No. 1 La Cueva Bears (0-0) vs No. 9 Volcano Vista Hawks (0-0)
Location: Albuquerque, NMTime: 7:00 pm
| FAVORITE | LINE | SCORE PREDICTION | GRINE'S PICK |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Cueva | La Cueva, -21.5 | La Cueva 42, Volcano Vista 17 | La Cueva |
Preview:
The La Cueva Bears enter the 2024 season as the defending 6A state champions, and they’re looking to pick up right where they left off. Last year, they faced a rocky start, going 0-3 after a forfeit to Rio Rancho and losses to Cleveland and Centennial. However, the Bears regrouped, winning 10 straight games en route to the state title. This year’s squad is packed with talent, including three Division I commits: quarterback Cameron Dyer (2025), linebacker Mason Posa (2025), and wide receiver Mark Handy (2025). Complementing these stars are key contributors like running back Cheeto Lumbrera III (2025), linebacker Nick Mertz (2025), lineman Carlos Barela (2025), and cornerback Skyler Sargent (2026). With such a stacked roster, La Cueva is expected to be a dominant force once again, with predictions pointing to a possible 10-0 or 9-1 finish and a No. 1 seed in the 2024 state playoffs.
Volcano Vista, ranked No. 9 in the NMPreps preseason rankings, had a solid 2023 season, finishing 7-4 overall. They started strong with three consecutive wins, including decisive victories over playoff teams Las Cruces and West Mesa. Despite their early success, the Hawks stumbled against top-tier teams like La Cueva, Cleveland, and Rio Rancho, revealing a gap they need to close if they hope to contend with the state’s best. Quarterback Ilijah Hansen (2025) returns as a key player for the Hawks after a productive 2023 season, where he threw for 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 337 rushing yards and 6 rushing scores. However, Volcano Vista faces the challenge of replacing last season’s top running back and filling key defensive positions, though they still have a standout in linebacker Adam Jaramillo (2025).
Final Take:
This matchup features the high-powered La Cueva offense and experienced defense going up against a Volcano Vista team eager to prove they belong among the state’s elite. While the Hawks have talent, especially with Hansen under center, La Cueva’s depth and firepower may prove too much. The Bears defeated Volcano Vista last season and are likely to assert their dominance again in this season opener. Look for La Cueva to control the game from start to finish.
No. 2 Las Cruces Bulldawgs (0-0) vs No. 21 Mayfield Trojans (0-0)
Location: Las Cruces, NM - Field of DreamsTime: 7:00 pm
| FAVORITE | LINE | SCORE PREDICTION | GRINE'S PICK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | Las Cruces, -19.5 | Las Cruces 40, Mayfield 20 | Las Cruces |
Preview:
The Las Cruces Bulldawgs are coming into the 2024 season with high expectations after a roller-coaster 2023 campaign that saw them reach the 6A state semifinals. The Bulldawgs started last season 0-4 but turned their fortunes around with a statement 44-7 win over Mayfield, sparking a five-game winning streak and ultimately finishing with a 7-6 overall record. With a 66-33 loss to La Cueva in the semifinals still fresh, Las Cruces is poised for redemption this year, led by an explosive offense featuring standout wide receiver Nate Libby (2025), quarterback Gunnar Guardiola (2026), and running back Daniel Amaro (2026). NMPreps predicts the Bulldawgs to finish the regular season with a 10-0 or 9-1 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the state playoffs. Key matchups to watch include early-season showdowns against Volcano Vista, Rio Rancho, and Cleveland, as well as a must-see rivalry game against Centennial to close out the regular season.
The Mayfield Trojans, ranked No. 21 in the NMPreps preseason rankings, return a strong core of players for 2024 under second-year head coach Gary Bradley. Leading the charge is quarterback and linebacker Luke Linnan, who, in his second season as the starting QB, threw for 1,291 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2023. He also led the team with five rushing touchdowns. The Trojans' offense will rely on key returning seniors like RB/DB Justin Madrid, WR/DB Zaiden Salcido, RB/DB Anthony Nevarez, WR/LB Peyton Darden, TE/DE Andreas Garay, and OL/DL Brayan Mendoza. Salcido led all Mayfield returners with nearly 400 receiving yards, while Darden, who tallied 3.5 sacks last season, is expected to take on a bigger offensive role. Nevarez, the team's leading rusher with nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns, will be critical to the Trojans’ success, along with Garay, who matched Darden’s sack total on defense.
Final Take:
This game serves as a pivotal opener for both teams, with Las Cruces looking to assert their dominance early in the season and Mayfield aiming to pull off an upset in this heated rivalry. While the Trojans have a solid group of returning players, they will need to be firing on all cylinders to keep up with the high-powered Bulldawgs offense. Las Cruces’ depth and star power, particularly on offense, give them the clear edge in this matchup. Expect the Bulldawgs to take control early and set the tone for what could be a very successful season.
No. 3 Cleveland Storm (0-0) vs No. 4 Centennial Hawks (0-0)
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - Cleveland High SchoolTime: 7:00 pm
| FAVORITE | LINE | SCORE PREDICTION | GRINE'S PICK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | Cleveland, -1.5 | Cleveland 29, Centennial 28 | Centennial |
Preview:
The Cleveland Storm enter the 2024 season as one of New Mexico’s premier football programs, boasting an impressive recent history with state championships in 2022, 2021, 2019, and the Spring 2020 season. Although they’re not ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the NMPreps preseason rankings for the first time in years, the Storm are still very much in the title conversation. Cleveland will be led by returning quarterback Jordan Hatch (2026), who threw for 1,657 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. The team does have some significant holes to fill, including the loss of top recruit Stratton Shufelt (UTEP), key wide receivers, and a running back who rushed for over 1,600 yards and 25 touchdowns. However, the Storm remain loaded with talent, featuring standout players like tackle Moses Sparks Jr. (2026), defensive end/defensive tackle Psalmon Kegler (2025), and safety AJ Manning (2025). NMPreps projects Cleveland to finish the season with an 8-2 or 9-1 record, with running back Isaiah Yannis (2025), wide receiver Angel Gallegos (2025), and wide receiver Michael Haynes (2025) expected to step up and make significant contributions.
On the other side, the Centennial Hawks are coming off a strong 2023 season where they finished 7-3, capturing a district championship and reaching the 6A quarterfinals. After starting the season 0-2, the Hawks turned things around with seven straight wins and look to build on that momentum this year. Centennial faces the challenge of replacing standout quarterback Daniel Hernandez, but they have the pieces in place to remain a top contender. NMSU prospect Zaiden Davis returns after a versatile 2023 season in which he passed for 512 yards, rushed for 805 yards, and scored 15 total touchdowns. Davis also made an impact on defense, recording 44 tackles as a linebacker. Running backs Rudy Rios (2025) and Anthony Villa (2026) are expected to share the workload in the backfield, while Top-20 player wide receiver John Lucas is poised for a breakout season, alongside Ralph Silva (2026). Defensively, the Hawks will need to address the gaps left by graduating key players, but linebacker Omar Terrones (2025) is set to anchor the unit, with Omar Sanchez (2025) already attracting next-level offers as a must-see prospect.
Final Take:
This matchup between two top-5 teams in the NMPreps rankings has all the makings of an early-season classic. Cleveland’s high-powered offense, led by Jordan Hatch, will be tested by a Centennial team eager to prove they belong among the state’s elite. The Hawks, with Zaiden Davis leading the charge on both sides of the ball, have the talent and versatility to challenge Cleveland in what could be a tightly contested game. While the Storm have the home-field advantage and the pedigree of a championship-caliber team, Centennial is hungry to make a statement and might just pull off the upset in this one.
No. 5 Artesia Bulldogs (0-0) vs No. 18 Carlsbad Cavemen (0-0)
Location: Artesia, NM - Bulldog BowlTime: 7:00 pm
| FAVORITE | LINE | SCORE PREDICTION | GRINE'S PICK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artesia | Artesia, -11.5 | Artesia 33, Carlsbad 24 | Artesia |
Preview:
The Artesia Bulldogs, coming off back-to-back state championships, are set to begin their 2024 season with the highly anticipated Eddy County Rivalry against the Carlsbad Cavemen. Head coach Jeremy Maupin emphasized the significance of this opener, saying, “Really excited for the opportunity to play a quality opponent this Friday. All the long spring, summer, and two-a-days practices culminate to Friday night and the start of the season. We hope to get things started the right way by playing a clean game and competing our tails off.”
Despite the loss of star quarterback Nye Estrada, who threw for over 2,400 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, the Bulldogs remain a potent force. Returning players like running back Frankie Galindo (2025), who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 25 touchdowns, and wide receiver Ethan Conn (2025), who recorded 900 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, ensure that Artesia’s offense will continue to be a high-octane unit. The Bulldogs are favorites once again to make a deep playoff run, and they’ll be looking to start their season strong against their long-time rivals.
The Carlbsad Cavemen, meanwhile, are aiming to rebound from a challenging 2-8 season in 2023. Junior quarterback Kason Perez, who passed for 1,288 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, returns to lead the offense. However, the Cavemen face the task of replacing a key running back who accounted for nearly 1,200 yards last year. Perez will look to connect with returning receivers Ian Sandoval and Roberto Castaneda (2026) to jumpstart the offense. On defense, Carlsbad will rely on the leadership of Diego Ramirez and Bubba Anderson (2025), with Anderson coming off a 63-tackle season. The Cavemen know they’ll need a complete team effort to challenge Artesia in this rivalry game.
Final Take:
The Eddy County Rivalry is always a highlight of the high school football season, and this year’s matchup promises to be another exciting chapter. Artesia’s experience and depth, coupled with their explosive offense, give them the edge heading into this game. Carlsbad will need to capitalize on every opportunity and play their best football to keep the game close. While the Cavemen may have improved from last season, the Bulldogs are poised to kick off their season with a win, setting the stage for another potential championship run.
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