NMPreps Week 7 Friday Night New Mexico High School Football Preview and Predictions
It’s Friday night in New Mexico, and we’re officially in the heart of district play! With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, we take a look at the key matchups across the state, highlighting the teams battling for postseason positioning.
Favorites and Underdogs
It’s Friday night in New Mexico, and we’re officially in the heart of district play! With playoff hopes hanging in the balance, we take a look at the key matchups across the state, highlighting the teams battling for postseason positioning.
Albuquerque (4-1) at Los Lunas (3-1), 7 PM
- Los Lunas -14.5
Playoff hopes are on the line in this crucial District 2-6A game. Both Albuquerque and Los Lunas are averaging 27 points per game, with standout quarterbacks Isaac Houlihan for Albuquerque and Kaiden Reese for Los Lunas leading the charge. Expect a competitive matchup with the Tigers pulling away in the second half.
Prediction: Los Lunas 26, Albuquerque 15
Atrisco Heritage (1-4) at West Mesa (2-3), 7 PM
- West Mesa -10.5
This matchup features two teams looking to break out of mid-season struggles. West Mesa averages 26 points per game, while Atrisco Heritage isn’t far behind at 25 points. The Jaguars are led by Tatum Garcia on defense, while West Mesa’s balanced offensive attack should keep them ahead.
Prediction: West Mesa 25, Atrisco Heritage 13
Aztec (0-5) at Moriarty (2-3), 6 PM
- Moriarty -33.5
The Aztec Tigers have struggled all season, managing just 28 total points (5.6 ppg). Moriarty's run-first offense should dominate this game.
Prediction: Moriarty 34, Aztec 0
Capitan (0-4) at Santa Rosa (2-3), 7 PM
- Santa Rosa -40
Capitan is in rebuilding mode, while Santa Rosa looks to get back on track in district play.
Prediction: Santa Rosa 45, Capitan 7
Carrizozo (0-4) at Hondo Valley (1-3), 7 PM
- Hondo Valley -12.5
In a battle of small schools, Hondo Valley has the slight edge with their defense making key stops.
Prediction: Hondo Valley 22, Carrizozo 10
Chaparral (2-4) at Valencia (4-2), 7 PM
- Valencia -12.5
Both teams lean heavily on their rushing attack, but the edge goes to Valencia, who is vying for a top-8 playoff seed. Chaparral’s Manny Rodriguez has been a defensive standout, but Valencia’s seniors Dalton Muzzy, Aiden Gonzalez, and Case Ash should anchor their defense in this one.
Prediction: Valencia 22, Chaparral 14
Cibola (2-3) at Rio Rancho (3-2), 7 PM
- Rio Rancho -15.5
Rio Rancho's offense, led by versatile athlete Micah Takahashi, has been electric, averaging 36 points per game. Expect him to be the difference-maker again.
Prediction: Rio Rancho 36, Cibola 14
Clovis (0-5) at Las Cruces (4-2), 7 PM
- Las Cruces -50
Las Cruces is a top-five team in New Mexico, while Clovis is struggling through a complete rebuild. Expect the Bulldawgs to control this one early.
Prediction: Las Cruces 50, Clovis 0
Dexter (6-0) at NMMI (4-1), 7 PM
- Dexter -8.5
One of the must-watch games of the week in 3A football. Dexter’s CJ Granados and NMMI’s Cole Seidenberger are both potential 3A Player of the Year candidates. This matchup could be a district championship preview.
Prediction: Dexter 43, NMMI 36
Farmington (3-2) at Cleveland (4-1), 7 PM
- Cleveland -12.5
Farmington faces their second top-ranked team in two weeks, having fallen to La Cueva in Week 5. Cleveland, ranked third in the state, will look to start district play with a strong showing.
Prediction: Cleveland 44, Farmington 17
- Line: Roswell -12.5
Are the Coyotes still a favorite to win it all in 5A football? Roswell has consistently proven they’re a top contender, but the Gadsden Panthers are hoping to change that narrative. Alfredo Andrade has been a beast on offense, while Daan Cano leads the defense. The Panthers are hungry to take another huge leap forward and pull off an upset that would shock the state.
Prediction: Roswell 32, Gadsden 21
Goddard (2-4) at Deming (4-2), 7pm
- Line: Deming -6.5
The Goddard Rockets may be in rebuild mode, but they’re still fighting to stay competitive this season. Deming, on the other hand, has a rising star in Ryan Alfaro. The Wildcats' dual-threat QB is looking to make a statement tonight, potentially playing himself into the conversation for postseason accolades.
Prediction: Deming 26, Goddard 20
Los Alamos (3-3) at Belen (2-3), 7pm
- Line: Los Alamos -10.5
This game is on our radar as Los Alamos has quietly climbed back up the charts. After a disastrous 0-3 start to the season, they’ve turned the corner and now sit atop District 1-5A. On the other hand, Belen has been widely inconsistent, so don’t be shocked if they pull off a surprise win. For Los Alamos, keep an eye on QB Kyle Evenhus, who has been leading an offense that’s come alive lately, pouring in points.
Prediction: Los Alamos 34, Belen 24
Mayfield (2-4) at Lovington (5-1), 6 PM
- Lovington -33.5
Lovington looks to bounce back after their first loss of the season. Look for their electric offense, led by RB Ondalis Cardenas, despite being a pass heavy program, to shine against Mayfield.
Prediction: Lovington 43, Mayfield 14
Organ Mountain (2-4) at Carlsbad (3-3), 7pm
- Line: Carlsbad -10.5
This game could be the difference between making the playoffs or sitting at home all of November. Organ Mountain has shown improvement, but Carlsbad seems to be a year ahead in their rebuild. The Cavemen are led by standout QB Kason Perez, who’s been racking up passing yards and will likely be the X-factor in this matchup. In high-leverage moments, Perez's playmaking ability could make all the difference.
Prediction: Carlsbad 28, Organ Mountain 14
Portales (3-3) at Silver (2-4), 7 PM
- Portales -18.5
Despite a challenging start to the season, Portales has rebounded and remains a playoff contender. Their defense, led by Manny Chavez and Slade Segovia, should be enough to hold off Silver. Despite a crazy 6 hour bus drive for a district game.
Prediction: Portales 32, Silver 10
Rio Grande (0-5) at Del Norte (0-6), 7 PM
- Rio Grande -3.5
In a matchup between two struggling programs, someone will finally get their first win of the season.
Prediction: Rio Grande 12, Del Norte 6
Valley (1-5) at Capital (2-4), 7pm
- Line: Capital -12.5
Capital has shown flashes of potential this season, and they’ll look to build on that with a win over Valley. Expect Capital’s defense to make the difference in this one.
Prediction: Capital 21, Valley 10
Volcano Vista (4-1) at Piedra Vista (1-4), 7 PM
- Volcano Vista -20.5
Volcano Vista continues their strong season with a road trip to Piedra Vista, where they’ll look to secure another dominant victory.
Prediction: Volcano Vista 38, Piedra Vista 14
Favorites and Underdogs
| Albuquerque (4-1) at Los Lunas (3-1), 7pm | Los Lunas, -14.5 |
| Atrisco Heritage (1-4) at West Mesa (2-3), 7pm | West Mesa, -10.5 |
| Aztec (0-5) at Moriarty (2-3), 6pm | Moriarty, -33.5 |
| Capitan (0-4) at Santa Rosa (2-3), 7pm | Santa Rosa, -40 |
| Carrizozo (0-4) at Hondo Valley (1-3), 7pm | Hondo Valley, -12.5 |
| Chaparral (2-4) at Valencia (4-2), 7pm | Valencia, -12.5 |
| Cibola (2-3) at Rio Rancho (3-2), 7pm | Rio Rancho, 15.5 |
| Clayton (4-1) at Menaul (3-2), 6pm | Clayton, -10.5 |
| Clovis (0-5) at Las Cruces (4-2), 7pm | Las Cruces, -50 |
| Dexter (6-0) at NMMI (4-1), 7pm | Dexter, -8.5 |
| Dora (2-2) at Grady (5-1), 7pm | Grady, -22.5 |
| Dulce (1-4) at Ramah (0-5) 7pm | Dulce, -12.5 |
| Eldorado (3-2) at La Cueva (5-0), 7pm | La Cueva, -23.5 |
| Escalante (2-4) at Cloudcroft (1-4), 6pm | Escalante, -16.5 |
| Espanola Valley (5-1) at Taos (3-2), 6pm | Espanola Valley, -13.5 |
| Estancia (0-5) at Tucumcari (1-4), 7pm | Estancia, -9.5 |
| Farmington (3-2) at Cleveland (4-1), 7pm | Cleveland, -12.5 |
| Fort Sumner (4-0) at Questa (4-2), 7pm | Fort Sumner, -24.5 |
| Gadsden (5-1) at Roswell (4-1), 7pm | Roswell, -12.5 |
| Goddard (2-4) at Deming (4-2), 7pm | Deming, -6.5 |
| Hot Springs (3-2) at Hatch Valley (3-3), 7pm | Hatch Valley, -14.5 |
| Kermit TX (1-4) at Eunice (4-1), 7pm | Eunice, -23.5 |
| Kirtland Central (1-4) at Bernalillo (5-0), 6pm | Bernalillo, -34 |
| Logan (6-0) at Holy Cross TX (3-2), 7:30pm | Logan, -14.5 |
| Lordsburg (2-2) at Mescalero Apache (2-3), 7pm | Lordsburg, -23.5 |
| Los Alamos (3-3) at Belen (2-3), 7pm | Los Alamos, -10.5 |
| Magdalena (2-2) at Mountainair (1-2), 7pm | Mountainair, -5.5 |
| Mayfield (2-4) at Lovington (5-1), 6pm | Lovington, -33.5 |
| Melrose (6-0) at Gateway Christian (4-1), 7pm | Melrose, -24.5 |
| Mesilla Valley (5-1) at Tatum (4-2), 7pm | Tatum, -14.5 |
| Navajo Pine (2-3) at Alamo Navajo (0-6), 5pm | Navajo Pine, -20.5 |
| Organ Mountain (2-4) at Carlsbad (3-3), 7pm | Carlsbad, -10.5 |
| Portales (3-3) at Silver (2-4), 7pm | Portales, -18.5 |
| Rio Grande (0-5) at Del Norte (0-6), 7pm | Rio Grande, -3.5 |
| Roy/Mosquero (4-1) at Elida (4-2), 7pm | Roy, -14.5 |
| Ruidoso (0-5) at Cobre (2-4), 7pm | Cobre, -20.5 |
| Shiprock (0-4) at Wingate (0-6), 7pm | Shiprock, -3.5 |
| Texico (5-0) at Loving (5-1), 7pm | Texico, -22.5 |
| Thoreau (3-2) at Tohatchi (3-2), 7pm | Tohatchi, -6.5 |
| Tularosa (3-3) at Jal (2-3), 7pm | Jal, -12.5 |
| Valley (1-5) at Capital (2-4), 7pm | Capital, -12.5 |
| Volcano Vista (4-1) at Piedra Vista (1-4), 7pm | Volcano Vista, -20.5 |
| Zuni (2-3) at Gallup (0-6), 7pm | Zuni, -5.5 |
