New Mexico High School Football 2022 3A Semifinal Preview & Predictions
J Grine
NMPreps guide to the semifinals in New Mexico high school football. The 2022 3A semifinals take place on November 19th and 20th. #nmpreps
No. 1 Socorro Warriors vs No. 4 St. Michael's Horsemen
Friday night lights in the semifinals brings us the top ranked Socorro Warriors (11-0) taking on the 4-seed St. Michael's Horsemen (10-1).
St. Michael's finished the season as district runner ups in 2-3A but feature an impressive resume. The Horsemen opened their post season with a 50-0 win over 5-seed Thoreau last week in Santa Fe.
Socorro finished the season with seven shutout wins and outscored their opponents 473 to 77. Last week they held on to defeat 9seed Cobre 21-14 in Socorro.
NMPreps Prediction
Score: Socorro 15, St. Michael's 14
Line: Socorro, -1.5
Over/Under: 32.5
Players to Watch
Marcus Leyba (2023) RB, Zach Martinez (2023) QB, Dillon Pacheco (2023) DT are the names that have played a huge role in the success for the Horsemen this season. Leyba is among the best when it comes to running backs in 3A football this season, which is an impressive group.
Socorro quarterback Marcus Armijo (2023) is one of the top athletes in the class. Armijo leads the Warriors with 1,377 passing yards and 22 passing yards; He also leads the team in rushing yards with 958 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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No. 2 Ruidoso Warriors vs No. 6 Raton Tigers
The 3A race continues to heat up and two teams with their eyes set on the state championship will square off in Raton on Saturday afternoon.
Raton comes into this game with an overall record of 9-3 and they are the 6-seed in the field. The Tigers have rattled off a pair of wins in the playoffs, one against district foe and the three seed Robertson Cardinals.
Ruidoso comes into the game with a record of 10-1, the 2-seed, but will be making the trip to Raton. The Warriors are winners of nine of the final ten games only following during week 2 of the season.
NMPreps Predictions
Score: Ruidoso 24, Raton 23
Line: Ruidoso -2.5
Over/Under: 53
Players to Watch
Raton running back Cayden Walton (2023) is the name we know and the name that continues to shine for the Tigers. Walton now has 2,968 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns as he comes off 198 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns last week against Robertson. Anderson Weese (2023) and Isaac Garcia (2024) lead the defense for the Tigers. Weese leads in total tackles with 119 TOT (25 solo).
Ruidoso quarterback Cooper Pritchett (2023) is having a monster season for his team, as he has thrown 25 touchdowns behind 1,645 passing yards. Pritchett also adds 472 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Kaden Sago is another standout for the Warriors this season with 1,538 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. The defense features a duo with seniors Dalton Trapp and Gavon Hall leading the way. Trapp leads the team with 11 sacks on the season.
J Grine
NMPreps guide to the semifinals in New Mexico high school football. The 2022 3A semifinals take place on November 19th and 20th. #nmpreps
No. 1 Socorro Warriors vs No. 4 St. Michael's Horsemen
Friday night lights in the semifinals brings us the top ranked Socorro Warriors (11-0) taking on the 4-seed St. Michael's Horsemen (10-1).
St. Michael's finished the season as district runner ups in 2-3A but feature an impressive resume. The Horsemen opened their post season with a 50-0 win over 5-seed Thoreau last week in Santa Fe.
Socorro finished the season with seven shutout wins and outscored their opponents 473 to 77. Last week they held on to defeat 9seed Cobre 21-14 in Socorro.
NMPreps Prediction
Score: Socorro 15, St. Michael's 14
Line: Socorro, -1.5
Over/Under: 32.5
Players to Watch
Marcus Leyba (2023) RB, Zach Martinez (2023) QB, Dillon Pacheco (2023) DT are the names that have played a huge role in the success for the Horsemen this season. Leyba is among the best when it comes to running backs in 3A football this season, which is an impressive group.
Socorro quarterback Marcus Armijo (2023) is one of the top athletes in the class. Armijo leads the Warriors with 1,377 passing yards and 22 passing yards; He also leads the team in rushing yards with 958 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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No. 2 Ruidoso Warriors vs No. 6 Raton Tigers
The 3A race continues to heat up and two teams with their eyes set on the state championship will square off in Raton on Saturday afternoon.
Raton comes into this game with an overall record of 9-3 and they are the 6-seed in the field. The Tigers have rattled off a pair of wins in the playoffs, one against district foe and the three seed Robertson Cardinals.
Ruidoso comes into the game with a record of 10-1, the 2-seed, but will be making the trip to Raton. The Warriors are winners of nine of the final ten games only following during week 2 of the season.
NMPreps Predictions
Score: Ruidoso 24, Raton 23
Line: Ruidoso -2.5
Over/Under: 53
Players to Watch
Raton running back Cayden Walton (2023) is the name we know and the name that continues to shine for the Tigers. Walton now has 2,968 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns as he comes off 198 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns last week against Robertson. Anderson Weese (2023) and Isaac Garcia (2024) lead the defense for the Tigers. Weese leads in total tackles with 119 TOT (25 solo).
Ruidoso quarterback Cooper Pritchett (2023) is having a monster season for his team, as he has thrown 25 touchdowns behind 1,645 passing yards. Pritchett also adds 472 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Kaden Sago is another standout for the Warriors this season with 1,538 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. The defense features a duo with seniors Dalton Trapp and Gavon Hall leading the way. Trapp leads the team with 11 sacks on the season.
