New Mexico high school football Thursday preview, picks, & predictions
NMPreps look at the second week of the New Mexico high school football season. #nmpreps
PREVIEW
Artesia-JV at Capitan (0-1)
Coming off a loss to Hagerman last week (20-6) the Capitan Tigers host Artesia-JV hoping to get on the winning side of things. Sophomore Cole Seidenberger is a name to know for the Tigers tonight.
Belen (0-1) at Manzano (0-1)
In terms of two teams that just can't wait to get out there and hit each other, these two want to forget about last week and get after it tonight. Belen fell to rival Los Lunas 45-0, Manzano 35-0 to Mayfield. Despite both of the teams looking for their first score, this one has some playoff implications to it.
Dexter (0-1) at West Las Vegas (1-0)
One game went as expected, the other surprised the masses for the wrong reason. West Las Vegas a top five team in 3A football moved along with ease over Escalante last week, 34-13. 2025 quarterback C.J. Perea had 278-passing yards in the win and should shine again tonight. Dexter slow out the gate with a 40-0 loss to Santa Rosa last week will look to rebound this week. The Demons have some youth and they look to continue the development of sophomore RB Kaesyn George who had 8 carries for 55-yards last week.
Loving (1-0) at Alamogordo-JV
After only a single win last season the Loving Falcons will look to notch win number two tonight. Second-year starter Kaleb Rodriguez continues his growth as the 5-11 junior passed the ball for 184-yards and 3-touchdowns last week. Freshman RB Bobby Parraz will look to duplicate his first start -- 137 rushing yards -- and lead the rushing attack.
Ruidoso (1-0) at Portales (1-0)
3A vs 4A contest that will highlight the night. Both teams coming off wins with Ruidoso 20-0 over Gadsden and Portales beating Highland 31-16. Both teams are ranked in the top-four of their classification -- Ruidoso No. 2 (3A) and Portales No. 4 (4A). Ruidoso features a two stars in Cooper Pritchett (QB/2023) who had 100-yards passing in the opening along with two-way next level prospect Dalton Trapp (2023) leading the team in total tackles at 13 last week. This one has the opportunity to be a hard hitting game won late in the second half.
St. Pius X (0-1) at Highland (0-1)
Tough opening game for the St. Pius X Sartans falling to Bloomfield 61-20 in week one. They'll look to rebound against the Highland Hornets who are also coming off a loss to Portales, 31-16. Quarterback Alejandro Sapien started hot last week for SPX tossing three first half touchdowns and will look to continue guiding the Sartans offense. Highland has a new name in Alejandro Lopez (2025) leading the offense, he had 64-yards passing and 78-yards rushing last week totaling 1 TD. He also did it on defense with 17-total tackles. This one will favor the Sartans but the Hornets will provide some fight.
Wingate (0-1) at Navajo Prep (0-0)
The Wingate Bears are currently ranked 21st in 4A football and coming off a 22-20 loss to Belen-JV last week. Navajo Prep didn't find an opponent for week one and looking to take the field for the first time this season. They are favored to win district 1-3A (Zuni, Newcomb, and Tohatchi).
More: Fort Sumner (0-0) at Legacy Academy (0-1); Carrizozo (0-1) at Gateway Christian (1-0)
PICKS & PREDICTIONS
*6A-2A varsity vs varsity games predicted and picked.
NMPreps look at the second week of the New Mexico high school football season. #nmpreps
PREVIEW
Artesia-JV at Capitan (0-1)
Coming off a loss to Hagerman last week (20-6) the Capitan Tigers host Artesia-JV hoping to get on the winning side of things. Sophomore Cole Seidenberger is a name to know for the Tigers tonight.
Belen (0-1) at Manzano (0-1)
In terms of two teams that just can't wait to get out there and hit each other, these two want to forget about last week and get after it tonight. Belen fell to rival Los Lunas 45-0, Manzano 35-0 to Mayfield. Despite both of the teams looking for their first score, this one has some playoff implications to it.
Dexter (0-1) at West Las Vegas (1-0)
One game went as expected, the other surprised the masses for the wrong reason. West Las Vegas a top five team in 3A football moved along with ease over Escalante last week, 34-13. 2025 quarterback C.J. Perea had 278-passing yards in the win and should shine again tonight. Dexter slow out the gate with a 40-0 loss to Santa Rosa last week will look to rebound this week. The Demons have some youth and they look to continue the development of sophomore RB Kaesyn George who had 8 carries for 55-yards last week.
Loving (1-0) at Alamogordo-JV
After only a single win last season the Loving Falcons will look to notch win number two tonight. Second-year starter Kaleb Rodriguez continues his growth as the 5-11 junior passed the ball for 184-yards and 3-touchdowns last week. Freshman RB Bobby Parraz will look to duplicate his first start -- 137 rushing yards -- and lead the rushing attack.
Ruidoso (1-0) at Portales (1-0)
3A vs 4A contest that will highlight the night. Both teams coming off wins with Ruidoso 20-0 over Gadsden and Portales beating Highland 31-16. Both teams are ranked in the top-four of their classification -- Ruidoso No. 2 (3A) and Portales No. 4 (4A). Ruidoso features a two stars in Cooper Pritchett (QB/2023) who had 100-yards passing in the opening along with two-way next level prospect Dalton Trapp (2023) leading the team in total tackles at 13 last week. This one has the opportunity to be a hard hitting game won late in the second half.
St. Pius X (0-1) at Highland (0-1)
Tough opening game for the St. Pius X Sartans falling to Bloomfield 61-20 in week one. They'll look to rebound against the Highland Hornets who are also coming off a loss to Portales, 31-16. Quarterback Alejandro Sapien started hot last week for SPX tossing three first half touchdowns and will look to continue guiding the Sartans offense. Highland has a new name in Alejandro Lopez (2025) leading the offense, he had 64-yards passing and 78-yards rushing last week totaling 1 TD. He also did it on defense with 17-total tackles. This one will favor the Sartans but the Hornets will provide some fight.
Wingate (0-1) at Navajo Prep (0-0)
The Wingate Bears are currently ranked 21st in 4A football and coming off a 22-20 loss to Belen-JV last week. Navajo Prep didn't find an opponent for week one and looking to take the field for the first time this season. They are favored to win district 1-3A (Zuni, Newcomb, and Tohatchi).
More: Fort Sumner (0-0) at Legacy Academy (0-1); Carrizozo (0-1) at Gateway Christian (1-0)
PICKS & PREDICTIONS
| GAME | PICK | LINE | PREDICTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belen at Manzano | Manzano | Manzano, -1.5 | Manzano 21, Belen 20 |
| Dexter at West Las Vegas | West Las Vegas | WLV, -19.5 | WLV 35, Dexter 12 |
| Ruidoso at Portales | Ruidoso | Ruidoso, -5.5 | Ruidoso 24, Portales 18 |
| St. Pius X at Highland | St. Pius X | SPX, -15.5 | SPX 30, Highland 6 |
| Wingate at Navajo Prep | Navajo Prep | NP, -10.5 | Navajo Prep 34, Wingate 21 |
*6A-2A varsity vs varsity games predicted and picked.
