Grine Breaks Down Each District 1-6A Race as Week 8 Approaches
District 1-6A is shaping up to be one of the toughest in New Mexico high school football, with all six teams ranked in the top 25 heading into Week 8. The standout teams—Cleveland, Volcano Vista, and Rio Rancho—are expected to dominate, but the battle for the final playoff spots between Farmington, Piedra Vista, and Cibola is still up in the air. With several key matchups ahead, every game will count in deciding which teams will advance to the postseason.
District 1-6A is shaping up to be one of the toughest in New Mexico high school football, with all six teams ranked in the top 25 heading into Week 8. The standout teams—Cleveland, Volcano Vista, and Rio Rancho—are expected to dominate, but the battle for the final playoff spots between Farmington, Piedra Vista, and Cibola is still up in the air. With several key matchups ahead, every game will count in deciding which teams will advance to the postseason.
Cleveland: The Team to Beat
Cleveland (5-1, 1-0 district) remains the favorite, sitting third in the state rankings after an impressive five-game winning streak. Their only loss came in a tight contest against Centennial, 35-28, and they’ve since rebounded with dominant wins, including a 50-0 blowout of Farmington last week. The Storm’s defense has been rock-solid, allowing just 94 points all season, while their offense has piled on 271 points. Their dominance in district play should continue, and they’re the clear front-runner for the District 1-6A title.Volcano Vista: A Serious Challenger
Volcano Vista (5-1, 1-0 district) sits just behind Cleveland in the rankings, at No. 4. The Hawks are riding a five-game winning streak and have shown both offensive firepower and defensive strength. Their most recent victory, a 48-7 rout of Piedra Vista, only solidified their status as a legitimate contender. The looming question: Can Volcano Vista upset Cleveland for the district crown? Even if they can’t, they’re aiming to secure second place and, potentially, a first-round bye in the playoffs. To do that, they must fend off Rio Rancho, who also has their eyes on that crucial spot.Rio Rancho: The Dark Horse
Rio Rancho (4-2, 1-0 district) is ranked sixth in the state and has momentum heading into Week 8 after a solid 28-0 win over Cibola. The Rams have been inconsistent this season, dropping games to Las Cruces and Centennial, but when they’re on their game, they’re a tough opponent for anyone. They’re still in the mix for second place in the district and could play spoiler to Volcano Vista if things break their way. Their head-to-head clash with the Hawks will be crucial in determining which team gets the coveted first-round playoff bye.The Battle for the Final Playoff Spots
The biggest drama in District 1-6A may not be who wins it but how many teams earn a bid to state. Three teams—Cleveland, Volcano Vista, and Rio Rancho—are almost certain to make it. But the real question is: Will there be four or five teams from this stacked district making the cut?- Farmington (3-3, 0-1 district): Ranked 15th, the Scorpions started the season strong, but back-to-back losses, including a 50-0 thrashing by Cleveland, have them on shaky ground. They’ll need to win key games down the stretch to solidify their playoff hopes.
- Piedra Vista (1-5, 0-1 district): At 23rd in the rankings, Piedra Vista has struggled, losing five straight after a promising season opener. They’ll need a big turnaround in district play to stay in the postseason conversation.
- Cibola (2-4, 0-1 district): The Cougars are ranked 25th, and while they’ve shown flashes of competitiveness, including an overtime win against Albuquerque High, they’ll need to win out or pull off a major upset to have any hope of reaching the playoffs.
How Many Teams Will Make It?
It’s certain that District 1 will send at least three teams to the state playoffs, but four or five bids are on the table, depending on how the rest of the season unfolds. Farmington, Piedra Vista, and Cibola are all fighting for those potential final spots, and with head-to-head matchups still ahead, the standings could shift dramatically. This race will be a toss-up, but any of these teams could squeak into the playoffs with a strong finish to their seasons.Key Games to Watch
- Volcano Vista vs. Rio Rancho: This game will likely determine the second-place finisher and could have major playoff seeding implications.
- Farmington vs. Cibola: A must-win for both teams if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
- Piedra Vista vs. Farmington: Depending on how the standings shake out, this could be a do-or-die game for both teams as they vie for the last playoff spot.
