Previews: 5A Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals of the state playoffs is here and we preview the slate of games for week 13 of the New Mexico High School football season.
More: 6A Previews | 4A Previews | Small School Previews
Schedule & Times
No. 8 Alamogordo @ No. 1 Artesia, Saturday, Nov. 19th, 1PM
No. 5 Los Lunas @ No. 4 Belen, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 11 Miyamura @ No. 3 Roswell, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 10 Farmington @ No. 2 St. Pius X, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
Preview & Predictions
No. 1 Artesia (8-2) vs No. 8 Alamogordo (7-4): Currently riding a four game win streak into the quarterfinals the Alamogordo Tigers will travel to Artesia to take on the number one ranked Bulldogs. The Tigers won 45-14 in the first round of the State Playoffs over 9-seed Del Norte High School. Alamogordo enters the game averaging 40.7 points per game behind an offensive duo in Kyle Hooper, QB (2,414-passing yards/27-touchdowns) and Dee Smith, RB (1,174-rushing yards/18-touchdowns). Artesia, 8-2 on the season earned the one seed after winning District 4-5A and received an opening round bye into the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs 4-1 at home are averaging a staggering 43.1 points per game playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. The Bulldogs are led by next level prospect Marcus Bramwell (OL) and playmaker Taylor Null (QB).
Prediction: Artesia 41, Alamogordo 38
No. 2 St. Pius X (9-1) vs No. 10 Farmington (5-5-1): After a (0-4-1) start to the season the Farmington Scorpions move into the quarterfinals after upsetting district foe and 7-seed Aztec in the first round 42-22. The Scorpions have a trio of players in Axel Fowler (RB), Kody Becenti (QB) and playmaker Donovan Gonzalez. St. Pius X, the 2-seed in the state playoffs, enter the post season on a 6-game winning streak led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Drew Ortiz who has a few games with 4 or more touchdowns in a contest. St. Pius enters the contest averaging 47.4 points per game but will have an x-factor on defense only giving up 13 points per contest.
Prediction: St. Pius X 44, Farmington 30
No. 3 Roswell (8-2) vs No. 11 Miyamura (8-3): After pulling off one of the biggest wins in program history the Miyamura Patriots move into the quarterfinals beating 6-seed Goddard, 26-24. The Patriots are led by do-everything quarterback Matt Chavez who beats you on the ground (698-rushing yards) or by his arm (1,777-passing yards) for a total of 32 (21 passing) touchdowns this season. The 3-seed Roswell Coyotes ended their season winning five of their last six games, playing in the difficult District 4-5A. The Coyotes who are averaging close to 39 points per game are led by a trio of running backs in Gabe Najar (883 yards), Daniel Sosa (564 yards) and Michael Ponce (323 yards) along with one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the classification in Bear Kyser (1,004-passing yards/277-rushing yards).
Prediction: Roswell 35, Miyamura 27
No. 4 Belen (8-2) vs No. 5 Los Lunas (8-3): The re-match in the Valencia Bowl takes place in the quarterfinals as the Los Lunas Tigers moved along easily in the opening round, 60-10 over 12-seed Kirtland Central. The Tigers averaging 43.7 points per game are led by one of the most sought-after recruits from the class of 2017 in New Mexico O'maury Samuels who is committed to Michigan. Also, at the quarterback spot is sophomore Nick Gaerlan who passed for 3-touchdowns and 137-yards in the first round. The 4-seed Belen Eagles, who won the first match against the Tigers (22-21), enter the game after having a first round bye into the quarterfinals. Belen is in the first year of head coach Greg Henington with an improved offense averaging 35.4 points per game. The Eagles are led by quarterback Zach Halterman, running back Diego Casillas and back Tim Bunker.
Prediction: Los Lunas 24, Belen 21
The quarterfinals of the state playoffs is here and we preview the slate of games for week 13 of the New Mexico High School football season.
More: 6A Previews | 4A Previews | Small School Previews
Schedule & Times
No. 8 Alamogordo @ No. 1 Artesia, Saturday, Nov. 19th, 1PM
No. 5 Los Lunas @ No. 4 Belen, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 11 Miyamura @ No. 3 Roswell, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
No. 10 Farmington @ No. 2 St. Pius X, Friday, Nov. 18th, 7PM
Preview & Predictions
No. 1 Artesia (8-2) vs No. 8 Alamogordo (7-4): Currently riding a four game win streak into the quarterfinals the Alamogordo Tigers will travel to Artesia to take on the number one ranked Bulldogs. The Tigers won 45-14 in the first round of the State Playoffs over 9-seed Del Norte High School. Alamogordo enters the game averaging 40.7 points per game behind an offensive duo in Kyle Hooper, QB (2,414-passing yards/27-touchdowns) and Dee Smith, RB (1,174-rushing yards/18-touchdowns). Artesia, 8-2 on the season earned the one seed after winning District 4-5A and received an opening round bye into the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs 4-1 at home are averaging a staggering 43.1 points per game playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. The Bulldogs are led by next level prospect Marcus Bramwell (OL) and playmaker Taylor Null (QB).
Prediction: Artesia 41, Alamogordo 38
No. 2 St. Pius X (9-1) vs No. 10 Farmington (5-5-1): After a (0-4-1) start to the season the Farmington Scorpions move into the quarterfinals after upsetting district foe and 7-seed Aztec in the first round 42-22. The Scorpions have a trio of players in Axel Fowler (RB), Kody Becenti (QB) and playmaker Donovan Gonzalez. St. Pius X, the 2-seed in the state playoffs, enter the post season on a 6-game winning streak led by one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Drew Ortiz who has a few games with 4 or more touchdowns in a contest. St. Pius enters the contest averaging 47.4 points per game but will have an x-factor on defense only giving up 13 points per contest.
Prediction: St. Pius X 44, Farmington 30
No. 3 Roswell (8-2) vs No. 11 Miyamura (8-3): After pulling off one of the biggest wins in program history the Miyamura Patriots move into the quarterfinals beating 6-seed Goddard, 26-24. The Patriots are led by do-everything quarterback Matt Chavez who beats you on the ground (698-rushing yards) or by his arm (1,777-passing yards) for a total of 32 (21 passing) touchdowns this season. The 3-seed Roswell Coyotes ended their season winning five of their last six games, playing in the difficult District 4-5A. The Coyotes who are averaging close to 39 points per game are led by a trio of running backs in Gabe Najar (883 yards), Daniel Sosa (564 yards) and Michael Ponce (323 yards) along with one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the classification in Bear Kyser (1,004-passing yards/277-rushing yards).
Prediction: Roswell 35, Miyamura 27
No. 4 Belen (8-2) vs No. 5 Los Lunas (8-3): The re-match in the Valencia Bowl takes place in the quarterfinals as the Los Lunas Tigers moved along easily in the opening round, 60-10 over 12-seed Kirtland Central. The Tigers averaging 43.7 points per game are led by one of the most sought-after recruits from the class of 2017 in New Mexico O'maury Samuels who is committed to Michigan. Also, at the quarterback spot is sophomore Nick Gaerlan who passed for 3-touchdowns and 137-yards in the first round. The 4-seed Belen Eagles, who won the first match against the Tigers (22-21), enter the game after having a first round bye into the quarterfinals. Belen is in the first year of head coach Greg Henington with an improved offense averaging 35.4 points per game. The Eagles are led by quarterback Zach Halterman, running back Diego Casillas and back Tim Bunker.
Prediction: Los Lunas 24, Belen 21
