2019 Preseason: Mohs Hardness Scale of Title Contenders
It's back. My popular (or unpopular) opinion. One thing is for certain is that it is NMPreps.com's own original. Last season, we introduced the feature during week 7 and like any prediction - we were close (some really wrong) but overall it was worth the fun.
TOP TIER - THE 6A FAVORITES
Diamond (Scale Number 10)
Group: Cleveland (1-6A), La Cueva (2-6A)
Hardness: Typically, we'd like to put one team in the slot. This preseason we are entering our Mohs Hardness Scale like most teams and giving a little extra love and hope, all teams are 0-0 at this point. These two are the consensus to return to the title game rematch.
Corundum (Scale Number 9)
Group: Volcano Vista (1-6A)
Hardness: The Hawks are preseason ranked in the top-four and looking to have one of their most successful years. Plenty of hype but plenty of returning talent.
Topaz (Scale Number 8)
Group: Rio Rancho (1-6A), Clovis (2-6A)
Hardness: Two teams that will get to square off this season and early on. The winner stays in the conversation and the loser falls into the second tier. Both have some under-the-radar talent compared to the three above. Keep an eye out and could be a big winner taking them now (buy/sell debate).
NEXT TIER - 6A DARK HORSES
Quartz (Scale Number 7)
Group: Las Cruces (3-6A), Centennial (3-6A)
Hardness: Who wins district 3 this season? The winner could be in position for a 4 or 5 seed and put them in a nice situation.
Orthoclase (Scale Number 6)
Group: Eldorado (2-6A), Mayfield (3-6A)
Hardness: Dark horse or unknown. A few nice key pieces and both teams that could have some buying low and maybe paying off big. Mayfield has a quarterback that is ready to join the conversation. The new OC for Eldorado could create a spark for a well run program.
TIER III - SLEEPERS
Apatite (Scale Number 5)
Group: Hobbs (3-6A), Manzano (2-6A)
Hardness: Hobbs will have a new head coach that hasn't lost a game in two years and has some bling with a pair of titles at nearby Eunice. Manzano removed the interim tag from their head coach and is now ready to have a breakout type of season. Who is the QB for either program is the question going into the season.
Flourite (Scale Number 4)
Group: Sandia (2-6A)
Hardness: New head coach, new energy for the Sandia Matadors. We can't forget that they will feature one of the top running backs and overall players in New Mexico this season. Close enough to talk about the runner up/third place section in 2-6A.
TIER IV - FIGHTING FOR A PLAYOFF SLOT
Calcite (Scale Number 3)
Group: Cibola (1-6A), Carlsbad (3-6A)
Hardness: These two continue to be in the 12-14 conversation together each season. Both are here again and hoping to be the last team called.
Gypsum (Scale Number 2)
Group: Gadsden (3-6A)
Hardness: You have to love the direction this program is headed. I say things are only getting better and soon, one day, they are going to be in the Carlsbad-Cibola conversation from the last two years.
Talc (Scale Number 1)
Group: West Mesa (1-6A), Atrisco Heritage (1-6A), Onate (3-6A)
Hardness: All are in a tough situation and the realignment truly hurt both West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage football programs. Onate has a new head coach and just getting things started.
It's back. My popular (or unpopular) opinion. One thing is for certain is that it is NMPreps.com's own original. Last season, we introduced the feature during week 7 and like any prediction - we were close (some really wrong) but overall it was worth the fun.
TOP TIER - THE 6A FAVORITES
Diamond (Scale Number 10)
Group: Cleveland (1-6A), La Cueva (2-6A)
Hardness: Typically, we'd like to put one team in the slot. This preseason we are entering our Mohs Hardness Scale like most teams and giving a little extra love and hope, all teams are 0-0 at this point. These two are the consensus to return to the title game rematch.
Corundum (Scale Number 9)
Group: Volcano Vista (1-6A)
Hardness: The Hawks are preseason ranked in the top-four and looking to have one of their most successful years. Plenty of hype but plenty of returning talent.
Topaz (Scale Number 8)
Group: Rio Rancho (1-6A), Clovis (2-6A)
Hardness: Two teams that will get to square off this season and early on. The winner stays in the conversation and the loser falls into the second tier. Both have some under-the-radar talent compared to the three above. Keep an eye out and could be a big winner taking them now (buy/sell debate).
NEXT TIER - 6A DARK HORSES
Quartz (Scale Number 7)
Group: Las Cruces (3-6A), Centennial (3-6A)
Hardness: Who wins district 3 this season? The winner could be in position for a 4 or 5 seed and put them in a nice situation.
Orthoclase (Scale Number 6)
Group: Eldorado (2-6A), Mayfield (3-6A)
Hardness: Dark horse or unknown. A few nice key pieces and both teams that could have some buying low and maybe paying off big. Mayfield has a quarterback that is ready to join the conversation. The new OC for Eldorado could create a spark for a well run program.
TIER III - SLEEPERS
Apatite (Scale Number 5)
Group: Hobbs (3-6A), Manzano (2-6A)
Hardness: Hobbs will have a new head coach that hasn't lost a game in two years and has some bling with a pair of titles at nearby Eunice. Manzano removed the interim tag from their head coach and is now ready to have a breakout type of season. Who is the QB for either program is the question going into the season.
Flourite (Scale Number 4)
Group: Sandia (2-6A)
Hardness: New head coach, new energy for the Sandia Matadors. We can't forget that they will feature one of the top running backs and overall players in New Mexico this season. Close enough to talk about the runner up/third place section in 2-6A.
TIER IV - FIGHTING FOR A PLAYOFF SLOT
Calcite (Scale Number 3)
Group: Cibola (1-6A), Carlsbad (3-6A)
Hardness: These two continue to be in the 12-14 conversation together each season. Both are here again and hoping to be the last team called.
Gypsum (Scale Number 2)
Group: Gadsden (3-6A)
Hardness: You have to love the direction this program is headed. I say things are only getting better and soon, one day, they are going to be in the Carlsbad-Cibola conversation from the last two years.
Talc (Scale Number 1)
Group: West Mesa (1-6A), Atrisco Heritage (1-6A), Onate (3-6A)
Hardness: All are in a tough situation and the realignment truly hurt both West Mesa and Atrisco Heritage football programs. Onate has a new head coach and just getting things started.
