Feature Grine's Preseason to Championship: What’s Changed?

[J Grine]

Grine's Preseason to Championship: What’s Changed?​

What a Season!
The 2024 New Mexico high school football season, a journey that began with preseason rankings and bold predictions in January, has reached its crescendo. Over 11 months of analysis, games, and surprises, our NMPreps preseason rankings set the stage. Now, as we approach the state championships, it’s time to reflect: What has changed?

Preseason Top-5 Review​

Our preseason Top-5 teams across classifications had their highs, lows, and surprises. Let’s review:

Class 6A​

1. La Cueva Bears
   • Preseason Rank: #1
   • Current Status: 12-0, playing for the 6A state championship.
   • Verdict: Right on the money! The Bears have met expectations, steamrolling through the season.
2. Las Cruces Bulldawgs
   • Preseason Rank: #2
   • Current Status: Semifinalists, fell to La Cueva.
   • Verdict: A strong season but slightly underwhelmed compared to lofty preseason expectations.
3. Cleveland Storm
   • Preseason Rank: #3
   • Current Status: 6A Championship-bound after upsetting Centennial in the semifinals.
   • Verdict: A solid prediction. Cleveland held their ground and exceeded expectations late in the season.
4. Centennial Hawks
   • Preseason Rank: #4
   • Current Status: Semifinalists, dominant regular season but stumbled in the playoffs.
   • Verdict: Close to expectations, but playoff struggles cost them.
5. Artesia Bulldogs (5A)
   • Preseason Rank: #5 (5A)
   • Current Status: 5A Championship-bound, seeking a three-peat.
   • Verdict: Living up to their legacy, Artesia continues to dominate 5A football.

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Preseason to Week 1 Rankings Comparison​

In Week 1, we predicted where each team would fall across all classifications. Let’s evaluate.

Class 6A: Final Thoughts​

• Biggest Risers: Organ Mountain—significantly exceeded expectations.
• Biggest Fall: Clovis—dropped heavily compared to preseason rankings.
• Grade: A solid A for our preseason rankings in 6A.

Class 5A: Final Thoughts​

• Key Notes: Artesia and Roswell have dominated as predicted. However, teams like Goddard and Valley fell short.
• Grade: A respectable A-.

Class 4A: Final Thoughts​

• Surprises: Espanola Valley emerged as a semifinalist, while Aztec and Portales underperformed.
• Grade: A disappointing D+, as predictions didn’t align well with results. See below why.

Class 3A: Final Thoughts​

• Biggest Miss: Dexter should have been ranked higher. In my defense I was out voted, I had Dexter at No. 5 but WE (NMPreps didn't)
• Grade: A self-imposed B-, though we nailed St. Mikes, Robertson fell, Dexter was high, WLV somewhat underperformed.

Class 2A: Final Thoughts​

• Surprises: Texico remained strong, and Santa Rosa’s rise was noteworthy.
• Grade: A confident B+, showing strong foresight.

Week 1 Classification Rankings Recap​

6A Football​

1. La Cueva
2. Las Cruces
3. Cleveland
4. Centennial
5. Rio Rancho
6. Hobbs
7. Volcano Vista
8. Sandia
9. Eldorado
10. Los Lunas
11. West Mesa
12. Clovis
13. Alamogordo
14. Piedra Vista
15. Farmington
16. Carlsbad
17. Atrisco Heritage
18. Albuquerque High
19. Cibola
20. Santa Fe
21. Organ Mountain

Final Thoughts for 6A​

• High on Hobbs: Perhaps a bit too optimistic.
• Organ Mountain: A big riser.
• Clovis: The biggest faller.

5A Football​

1. Artesia
2. Roswell
3. Deming
4. Mayfield
5. Goddard
6. Lovington
7. Valley
8. Gadsden
9. Los Alamos
10. Highland
11. Belen
12. Capital
13. Santa Teresa
14. Miyamura
15. Rio Grande
16. Del Norte

Final Thoughts for 5A​

• Goddard: Hurt our grade, as did Valley.
• Artesia and Roswell: Still strong contenders.

4A Football​

1. Portales
2. Bloomfield
3. Silver
4. Albuquerque Academy
5. St. Pius X
6. Bernalillo
7. Grants
8. Manzano
9. Valencia
10. Taos
11. Aztec
12. Espanola Valley
13. Moriarty
14. Kirtland Central
15. Chaparral

Final Thoughts for 4A​

• Portales: Losing Culpepper hurt.
• Silver and Albuquerque Academy: Hurt our grade!
• Bernalillo and Espanola Valley: Exceeded expectations.

3A Football​

1. St. Michael's
2. Robertson
3. West Las Vegas
4. New Mexico Military
5. Socorro
6. Hope Christian
7. Cobre
8. Dexter
9. Pojoaque Valley
10. Ruidoso
11. Hatch Valley
12. Gallup
13. Thoreau
14. Crownpoint
15. Tohatchi
16. Hot Springs
17. Santa Fe Indian
18. Wingate
19. Zuni
20. Shiprock

Final Thoughts for 3A​

• Dexter: Should have been ranked higher.

2A Football​

1. Eunice
2. Texico
3. Raton
4. Santa Rosa
5. Tularosa
6. Loving
7. Jal
8. Estancia
9. Legacy Academy
10. Tucumcari
11. Cuba
12. McCurdy
13. Navajo Prep
14. Newcomb
15. Capitan
16. Laguna-Acoma
17. Hozho Academy

Final Thoughts for 2A​

• Eunice: A bit too high.
• Santa Rosa: The program is back in the title game.

We give ourselves a B+.

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Championship Games: The Final Showdown​

Here’s the lineup for the November 30, 2024 State Championship games:

• 6A: #1 La Cueva vs. #3 Cleveland
• 5A: #1 Roswell vs. #2 Artesia
• 4A: #1 Bloomfield vs. #2 St. Pius X
• 3A: #1 St. Michael's vs. #2 Dexter
• 2A: #1 Texico vs. #2 Santa Rosa

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Reflections on the Journey​

The preseason rankings captured much of the drama that would unfold. From La Cueva’s dominance to Artesia’s march toward a three-peat, we got a lot right. Yet, surprises like Espanola Valley’s 4A semifinal run remind us of the unpredictability that makes New Mexico high school football so thrilling.

As we close the book on 2024, NMPreps is proud to have been your companion for the ride. Here’s to the teams that proved us right, those that defied expectations, and the memories we’ve made this season. Have fun Saturday!

 

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