Feature Friday Night Preview & Predictions for Week 10

[J Grine]

Friday Night Preview & Predictions for Week 10​

It’s Friday night in Week 10 of New Mexico high school football, and teams are battling for playoff berths and district championships. Here’s a closer look at five of the biggest matchups, with predictions and key storylines to watch. #nmpreps

Top Five Games Tonight - Bubble Week Continued​

No. 4 Volcano Vista (7-1, 3-0) at No. 3 Cleveland (7-1, 3-0), 7pm
This game serves as the District 1-6A Championship, with both teams looking to extend their seven-game winning streaks since losing on opening night. The winner secures the district title and a top-four playoff seed, although both teams remain in contention for those spots regardless. This could be a high-scoring duel if Volcano Vista’s run game, powered by younger players, can keep up with Cleveland’s rising QB prospects. Expect big plays from both sides, as Cleveland’s defense looks to slow down a Hawks offense capable of explosive runs.

• Prediction: Cleveland 44, Volcano Vista 40
• Favorite: Cleveland -3.5
• Publisher’s Pick: Cleveland

No. 19 Organ Mountain (4-5, 3-2) at No. 8 Hobbs (4-4, 2-2), 7pm
Organ Mountain faces a must-win situation in Hobbs if they hope to secure a playoff berth. Hobbs, meanwhile, looks to hold off an improved Knights squad at Watson Stadium. Hobbs’ defensive stars, including seniors Tristan Davis, Gustavo Diaz-Castro, Jacob Diaz, and Sammy Baeza, will be pivotal in keeping Organ Mountain’s offense in check. With playoff hopes hanging in the balance for both teams, expect a physical game with Hobbs aiming to avoid the upset.

• Prediction: Hobbs 34, Organ Mountain 24
• Favorite: Hobbs -10.5
• Publisher’s Pick: Hobbs

No. 23 Sandia (4-4, 3-2) at No. 17 Albuquerque (4-4, 2-3), 7pm
This game has critical implications for the Albuquerque Bulldogs, who need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Sandia is coming off a solid win over West Mesa and has taken down Santa Fe and Atrisco Heritage, making tonight’s matchup their final hurdle toward postseason contention. Albuquerque, who suffered close losses to West Mesa and Eldorado, will lean on defensive anchor Jesse Lujan and OL standout Estevan Baca to challenge Sandia’s defensive star Jeremiah Bustillos in what’s expected to be a close contest.

• Prediction: Sandia 22, Albuquerque 21
• Favorite: Sandia -1.5
• Publisher’s Pick: Albuquerque

Grants (5-3, 4-1) at Bernalillo (7-1, 4-1), 6pm
This intense rivalry, known traditionally on the basketball court, spills over to the gridiron as Grants and Bernalillo square off for playoff positioning. Bernalillo, ranked No. 30, is looking to bounce back from last week’s loss to 4A leader Bloomfield, while No. 33-ranked Grants rides a four-game win streak into tonight’s matchup. With both teams aiming for a strong finish, expect a competitive game in which Bernalillo hopes to defend its home turf.

• Prediction: Bernalillo 30, Grants 15
• Favorite: Bernalillo -12.5
• Publisher’s Pick: Grants

Texico (7-0, 2-0) at Tularosa (6-3, 3-0), 7pm
Top-ranked Texico, currently the 2A favorite, faces a formidable Tularosa squad riding high after a 39-36 victory over Eunice. While Texico is favored to extend its unbeaten record and solidify its championship aspirations, Tularosa’s in-season growth has turned this into a highly anticipated matchup. The Wildcats’ defense will need to step up to keep Texico’s offense in check and maintain a close score.

• Prediction: Texico 37, Tularosa 24
• Favorite: Texico -13.5
• Publisher’s Pick: Texico

Additional Friday Night Predictions for Week 10​

6A Football

• Carlsbad (4-4) at Las Cruces (6-2), 7pm
  • Prediction: Las Cruces 28, Carlsbad 17
  • Favorite: Las Cruces -10.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Las Cruces
• Centennial (8-0) at Clovis (0-8), 7pm
  • Prediction: Centennial 49, Clovis 7
  • Favorite: Centennial -42.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Centennial
• La Cueva (8-0) at Santa Fe (2-6), 7pm
  • Prediction: La Cueva 45, Santa Fe 10
  • Favorite: La Cueva -34.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: La Cueva
• Piedra Vista (1-7) at Cibola (2-6), 7pm
  • Prediction: Cibola 20, Piedra Vista 14
  • Favorite: Cibola -5.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Cibola
• Rio Rancho (5-3) at Farmington (4-4), 7pm
  • Prediction: Rio Rancho 31, Farmington 24
  • Favorite: Rio Rancho -6.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Rio Rancho

5A Football

• Artesia (5-3) at Goddard (2-6), 7pm
  • Prediction: Artesia 35, Goddard 14
  • Favorite: Artesia -14.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Artesia
• Del Norte (1-7) at Miyamura (5-3), 7pm
  • Prediction: Miyamura 38, Del Norte 12
  • Favorite: Miyamura -18.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Miyamura
• Deming (6-2) at Lovington (5-3), 6pm
  • Prediction: Deming 28, Lovington 24
  • Favorite: Deming -3.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Deming
• Rio Grande (0-7) at Belen (2-5), 7pm
  • Prediction: Belen 31, Rio Grande 7
  • Favorite: Belen -23.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Belen
• Santa Teresa (1-7) at Gadsden (6-2), 7pm
  • Prediction: Gadsden 32, Santa Teresa 10
  • Favorite: Gadsden -16.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Gadsden
• Valley (3-5) at Los Alamos (5-3), 7pm
  • Prediction: Los Alamos 27, Valley 21
  • Favorite: Los Alamos -5.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Los Alamos

4A Football

• Espanola Valley (6-2) at Bloomfield (7-0), 6pm
  • Prediction: Bloomfield 42, Espanola Valley 14
  • Favorite: Bloomfield -24.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Bloomfield
• Kirtland Central (1-7) at Aztec (0-7), 6pm
  • Prediction: Kirtland Central 20, Aztec 13
  • Favorite: Kirtland Central -4.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Kirtland Central
• Manzano (5-3) at Silver (3-6), 7pm
  • Prediction: Manzano 28, Silver 20
  • Favorite: Manzano -7.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Manzano
• Taos (5-3) at Moriarty (3-5), 6pm
  • Prediction: Taos 24, Moriarty 17
  • Favorite: Taos -5.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Taos
• Valencia (6-2) at St. Pius X (6-2), 7pm - Wilson Stadium
  • Prediction: St. Pius X 31, Valencia 21
  • Favorite: St. Pius X -8.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: St. Pius X

3A Football

• Gallup (1-7) at Crownpoint (4-4)
  • Prediction: Crownpoint 35, Gallup 6
  • Favorite: Crownpoint -28.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Crownpoint
• Hatch Valley (5-3) at Dexter (9-0)
  • Prediction: Dexter 43, Hatch Valley 17
  • Favorite: Dexter -25.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Dexter
• NMMI (6-2) at Hot Springs (4-4)
  • Prediction: NMMI 28, Hot Springs 20
  • Favorite: NMMI -7.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: NMMI
• Shiprock (0-7) at Zuni (2-6)
  • Prediction: Zuni 22, Shiprock 6
  • Favorite: Zuni -15.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Zuni
• St. Michael’s (8-0) at Pojoaque Valley (5-3)
  • Prediction: St. Michael’s 45, Pojoaque Valley 7
  • Favorite: St. Michael’s -35.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: St. Michael’s
• Tohatchi (5-3) at Santa Fe Indian (1-8)
  • Prediction: Tohatchi 31, Santa Fe Indian 7
  • Favorite: Tohatchi -23.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Tohatchi

2A Football

• Eunice (5-3) at Jal (2-6)
  • Prediction: Eunice 38, Jal 12
  • Favorite: Eunice -24.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Eunice
• Hozho Academy (4-4) at Laguna-Acoma (3-4)
  • Prediction: Hozho Academy 26, Laguna-Acoma 14
  • Favorite: Hozho Academy -12.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Hozho Academy
• Raton (4-4) at Santa Rosa (5-3)
  • Prediction: Santa Rosa 27, Raton 13
  • Favorite: Santa Rosa -9.5
  • Publisher’s Pick: Santa Rosa