TOP 25 GAMES IN WEEK FOUR
No. 1 Rio Rancho (3-0) vs No. 6 Onate (2-1): Rio Rancho is not only the number one team in the state right now they are also the hottest team in the state. The Rams have beat two Top-10 teams including the third being a top team from El Paso. They have put up 111 points in three games allowing only 21. Onate, the dark horse pick in the preseason is starting to play the part on a 2-game win streak. The Knights also have found some offensive weapons to help as they hope to make an impact in the pretender vs contender conversation.
Prediction: Rio Rancho 30, Onate 10
No. 2 Cleveland (3-0) vs No. 7 Centennial (3-0): Cleveland and Centennial both looking to provide us with the details of their state title contention plans. Cleveland the defending champs have less to prove, to critics as a favorite. Centennial, their first season in 6A, has yet to earn the respect with a 3-0 start. Cleveland can pour on points (111 on the season) but will also let teams get point on the board (93). Centennial who has 93 total on the season could create some issues for the Storm defense but it might come down to Cleveland's offense coming alive for four quarters or Centennials defenses being the X-factor - 41 points given up this season.
Prediction: Cleveland 42, Centennial 35
No. 3 Mayfield (2-1) at 12 Volcano Vista (1-2): Mayfield, stumbled at the starting line this season but has since regrouped and put the ball into the hands of junior quarterback Torry Locklin (NMPreps.com Week Three Player of the Week). Volcano Vista, the team that we love to pick but can't get over the dreaded hill of middle tier. Volcano Vista needs to continue putting up points but has to avoid late surges from Mayfield. Mayfield who hasn't played well on defense needs to avoid big plays by an underrated Volcano Vista offense (102 points).
Prediction: Mayfield 34, Volcano Vista 24
No. 4 Las Cruces (2-1) vs Valley (0-3): The Bulldawgs of Las Cruces are playing some fearless football this season and led by quarterback Payton Ball and receiver Brandon Baeza they create one of the best duos in the state. Valley, a mid-low tier team continues to play a schedule that is deemed to difficult this season. Valley has given up the most points to this point in the season at 146 and this could get ugly as Las Cruces is scoring one of the highest scoring margins at (112).
Prediction: Las Cruces 41, Valley 7
No. 5 Artesia (3-0) at Deming (0-3): Artesia is blowing competition out. Deming is in a rebuild - torn down from scratch - program that needs to stay healthy in the contest. Artesia has 135-points on the season along allowing 42 total points. Deming has only scored 14 total points this season giving up 97. The Bulldogs role players will become heavy minute players in this contest.
Prediction: Artesia 50, Deming 0.
No. 8 Eldorado (1-2) vs Albuquerque (1-2): The Eldorado Eagles have reached the first checkpoint and much needed game to salvage their season. Albuquerque High provides some fight but the Eldorado offense will out muscle the Bulldogs and with a smaller line the Eldorado D could shutout the Bulldog offense. Look for quarterback Matt Denis to break outside more than once in this contest.
Prediction: Eldorado 56, Albuquerque 3
No. 9 Clovis (2-1) vs Goddard (1-2): The Clovis Wildcats had their separation game last week when visiting Rio Rancho came to town. This game should restore some broken hearts with a Goddard team that is also taking a stumble after an opening win that looked to have been the Goddard of old. Clovis defense is the best Goddard has seen this season and could create the issues that the Rockets have experienced recently. The question is how bad was the confidence to the Wildcats hit last week, q quick turnaround is needed.
Prediction: Clovis 33, Goddard 14
No. 13 Piedra Visa (3-0) at Aztec (1-2): The Piedra Vista Panthers continue to look for approve from the naysayers. This game is a lose-lose situation for the most part for them. 4-0 against a majority of 5A opponents won't help, they also have to win big. Aztec hasn't been pretty and when playing Top-25 competition it wasn't polite - a 64-20 loss to No. 15 Los Lunas. This one could get out of control like a handful of teams playing outside the Top-25 this week. The good news for Aztec is Piedra Vista doesn't put up a lot of points, the bad news neither do they.
Prediction: Piedra Vista 30, Aztec 9.
No. 14 La Cueva (1-2) vs West Mesa (1-2): La Cueva has played a tough schedule with two losses coming to Top-10 teams. West Mesa has played a schedule near as tough as La Cueva but sports an identical record. Could be the game that provides us with who should get a state tournament bid and who shouldn't - throwing out the rules of DC getting an Auto.
Prediction: La Cueva 35, West Mesa 17
No. 15 Los Lunas (3-0) vs No. 18 Roswell (3-0): The best game in 5A football that will brings us back to the talk of contender vs contender with work to do. Yeah, I can't truly say pretender because this one could just be a staple in what the future could bring if they meet again in late November. The Tigers of Los Lunas bring a plethora of offensive weapons from O'maury Samuels (RB), to a newcomer on the scene in quarterback Nick Gaerlan who is stealing the spotlight lately. Roswell, however will provide a scary opponent for the Tigers. Defensively Roswell brings the right punch only allowing 43 points on the season - the best Los Lunas will have faced this season. Maybe not the best offense they have faced but Roswell could argue for being tied as they have scored 154 points on the season that could be a challenge for the Tigers.
Prediction: Los Lunas 44, Roswell 42
No. 16 Alamogordo (2-1) at No. 17 St. Pius X (3-0): Hold on, did we say best game in 5A? Well, this could bring an argument to the table as well with the 15-18 teams squaring off answering some of the much needed questions. Both teams should be late playoff teams (1 or 2 games) but could give us a clear view and understanding of what to expect from both programs. Alamogordo has an offensive punch, that is starting to resemble what we predicted. St. Pius X still chugging along as the team we expected to surprise teams. This one determines if they are legitimate contenders.
Prediction: Alamogordo 26, St. Pius X 25
No. 19 Belen (3-0) vs Rio Grande (0-2): The Belen Eagles are winning, another one will be one greater than they won last season. Rio Grande is still very green into building the program. Belen needs to continue winning in a big fashion to continue silencing those who don't think they are a Top-25 or 5A Top-6 team. Right now they sit at No. 6. Rio Grande put points on the board in their last showing, if they want to continue improving this could be a game to sneak up on a team at some point. Belen just has too many weapons to let a sneak attack more than once with an offense much improved this season.
Prediction: Belen 44, Rio Grande 6
No. 20 Carlsbad (1-2) vs No. 23 Cibola (0-3): Carlsbad received the offensive punch it needed in a late touchdown to secure their first win of the season. Cibola has been shutout the past two weeks and on their last thread of the Top-25, falling out for the first time in three years. This game could have some state tournament seed/bubble implications but maybe a battle of teams looking to the future. What prospects step up for either team as they have seen several take the reigns throughout the season.
Prediction: Carlsbad 20, Cibola 13
No. 21 Moriarty (3-0) vs Espanola Valley (0-3): Maybe a year ago this one would have had some spark to it. This season, Moriarty should roll early and continue for three quarters. The Pintos led by dual threat quarterback Dylan Tapia are still flying under the radar, even as the number one ranked team in 4A, but with being a Top-25 team comes the expectation of dominating to teams not even in the Top-50.
Prediction: Moriarty 49, Espanola Valley 7
No. 22 Hobbs (0-3) vs Lovington (0-3): The last of them. Hobbs along with Farmington and Cibola are the final winless teams still surprisingly hanging on to the Top-25 status. Hobbs is finally a favorite in a game this season with a match up against winless Lovington who had an opportunity to make a jump last week but stumbled over 4A Ruidoso. Hobbs should be able to work the offense in this contest while Lovington hopes to contain what could be a team eager to break out.
Prediction:Hobbs 37, Lovington 12
No. 25 Farmington (0-2-1) vs Durango, Colorado (1-2): Farmington missed an opportunity to get a win when they tied with Del Norte. Durango, Colorado will be much like Del Norte providing just enough to make this into a back and forth game. However, Durango will look to keep it low scoring and a battle in the second half. We have been waiting to see the exploviseness from what the Scorpions offense was predicted to be. This is a golden opportunity for that.
Prediction: Farmington 18, Durango 12
Bye Weeks
No. 10 Manzano, No. 11 Sandia
RAPID FIRE: REGIONAL PREVIEWS
Albuquerque Metro
Best Game: Los Lunas vs Roswell. Battle of two teams that could be fighting for a 1-seed in their classification.
Game We Have Our Eyes On: Onate vs Rio Rancho. Previewed above it features the best team and the team we think to be good.
Fab 50 or Bust: Valencia or Highland - Both teams winless, Valencia is ranked a loss likely means not ranked week five.
We Need a Dub Now: Atrisco Heritage vs Del Norte. This game could only help them as we end the first quarter quarter of the season and enter the second.
Searching for the first one: Bernalillo vs Bloomfield. Bloomfield is ranked 47th but not playing well, Bernalillo hasn't won in sometime.
SE New Mexico
Best Game: Alamogordo vs St. Pius X. Another 5A game that has marquee written all over it. Both ranked in the Top-25 and high in their classification.
Shaking off the Dust: Clovis vs Goddard. Goddard is on a two game skid. Clovis didn't show well at home. Who can shake the past off quicker.
Small School Flavor: Mountainair vs Cloudcroft. Not particularly a headline contest but a playoff hope could hang in the balance. Mountainaire 1-1 ranked in the Top-8 for 8-man. Cloudcroft just on the outside at 2-1.
Saving the Season: Lovington vs Hobbs. Both teams haven't found a win yet, both will lose some off the wagon. This could either ignite the engine or at least put some gas in the tank.
3A Top-10 Worthy: Tularosa vs McCurdy. Tularosa is ranked 9th, McCurdy 11th. This game has the bubble factor written all over it. This game could be costly for either team.
Clear Divide. Fort Sumner vs Hagerman. We know Hagerman of past, a known football power. Fort Sumner is flying well under the radar at 3-0. Does Ft. Sumner back up being ranked third in 2A? Hagerman sits at 4.
Northern New Mexico
Streak No More: Santa Fe vs Taos. Santa Fe Demons who are currently riding a long losing streak dating to the 2014 season could snap it with a cross classification game. Thursday night in Santa Fe the streak could snap.
Bubbling for 5A: Capital vs Miyamura. Both teams are Bubble teams for the most part. This game could play into the picture when the selection committee meets, if neither team wins the DC in the classification. Both have players Vargas (Capital) and Chavez (Miyamura) that could show why they are Top Players in 5A.
Best Game in Small School football: Pojoaque Valley vs Escalante. Surprised? Yeah, me too. However the Elks are playing good football. Escalante is continuing to play well. Could be the most underrated regional game. Good for Northern NM.
Best Northern game: Robertson vs Ruidoso. 4A football is starting to take shape with contenders and pretenders. Robertson won close last week, Ruidoso got their first win. This one could be another 4th quarter win. Should be something to excite the people in Las Vegas about football.
To the Tune of 4-0? Piedra Vista vs Aztec. Piedra Vista is 3-0. They are a heavy favorite. However, does Aztec have spoiler to this undefeated, exclusive party in them?
South-SW New Mexico
Intrigued for an outcome. Lordsburg vs Hot Springs. Both teams won't benefit greatly for any state tournament seed but we could gauge how could either team is with this contest. It's worth looking at if you love small school football. Lordsburg QB Johnny Plowman top of the QB tracker this week.
Best Game Down South: Cleveland vs Centennial. Could this be the upset of the night? Many believe that Centennial just can't hang in 6A with the big dawgs each week. Well, they have won, proven themselves and this week is the opportunity to make a statement. Both teams are 3-0. Shawn Nieto (Cleveland) we are looking for an encore from last weeks 5 touchdowns.
Planting Seeds: Mayfield vs Volcano Vista. Mayfield is playing Mayfield football lately. Volcano Vista, the same. Mayfield is trying to secure a Top-4 seed - highly likely. Volcano Vista is trying to stay playing football in November. Underrated game that might peak the interest of many.
No. 1 Rio Rancho (3-0) vs No. 6 Onate (2-1): Rio Rancho is not only the number one team in the state right now they are also the hottest team in the state. The Rams have beat two Top-10 teams including the third being a top team from El Paso. They have put up 111 points in three games allowing only 21. Onate, the dark horse pick in the preseason is starting to play the part on a 2-game win streak. The Knights also have found some offensive weapons to help as they hope to make an impact in the pretender vs contender conversation.
Prediction: Rio Rancho 30, Onate 10
No. 2 Cleveland (3-0) vs No. 7 Centennial (3-0): Cleveland and Centennial both looking to provide us with the details of their state title contention plans. Cleveland the defending champs have less to prove, to critics as a favorite. Centennial, their first season in 6A, has yet to earn the respect with a 3-0 start. Cleveland can pour on points (111 on the season) but will also let teams get point on the board (93). Centennial who has 93 total on the season could create some issues for the Storm defense but it might come down to Cleveland's offense coming alive for four quarters or Centennials defenses being the X-factor - 41 points given up this season.
Prediction: Cleveland 42, Centennial 35
No. 3 Mayfield (2-1) at 12 Volcano Vista (1-2): Mayfield, stumbled at the starting line this season but has since regrouped and put the ball into the hands of junior quarterback Torry Locklin (NMPreps.com Week Three Player of the Week). Volcano Vista, the team that we love to pick but can't get over the dreaded hill of middle tier. Volcano Vista needs to continue putting up points but has to avoid late surges from Mayfield. Mayfield who hasn't played well on defense needs to avoid big plays by an underrated Volcano Vista offense (102 points).
Prediction: Mayfield 34, Volcano Vista 24
No. 4 Las Cruces (2-1) vs Valley (0-3): The Bulldawgs of Las Cruces are playing some fearless football this season and led by quarterback Payton Ball and receiver Brandon Baeza they create one of the best duos in the state. Valley, a mid-low tier team continues to play a schedule that is deemed to difficult this season. Valley has given up the most points to this point in the season at 146 and this could get ugly as Las Cruces is scoring one of the highest scoring margins at (112).
Prediction: Las Cruces 41, Valley 7
No. 5 Artesia (3-0) at Deming (0-3): Artesia is blowing competition out. Deming is in a rebuild - torn down from scratch - program that needs to stay healthy in the contest. Artesia has 135-points on the season along allowing 42 total points. Deming has only scored 14 total points this season giving up 97. The Bulldogs role players will become heavy minute players in this contest.
Prediction: Artesia 50, Deming 0.
No. 8 Eldorado (1-2) vs Albuquerque (1-2): The Eldorado Eagles have reached the first checkpoint and much needed game to salvage their season. Albuquerque High provides some fight but the Eldorado offense will out muscle the Bulldogs and with a smaller line the Eldorado D could shutout the Bulldog offense. Look for quarterback Matt Denis to break outside more than once in this contest.
Prediction: Eldorado 56, Albuquerque 3
No. 9 Clovis (2-1) vs Goddard (1-2): The Clovis Wildcats had their separation game last week when visiting Rio Rancho came to town. This game should restore some broken hearts with a Goddard team that is also taking a stumble after an opening win that looked to have been the Goddard of old. Clovis defense is the best Goddard has seen this season and could create the issues that the Rockets have experienced recently. The question is how bad was the confidence to the Wildcats hit last week, q quick turnaround is needed.
Prediction: Clovis 33, Goddard 14
No. 13 Piedra Visa (3-0) at Aztec (1-2): The Piedra Vista Panthers continue to look for approve from the naysayers. This game is a lose-lose situation for the most part for them. 4-0 against a majority of 5A opponents won't help, they also have to win big. Aztec hasn't been pretty and when playing Top-25 competition it wasn't polite - a 64-20 loss to No. 15 Los Lunas. This one could get out of control like a handful of teams playing outside the Top-25 this week. The good news for Aztec is Piedra Vista doesn't put up a lot of points, the bad news neither do they.
Prediction: Piedra Vista 30, Aztec 9.
No. 14 La Cueva (1-2) vs West Mesa (1-2): La Cueva has played a tough schedule with two losses coming to Top-10 teams. West Mesa has played a schedule near as tough as La Cueva but sports an identical record. Could be the game that provides us with who should get a state tournament bid and who shouldn't - throwing out the rules of DC getting an Auto.
Prediction: La Cueva 35, West Mesa 17
No. 15 Los Lunas (3-0) vs No. 18 Roswell (3-0): The best game in 5A football that will brings us back to the talk of contender vs contender with work to do. Yeah, I can't truly say pretender because this one could just be a staple in what the future could bring if they meet again in late November. The Tigers of Los Lunas bring a plethora of offensive weapons from O'maury Samuels (RB), to a newcomer on the scene in quarterback Nick Gaerlan who is stealing the spotlight lately. Roswell, however will provide a scary opponent for the Tigers. Defensively Roswell brings the right punch only allowing 43 points on the season - the best Los Lunas will have faced this season. Maybe not the best offense they have faced but Roswell could argue for being tied as they have scored 154 points on the season that could be a challenge for the Tigers.
Prediction: Los Lunas 44, Roswell 42
No. 16 Alamogordo (2-1) at No. 17 St. Pius X (3-0): Hold on, did we say best game in 5A? Well, this could bring an argument to the table as well with the 15-18 teams squaring off answering some of the much needed questions. Both teams should be late playoff teams (1 or 2 games) but could give us a clear view and understanding of what to expect from both programs. Alamogordo has an offensive punch, that is starting to resemble what we predicted. St. Pius X still chugging along as the team we expected to surprise teams. This one determines if they are legitimate contenders.
Prediction: Alamogordo 26, St. Pius X 25
No. 19 Belen (3-0) vs Rio Grande (0-2): The Belen Eagles are winning, another one will be one greater than they won last season. Rio Grande is still very green into building the program. Belen needs to continue winning in a big fashion to continue silencing those who don't think they are a Top-25 or 5A Top-6 team. Right now they sit at No. 6. Rio Grande put points on the board in their last showing, if they want to continue improving this could be a game to sneak up on a team at some point. Belen just has too many weapons to let a sneak attack more than once with an offense much improved this season.
Prediction: Belen 44, Rio Grande 6
No. 20 Carlsbad (1-2) vs No. 23 Cibola (0-3): Carlsbad received the offensive punch it needed in a late touchdown to secure their first win of the season. Cibola has been shutout the past two weeks and on their last thread of the Top-25, falling out for the first time in three years. This game could have some state tournament seed/bubble implications but maybe a battle of teams looking to the future. What prospects step up for either team as they have seen several take the reigns throughout the season.
Prediction: Carlsbad 20, Cibola 13
No. 21 Moriarty (3-0) vs Espanola Valley (0-3): Maybe a year ago this one would have had some spark to it. This season, Moriarty should roll early and continue for three quarters. The Pintos led by dual threat quarterback Dylan Tapia are still flying under the radar, even as the number one ranked team in 4A, but with being a Top-25 team comes the expectation of dominating to teams not even in the Top-50.
Prediction: Moriarty 49, Espanola Valley 7
No. 22 Hobbs (0-3) vs Lovington (0-3): The last of them. Hobbs along with Farmington and Cibola are the final winless teams still surprisingly hanging on to the Top-25 status. Hobbs is finally a favorite in a game this season with a match up against winless Lovington who had an opportunity to make a jump last week but stumbled over 4A Ruidoso. Hobbs should be able to work the offense in this contest while Lovington hopes to contain what could be a team eager to break out.
Prediction:Hobbs 37, Lovington 12
No. 25 Farmington (0-2-1) vs Durango, Colorado (1-2): Farmington missed an opportunity to get a win when they tied with Del Norte. Durango, Colorado will be much like Del Norte providing just enough to make this into a back and forth game. However, Durango will look to keep it low scoring and a battle in the second half. We have been waiting to see the exploviseness from what the Scorpions offense was predicted to be. This is a golden opportunity for that.
Prediction: Farmington 18, Durango 12
Bye Weeks
No. 10 Manzano, No. 11 Sandia
RAPID FIRE: REGIONAL PREVIEWS
Albuquerque Metro
Best Game: Los Lunas vs Roswell. Battle of two teams that could be fighting for a 1-seed in their classification.
Game We Have Our Eyes On: Onate vs Rio Rancho. Previewed above it features the best team and the team we think to be good.
Fab 50 or Bust: Valencia or Highland - Both teams winless, Valencia is ranked a loss likely means not ranked week five.
We Need a Dub Now: Atrisco Heritage vs Del Norte. This game could only help them as we end the first quarter quarter of the season and enter the second.
Searching for the first one: Bernalillo vs Bloomfield. Bloomfield is ranked 47th but not playing well, Bernalillo hasn't won in sometime.
SE New Mexico
Best Game: Alamogordo vs St. Pius X. Another 5A game that has marquee written all over it. Both ranked in the Top-25 and high in their classification.
Shaking off the Dust: Clovis vs Goddard. Goddard is on a two game skid. Clovis didn't show well at home. Who can shake the past off quicker.
Small School Flavor: Mountainair vs Cloudcroft. Not particularly a headline contest but a playoff hope could hang in the balance. Mountainaire 1-1 ranked in the Top-8 for 8-man. Cloudcroft just on the outside at 2-1.
Saving the Season: Lovington vs Hobbs. Both teams haven't found a win yet, both will lose some off the wagon. This could either ignite the engine or at least put some gas in the tank.
3A Top-10 Worthy: Tularosa vs McCurdy. Tularosa is ranked 9th, McCurdy 11th. This game has the bubble factor written all over it. This game could be costly for either team.
Clear Divide. Fort Sumner vs Hagerman. We know Hagerman of past, a known football power. Fort Sumner is flying well under the radar at 3-0. Does Ft. Sumner back up being ranked third in 2A? Hagerman sits at 4.
Northern New Mexico
Streak No More: Santa Fe vs Taos. Santa Fe Demons who are currently riding a long losing streak dating to the 2014 season could snap it with a cross classification game. Thursday night in Santa Fe the streak could snap.
Bubbling for 5A: Capital vs Miyamura. Both teams are Bubble teams for the most part. This game could play into the picture when the selection committee meets, if neither team wins the DC in the classification. Both have players Vargas (Capital) and Chavez (Miyamura) that could show why they are Top Players in 5A.
Best Game in Small School football: Pojoaque Valley vs Escalante. Surprised? Yeah, me too. However the Elks are playing good football. Escalante is continuing to play well. Could be the most underrated regional game. Good for Northern NM.
Best Northern game: Robertson vs Ruidoso. 4A football is starting to take shape with contenders and pretenders. Robertson won close last week, Ruidoso got their first win. This one could be another 4th quarter win. Should be something to excite the people in Las Vegas about football.
To the Tune of 4-0? Piedra Vista vs Aztec. Piedra Vista is 3-0. They are a heavy favorite. However, does Aztec have spoiler to this undefeated, exclusive party in them?
South-SW New Mexico
Intrigued for an outcome. Lordsburg vs Hot Springs. Both teams won't benefit greatly for any state tournament seed but we could gauge how could either team is with this contest. It's worth looking at if you love small school football. Lordsburg QB Johnny Plowman top of the QB tracker this week.
Best Game Down South: Cleveland vs Centennial. Could this be the upset of the night? Many believe that Centennial just can't hang in 6A with the big dawgs each week. Well, they have won, proven themselves and this week is the opportunity to make a statement. Both teams are 3-0. Shawn Nieto (Cleveland) we are looking for an encore from last weeks 5 touchdowns.
Planting Seeds: Mayfield vs Volcano Vista. Mayfield is playing Mayfield football lately. Volcano Vista, the same. Mayfield is trying to secure a Top-4 seed - highly likely. Volcano Vista is trying to stay playing football in November. Underrated game that might peak the interest of many.
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