sale from August 26th to August 29th: Sign up for an annual subscription and get September and October Free.

You can drag this photo below to your desktop and give them this link
https://n.rivals.com/users/sign_up/94?promo_code=FRIDAYNIGHTLIGHTS

Also, you can tell them how much fun it is to talk high school football here as well as get non-stop coverage!

Can we get a list of what stations are broadcasting the games this year?

My full picks are posted here and released each Thursday
https://nmpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1796259

Play Pick Em Here
http://nmpreps.forums.rivals.com/threads/you-pick-em-week-1.10020/

Was talking to a few refs at a recent scrimmage about the shortage of football referees this year. Any thoughts on why fewer people are stepping up to call games?

Here is a short article from earlier this month that appeared in the Ruidoso News about this exact thing.

http://www.ruidosonews.com/ruidoso-news/ci_28622662/high-school-referees-wanted

If you could change one rule in NM high school football, what would it be.? Federation rules included.

Tale of the Tape: Sandia vs. Volcano Vista
https://nmpreps.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1795907



Highlights From Last Year

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Antflores let us know that Hobbs schools will be streaming live Friday's Mayfield football game. Today, all of the particulars were released. All home and away games for Hobbs will be streamed on hobbsschools.net. "In addition, the school district also plans to provide live video of HHS basketball games and any other sporting event broadcast on 95.7 KOOL." (As per the Hobbs News Sun) Hobbs schools purchased the equipment and newtwork bandwidth for the streaming feature. Impressively, an agreement with Noalmark Broadcasting insures that radio commentary will be matched to the video feed. Noalmark in part is 95.7 KOOL and can be found on Hobbsamerica.com. For now, the filming will be done by Hobbs schools staff. In the future high schools students from a technology class will do the filming. Also, all broadcasts will be archived for viewing on the website for viewing at any time. Of interest, hobbsschools.net has to be one of the most comprehensive and finest school web pages out there. If interested, you should check that out also.

Are there any in-season soccer tournaments?

Boys All- Time Leading Scorers Since 2008 (Amount of Goals- Name-School-Year Goals Scored)
52- Ricardo Perez- Contrerez- Belen- 2011
50- Brett Cherney- Rehoboth- 2009
48- Aiden Cserhat- Taos- 2014
42- Pablo Quintana- Piedra Vista- 2009
41- Chris Lovato- Los Lunas- 2013
39- Alejandro Garcia- Los Lunas- 2012
38- Baski Baker- Socorro- 2009
37- Jose Gutierrez- Bernalillo- 2011
36- Ricardo Perez- Contrerez- Belen- 2010
35- Oscar Vela- Roswell- 2009
35- Mario Varela- Socorro- 2009
34- Alejandro Garcia- Los Lunas- 2013
34- Carson Baldinger- La Cueva- 2009
34- Josh Reid- Socorro- 2009
33- Diego Ruiz- Bernalillo- 2011
32- Guillermo Diaz- Gadsden- 2012
31- Nathanael Pacheco- St. Pius- 2010
30- Nicolo Muniz- Rio Rancho- 2009
28- Ryan Hunter- Sandia Prep- 2014
28- Fernando Sanchez- Roswell- 2013
28- Luke Lawrence- La Cueva- 2012
28- Sudi Torres- Desert Academy- 2012
28- Landon Chavez- Grants- 2010
28- Edwin Perez- Pojoaque- 2010
28- Patrick Pacheco- Taos- 2009

Girls All- Time Leading Scorers Since 2008 (Amount of Goals- Name- School- Year Goals Scored)
76- Dezirae Armijo- Socorro- 2012
58- Alexis Begay- Belen- 2014
54- Zoie Hensley- Taos- 2013
54- Dezirae Armijo- Socorro- 2011
53- Zoie Hensley- Taos- 2011
50- Caitlin Diefendorf- Robertson- 2012
50- Aimee Vasquez- Ruidoso- 2008
47- Caitlin Diefendorf- Robertson- 2014
43- Emily Baldoni- East Mountain- 2014
43- Dominique Molina- Socorro- 2014
42- Caitlin Diefendorf- Robertson- 2013
42- Nique Enloe- St. Mikes- 2013
39- Dominique Molina- Socorro- 2013
38- Jessica Singleton- Hobbs- 2012
37- Hailey Morris- Aztec- 2014
37- Angelina Stanzione- Socorro- 2010
36- Tatianna Limon- Belen- 2014
35- Mackenzie Miller- Academy- 2012
35- Ashley Williams- Volcano Vista- 2011

What games stand out?

If you come across any news reports re NM high school boys soccer, please post them here.

I created this video back in 2012. A good video to show to your players this week, still gives me chills...

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Ahh the first week and the miles pile up early. This years addition of go start the bus features a 12 hour round trip to start things off. Be safe out their and have a great season. All mileages are round trip.

Artesia at Belen 500 miles
Carrizozo at Ramah 502 miles
Mayfield at Hobbs 560 miles
Silver at Capitol 582 mile
Escalante at Tucumcari 616 miles
Questa vs Jal at Moriarity 617 combined miles
NMSD at Animas 758 miles

and the trip of the week

Roy at Reserve 809 miles

Week 1 Questions Marks - We're asking you to chime in on the following questions. Remember, don't hold back on answering or partaking in the message boards during the season. It moves too quickly to just lurk.

Week 1 Question Marks

• What are your real thoughts on Community Stadium in Albuquerque?
• If Estancia beats Lovington this weekend it means what for both programs?
• Which prep football team has the most to prove this weekend?
• What's your weekend trifecta (Three teams you're for sure will win)?
• What is your week 1 upset pick? Don't be scared now...

Bonus

• What is your question for me? Put me on the spot please!