New Mexico High School Football Friday Night Preview
NMPreps guide to Friday night in New Mexico high school football. #nmpreps
TOP FIVE GAMES THIS WEEK
La Cueva Bears (1-0) vs Cleveland Storm (0-1)
For the first time since 2012 the Cleveland Storm enter week two off a loss, winning every home opener from 2013-2021. They started that season 0-2, the first loss was to La Cueva. I believe that was coach Ridenhour first game as head coach and we know how that turned out for the former Cleveland head coach. This contest brings talent at every corner with next level talent featured on both rosters. La Cueva coming off a convincing win over Rio Rancho last week, 30-7, is the reason the Bears enter as the favorite to play for the state championship. The headline in this one is the WR showdown between Nic Trujillo (Cleveland) and Ian Sanchez (La Cueva), both fresh off a top player performance in week 1.
Centennial Hawks (1-0) vs El Paso-Franklin (TX) Cougars (0-0)
Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history the Centennial Hawks go back to back against tough competition. This one brings the Franklin Cougars and outstanding receiver Beau Sparks (1,251-yards and 16-touchdowns). Also, look for big time stars Shay Smith (QB) and Jordan Morales (RB) to be names this tonight. The Cougars went 8-3 last season (one loss to Cleveland in the opener in 2021). Last week we were welcomed to junior quarterback Daniel Hernandez (225-yards passing) and we will have eyes on the second showing. Running back Mikah Gutierrez also with a big night last week rushing for 183-yards and a touchdown.
Hobbs Eagles (1-0) vs Artesia Bulldogs
These early region rivalry games make the start of New Mexico high school football special. This year the Hobbs-Artesia game brings some flare with the Hobbs Eagles fresh off a 46-7 win over school rival Clovis last week. Artesia also off a school rival in Carlsbad in instant classic fashion (30-27). Omar Argott (2023) is the new man under center for Hobbs, he's coming off a 170-yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns. The Bulldogs also feature a new quarterback in Nye Estrada (2023) who threw for three touchdowns last week in a win. Estrada and the Bulldogs feature a core of targets in Peyton Greathouse, Bradley Valenzula, and Juan Diego-Duran.
Volcano Vista Hawks (1-0) at West Mesa Mustangs (1-0)
Some extra juice in this game as the Mustangs had a big opening night win last Thursday night. Elijah Brody (2023) a Cleveland transfer shined at quarterback adding to a group of talent on the Mustangs entering the season. Another prospect we will have a close eye on is Zebadiah Thompson (2023) a safety that accounted for 9 total tackles last week. The O-D combo for the Hawks is a special one and proved that they were greatly underestimated entering the season behind QB Elliot Pasket-Bell (2023) and Alijah Gonzales (2023) on offensive. Nathan Wallin (2023) guides the defense that really shined in the second half last week upsetting Las Cruces.
Santa Rosa Lions (1-0) at Texico Wolverines (1-0)
This one picked up steam after the Lions ran their way to a 40-0 win last week over Dexter. Texico (1-0) entered the season ranked in the top-3 and now sit at No. 2 in 2A football. The Wolverines won their opener, 45-6, over Estancia. Andres Madrid (Santa Rosa) entered the season as a must-see 2A player and he lived up to the hype with 160-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Texico features stars Cade Figg (2024/QB) and RB Alex Fuentes (2025) who totaled for five touchdowns between the two.
RAPID FIRE
The Jal Panthers (1-0) the top cat in 2A football will travel to Tularosa to take on the Wildcats (1-0). Alexavier Carreon (Jal) totaled for 143-yards last week.
The opening act to the Santa Fe showdown next week puts the St. Michael's Horsemen (1-0) taking on the Capital Jaguars (1-0), which has some hype after a mercy rule win last week. Marcus Leyba (SM) rushed for 159-yards and two touchdowns last week and Francisco Diaz (Capital) had 121 yards and two touchdowns for the Jags.
A game that should have more excitement as the Carlsbad Cavemen (0-1) look to rebound against a top team in Goddard (1-0). The Cavemen have a stud in Eli Asay who shined last week.
Sandia (1-0) and Piedra Vista (1-0) is quietly a must-see watch in Northwest New Mexico. Sandia features top ranked RB Malachi Thymes (2023) and Piedra Vista with a group effort had a convincing win over Farmington.
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
Mercy Rule Watch: Los Lunas at Alamogordo
Talent Show: Cibola at Valley
Are they a contender: Deming hosts Organ Mountain
Intriguing Game: Los Alamos favored at Taos
Capital Visit: Roswell travels to Ivan Head to take on Santa Fe High
NMPreps guide to Friday night in New Mexico high school football. #nmpreps
TOP FIVE GAMES THIS WEEK
La Cueva Bears (1-0) vs Cleveland Storm (0-1)
For the first time since 2012 the Cleveland Storm enter week two off a loss, winning every home opener from 2013-2021. They started that season 0-2, the first loss was to La Cueva. I believe that was coach Ridenhour first game as head coach and we know how that turned out for the former Cleveland head coach. This contest brings talent at every corner with next level talent featured on both rosters. La Cueva coming off a convincing win over Rio Rancho last week, 30-7, is the reason the Bears enter as the favorite to play for the state championship. The headline in this one is the WR showdown between Nic Trujillo (Cleveland) and Ian Sanchez (La Cueva), both fresh off a top player performance in week 1.
Centennial Hawks (1-0) vs El Paso-Franklin (TX) Cougars (0-0)
Fresh off one of the biggest wins in program history the Centennial Hawks go back to back against tough competition. This one brings the Franklin Cougars and outstanding receiver Beau Sparks (1,251-yards and 16-touchdowns). Also, look for big time stars Shay Smith (QB) and Jordan Morales (RB) to be names this tonight. The Cougars went 8-3 last season (one loss to Cleveland in the opener in 2021). Last week we were welcomed to junior quarterback Daniel Hernandez (225-yards passing) and we will have eyes on the second showing. Running back Mikah Gutierrez also with a big night last week rushing for 183-yards and a touchdown.
Hobbs Eagles (1-0) vs Artesia Bulldogs
These early region rivalry games make the start of New Mexico high school football special. This year the Hobbs-Artesia game brings some flare with the Hobbs Eagles fresh off a 46-7 win over school rival Clovis last week. Artesia also off a school rival in Carlsbad in instant classic fashion (30-27). Omar Argott (2023) is the new man under center for Hobbs, he's coming off a 170-yards passing and 2 passing touchdowns. The Bulldogs also feature a new quarterback in Nye Estrada (2023) who threw for three touchdowns last week in a win. Estrada and the Bulldogs feature a core of targets in Peyton Greathouse, Bradley Valenzula, and Juan Diego-Duran.
Volcano Vista Hawks (1-0) at West Mesa Mustangs (1-0)
Some extra juice in this game as the Mustangs had a big opening night win last Thursday night. Elijah Brody (2023) a Cleveland transfer shined at quarterback adding to a group of talent on the Mustangs entering the season. Another prospect we will have a close eye on is Zebadiah Thompson (2023) a safety that accounted for 9 total tackles last week. The O-D combo for the Hawks is a special one and proved that they were greatly underestimated entering the season behind QB Elliot Pasket-Bell (2023) and Alijah Gonzales (2023) on offensive. Nathan Wallin (2023) guides the defense that really shined in the second half last week upsetting Las Cruces.
Santa Rosa Lions (1-0) at Texico Wolverines (1-0)
This one picked up steam after the Lions ran their way to a 40-0 win last week over Dexter. Texico (1-0) entered the season ranked in the top-3 and now sit at No. 2 in 2A football. The Wolverines won their opener, 45-6, over Estancia. Andres Madrid (Santa Rosa) entered the season as a must-see 2A player and he lived up to the hype with 160-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Texico features stars Cade Figg (2024/QB) and RB Alex Fuentes (2025) who totaled for five touchdowns between the two.
RAPID FIRE
The Jal Panthers (1-0) the top cat in 2A football will travel to Tularosa to take on the Wildcats (1-0). Alexavier Carreon (Jal) totaled for 143-yards last week.
The opening act to the Santa Fe showdown next week puts the St. Michael's Horsemen (1-0) taking on the Capital Jaguars (1-0), which has some hype after a mercy rule win last week. Marcus Leyba (SM) rushed for 159-yards and two touchdowns last week and Francisco Diaz (Capital) had 121 yards and two touchdowns for the Jags.
A game that should have more excitement as the Carlsbad Cavemen (0-1) look to rebound against a top team in Goddard (1-0). The Cavemen have a stud in Eli Asay who shined last week.
Sandia (1-0) and Piedra Vista (1-0) is quietly a must-see watch in Northwest New Mexico. Sandia features top ranked RB Malachi Thymes (2023) and Piedra Vista with a group effort had a convincing win over Farmington.
TWO-MINUTE DRILL
Mercy Rule Watch: Los Lunas at Alamogordo
Talent Show: Cibola at Valley
Are they a contender: Deming hosts Organ Mountain
Intriguing Game: Los Alamos favored at Taos
Capital Visit: Roswell travels to Ivan Head to take on Santa Fe High
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