New Mexico High School Football Week 3 Thursday Night Preview & Predictions
By: J. Grine, NMPreps PublisherHard to believe we’re already in Week 3, and district play is fast approaching for most upper-enrollment classifications (4A-6A). The early-season jitters and uncertainties should be behind teams now as they start hitting their stride. Let’s dive into the Thursday night football previews and predictions. #nmpreps
Capital Jaguars (0-2) at Española Valley Sundevils (2-0)
Details: 7 PM, Española, NMPreview:
This matchup features two programs in different stages of development, but both are heading in the right direction. Capital, under first-year head coach John Salazar, has struggled out of the gate with an 0-2 start, suffering defeats to crosstown rivals St. Michael's (37-0) and Santa Fe (21-0). While they are still in the early building stages, their senior core — Angel Gonzales, Jonah Walpa, Eli Dominguez, and Daniel Rodriguez — has been a bright spot, combining for 55 tackles this season. Their task will be stopping a run-heavy Española Valley team that has gotten off to a hot start.
Española Valley, under head coach Tylon Wilder, is 2-0 and looking to keep the momentum going. The Sundevils are preparing for district play, and a 3-0 start would set them up nicely for a potential district title run. The offense has been led by standout Victor Parra, who is averaging a stunning 10.5 yards per carry, racking up 325 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns in just two games. On defense, Xavier Garcia (Class of 2026) and Nathan Sandoval (Class of 2025) have made a significant impact, holding opponents in check, including a hard-fought 21-18 win over Los Alamos.
NMPreps Prediction: Española Valley 33, Capital 7 (Española -15.5)
Grine’s Pick: Española Valley
Taos Tigers (1-1) at Highland Hornets (1-1)
Details: 7 PM, Albuquerque, NM at Milne StadiumPreview:
This game is shaping up to be the Game of the Night on what’s otherwise a quieter evening in the New Mexico high school football scene. Highland’s high-powered offense provides plenty of reasons to tune in, headlined by star running back Amiri Mumba (Class of 2025), who is averaging an incredible 268 rushing yards per game. The big question: Can Mumba keep his streak alive with another 200-yard performance, or is this a breakout 300-yard game waiting to happen? Complementing Mumba is Alex Lopez (Class of 2025), a dual-threat QB and linebacker who’s just as much of a force on defense, averaging 11.5 tackles per game.
Taos, under first-year head coach Johnny Olguin, bounced back in Week 2 with a quality 35-20 win over Los Alamos after a rough opening loss to St. Michael's (42-0). Olguin’s quick adjustments have the Tigers optimistic heading into this matchup. Taos will look to slow down Highland’s run game, and their defense will be led by senior Mateo Salazar and junior defensive back Roman Quintana. Both will need to be at their best to contain Mumba and give their offense a chance to keep up.
NMPreps Prediction: Highland 29, Taos 13 (Highland -7.5)
Grine’s Pick: Highland
West Las Vegas Dons (1-1) at Ruidoso Warriors (1-1)
Details: 6 PM, Ruidoso, NMPreview:
First, let’s hope the powers that be allow the West Las Vegas team some grace after making a grueling 6-hour, 400-mile roundtrip on a Thursday night. While this matchup may not light up the scoreboard with fireworks, it’s always exciting to see a 3A North team square off against a 3A South opponent. The Dons are coming off a tough loss to Dexter last week and will be looking to get back on track. All eyes will be on senior quarterback CJ Perea (Class of 2025), a name that’s been making headlines for years. Perea is poised for a big night, already racking up 347 passing yards and 2 touchdowns this season. His main target, Patrick Rodriguez Jr. (Class of 2025), who has 125 receiving yards and also leads the defense with 23 total tackles, will be key in both phases of the game.
As for Ruidoso, the Warriors are in the process of rebuilding their football program and community. After a tough few seasons, they showed some fight in a narrow 24-22 loss to 2A Tularosa last week. The road doesn’t get easier with games against Robertson and Dexter looming, but this week offers an opportunity to take another step forward. Running back Tru Camejo (Class of 2026) has been a bright spot, rushing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns, and will once again be the focal point of the offense as they look to build momentum.
NMPreps Prediction: West Las Vegas 32, Ruidoso 10 (West Las Vegas -12.5)
Grine’s Pick: West Las Vegas
Thursday Night Rundown
- Capitan (0-1) at Hot Springs (1-1): Hot Springs is looking to bounce back after last week's loss and improve to 2-1, which would be a big step forward after winning only three games last season.
- Varsity vs JV Matchups: Several varsity teams are taking on JV squads tonight. It makes you wonder why neither Loving nor Jal could have scheduled a game with Crownpoint instead.
- Navajo Prep (1-0) vs Pinon, AZ (2-0): Another NM vs AZ clash, with Navajo Prep hoping to keep the rivalry alive. Will this game spark another New Mexico vs. Arizona debate thread? (Sarcasm intended, of course!)
- New Mexico School for the Deaf (1-0) vs Elida (2-0): A District 1 6-Man showdown as these two undefeated teams square off. Expect an exciting contest in this unique format of high school football.
Capital (0-2) at Espanola Valley (2-0), 7pm
Capitan (0-1) at Hot Springs (1-1), 7pm
Crownpoint (0-2) at JV team, 7pm
Jal (0-2) vs JV Team (0-2), 7pm
Loving (1-1) vs JV team, 6pm
New Mexico School for the Deaf (1-0) at Elida (2-0), 5pm
Pinon AZ (2-0) at Navajo Prep (1-0), 7pm
Taos (1-1) at Highland (1-1), 7pm - Milne Stadium
West Las Vegas (1-1) at Ruidoso (0-2), 6pm
