NMPreps New Mexico High School Football Friday Night Recaps
Tonight, we delve into the riveting 2023 New Mexico high school football quarterfinals, unpacking the top plays and the standout game of the night between Las Cruces and Centennial. Notably, the 5-seeds managed to clinch two out of three games, underlining an evening filled with gripping matchups. The top seeds, Cleveland in the 6A and Roswell in the 5A, surged forward effortlessly with commanding victories. Not to be overlooked, NMMI eMbarked on a lengthy bus journey to Las Vegas, emerging triumphant. Here's our recap of the night of New Mexico high school football action.
#1 Cleveland 45, #8 Hobbs 0 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a resounding display of dominance, the #1 seeded Cleveland Storm delivered an emphatic 45-0 victory over the #8 seeded Hobbs Eagles in the 6A Quarterfinal. The Storm's offense led the charge from the onset, setting the tone for the game. RB Harris Mbueha struck first with a powerful 2-yard touchdown, swiftly followed by QB Jordan Hatch's pinpoint pass to Angel Gallegos, extending the lead to 14-0 in the second quater.
Hatch continued his aerial assault, connecting with Karter Weddle for yet another touchdown. The Storm's relentless offense proved too much for the Eagles, as Mbueha made a spectacular 56-yard scoring run, amplifying Cleveland's lead to 31-0 in the third quarter.
Not content with their commanding lead, Hatch orchestrated two more touchdown passes: one to Weddle, this time from 4 yards out, taking the score to 38-0, and another to Jaeden Davis from 29 yards, capping off the night with an impressive 45-0 victory for Cleveland.
This victory marks Cleveland's outstanding post season surge and sets the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal showdown with the 5th-seeded Rio Rancho Rams.
#3 La Cueva 45, #11 Farmington 6 - Final - 6A Quartfinal
The #3 seeded La Cueva Bears demonstrated their dominance in a commanding 45-6 victory over the #11 seeded Farmington in the 6A Quarterfinals. The Bears were quick to establish their authority, led by an outstanding performance from quarterback Cam Dyer. Dyer's exceptional play began with a 40-yard QB keeper, propelling La Cueva to an early 7-0 lead, aided by a Nick Mertz interception. In a display of his remarkable skill, Dyer dashed 30 yards for another touchdown, expanding the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter.
Capitalizing on Farmington's turnovers, the Bears capitalized on short field possessions, cementing their dominance. Dyer's astounding performance continued as he notched his third rushing touchdown in the 4th quarter, culminating in a commanding 38-6 lead for La Cueva. The Bears' powerful defense lived up to its reputation, shutting down Farmington and solidifying their dominance on the field.
Dyer's exceptional game, marked by three rushing touchdowns, was emblematic of La Cueva's all-around excellence. The team's stellar performance now sets the stage for an intriguing semifinal clash against the 7th-seeded Las Cruces, underscoring La Cueva's status as a formidable force in the tournament.
#5 Rio Rancho 38, #4 Sandia 6 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a dominant performance, the #5 seeded Rio Rancho Rams surged to a resounding 38-6 victory over the #4 seeded Sandia in the 6A Quarterfinals. The Rams wasted no time, setting the pace with an impressive 65-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Rayce Ramirez. The early touchdown laid the foundation for Rio Rancho's dominance. Quarterback JJ Arellano connected with WR Dominic Valdez from 20 yards out, extending their lead to 17-0.
Arellano then showcased his explosive capabilities, racing 84 yards to the end zone, further solidifying Rio Rancho's lead at 24-0. Rayce Ramirez added to the tally with another touchdown, this time from 9 yards out, leaving Sandia trailing 31-0 as the 3rd quarter neared its close. The Rams continued their relentless pursuit, with Ramirez scoring another touchdown from 7 yards out, stretching the lead to 38-0.
Despite Rio Rancho's overwhelming performance, Sandia managed to avoid a shutout, scoring on the final drive of the game. With this convincing victory, Rio Rancho now sets its sights on a formidable challenge, preparing to face the #1 seeded Cleveland in the semifinals. The Rams' impressive display of skill and power sets the stage for an exciting matchup in the upcoming round of the playoffs.
#7 Las Cruces 38, #2 Centennial 34 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a gripping and hard-fought showdown, the #7 seed Las Cruces Bulldawgs secured a stunning 38-34 victory over the #2 seed Centennial in the 6A Quarterfinals, marking a thrilling rematch of their previous District 3-6A Championship game.
Las Cruces seized the early lead as quarterback Gunner Guardiola connected with WR Nate Libby for a 13-yard touchdown, setting the tone for an intense battle. However, Centennial swiftly answered as QB Zaiden Davis bolted 69 yards on his first play, drawing the score even at 7-7 in the opening quarter.
The game witnessed an enthralling back-and-forth, with Daniel Amaro's 18-yard run providing another touchdown for Las Cruces, elevating the Bulldawgs to a 14-7 lead in the 1st quarter. Davis countered with a phenomenal 60-yard pass, followed by a 4-yard quarterback keeper, knotting the score at 14-14 entering the second quarter.
Guardiola continued to orchestrate Las Cruces' offense, linking up with Libby once again for a 15-yard score, propelling Las Cruces to a 21-14 lead midway through the second quarter after an impressive 75-yard drive. However, Centennial's resolve remained unwavering, equalizing the score at 21-21 with a Davis touchdown run from 13 yards out, marking his third touchdown of the night.
A nail-biting halftime arrived with Las Cruces edging ahead at 24-21 after a Denton Walter field goal. The third quarter continued to deliver electrifying moments, witnessing Daniel Amaro's 4-yard touchdown, extending Las Cruces' lead to 31-21.
The match remained intensely contested as Davis exploded for a 73-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 31-27 in favor of Las Cruces. The third quarter concluded with Las Cruces in a slim 31-27 lead.
The final quarter was a heart-pounding affair. Davis notched another touchdown from 12 yards out, granting Centennial a 34-31 lead. However, Las Cruces' Daniel Amaro proved pivotal, culminating a 70-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, reclaiming the lead at 38-34.
In a dramatic final drive, Centennial advanced but was stymied at the 1-yard line, securing a thrilling win for Las Cruces. The Bulldawgs are now set to face the 3-seeded La Cueva in what promises to be an intense semifinal showdown.
#1 Roswell 50, #9 Mayfield 0 - Final - 5A Quarterfinal
In a commanding display of dominance, the #1 seed Roswell Coyotes secured an emphatic 50-0 victory over the #9 seed Mayfield in the 5A Quarterfinals.
The Coyotes wasted no time stamping their authority on the game. Lj Macias set the tone early with a remarkable 17-yard touchdown reception from Manny Fuentez, propelling the Coyotes to a 14-0 lead. The momentum continued in Roswell's favor as they capitalized on Mayfield's struggles, securing a safety to extend their advantage.
Roswell's offensive juggernaut was on full display in the second quarter. Quarterback Manny Fuentez orchestrated a brilliant display, connecting with his targets seamlessly. Fuentez linked up with Malachi Mitchell for a spectacular 52-yard touchdown, expanding Roswell's lead to 22-0. The Coyotes' offense continued to thrive as Fuentez found Josh Estrada for a 46-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 29-0 with 7:10 remaining in the second quarter.
Fuentez remained unstoppable, delivering another impressive throw to Estrada for a 40-yard gain, setting up a scoring opportunity. Peyton Kennard capitalized on this setup, punching in a 2-yard touchdown, advancing Roswell's lead to 36-0 with just 1:35 left in the first half.
An outstanding first half from Fuentez, amassing 152 passing yards and orchestrating three remarkable touchdowns, was a testament to Roswell's offensive prowess. Demonstrating their sheer dominance, the Coyotes sealed their victory through the mercy rule, amassing 14 additional points in the third quarter, concluding the game at 50-0.
With their remarkable victory, Roswell now awaits the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal between the 4-seed Goddard and the 5-seed Deming, as they advance further in their pursuit of the state championship title.
#3 Piedra Vista 30, #6 Valley 6 - Final - 5A Quarterfinal
In the 5A Quarterfinal clash, the #3 seeded Piedra Vista Panthers orchestrated a dominant performance, taking on the #6 Valley Vikings and clinching a compelling 30-6 victory. The Panthers charged onto the field with unwavering determination, swiftly establishing a commanding 21-0 lead over the visiting Valley Vikings.
With an impressive offensive display and a robust defense, the Panthers swiftly gained control, dictating the tempo of the game. Piedra Vista's stellar performance solidified their spot in the semifinals, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the winner between the #2 Artesia and #7 Los Alamos, whose quarterfinal bout is set for Saturday.
#4 Portales 17, #5 Bernalillo 0 - Final - 4A Quarterfinal
In the 4A Quarterfinal showdown, the #4 seed Portales Rams delivered a tenacious display, emerging triumphant with a shutout 17-0 win against the #5 Bernalillo. The opening quarter saw both teams locked in a scoreless deadlock, setting the stage for a potent second-quarter surge by the Rams.
Portales exploded with an offensive outburst, swiftly accumulating ten crucial points to gain a definitive edge. Zach Radloff's contributions, including a crucial score following a Portales field goal, propelled the Rams to a 10-0 lead. Quarterback Paxton Culpepper’s precision playmaking came into the spotlight, connecting with Braden Beck for an additional touchdown, widening their lead to 17-0. With this impressive victory, the Portales Rams have secured their spot in the semifinals, eagerly awaiting the winner between the #1-seed Bloomfield and #9 Albuquerque Academy, who are set to face off Saturday.
#5 New Mexico Military 35, #4 West Las Vegas 8 - Final - 3A Quarterfinal
In the 3A Quarterfinal showdown between the #5 seeded New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and the #4 seeded West Las Vegas, the Colts orchestrated an impressive and dominant display, sealing a resounding 35-8 victory. The game unfolded in Las Vegas, New Mexico, hosted at West Las Vegas High School.
NMMI’s offense commanded the field, showcasing an unstoppable ground game that allowed them to control the game throughout. Quarterback Cole Seidenberger set the tone early, dashing four yards for a touchdown, initiating the Colts' relentless pursuit of dominance. Alejandro Piedras swiftly followed with another six-yard touchdown, bolstering NMMI’s lead.
As the game progressed, Seidenberger once again exhibited his scoring prowess, securing another touchdown to open the third quarter, capping off a remarkable 65-yard drive. Piedras continued the offensive onslaught, adding yet another score that propelled NMMI to a commanding 35-0 lead, finding the end zone on a 28-yard drive in the fourth quarter.
The Colts’ efficiency and dominance on both ends of the field were evident, demonstrating their sheer determination and tenacity. With their commendable performance, NMMI has secured their spot in the next round of the playoffs, eagerly awaiting the winner between the 1-seed St. Michael's and the 9-seed Raton.
Tonight, we delve into the riveting 2023 New Mexico high school football quarterfinals, unpacking the top plays and the standout game of the night between Las Cruces and Centennial. Notably, the 5-seeds managed to clinch two out of three games, underlining an evening filled with gripping matchups. The top seeds, Cleveland in the 6A and Roswell in the 5A, surged forward effortlessly with commanding victories. Not to be overlooked, NMMI eMbarked on a lengthy bus journey to Las Vegas, emerging triumphant. Here's our recap of the night of New Mexico high school football action.
#1 Cleveland 45, #8 Hobbs 0 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a resounding display of dominance, the #1 seeded Cleveland Storm delivered an emphatic 45-0 victory over the #8 seeded Hobbs Eagles in the 6A Quarterfinal. The Storm's offense led the charge from the onset, setting the tone for the game. RB Harris Mbueha struck first with a powerful 2-yard touchdown, swiftly followed by QB Jordan Hatch's pinpoint pass to Angel Gallegos, extending the lead to 14-0 in the second quater.
Hatch continued his aerial assault, connecting with Karter Weddle for yet another touchdown. The Storm's relentless offense proved too much for the Eagles, as Mbueha made a spectacular 56-yard scoring run, amplifying Cleveland's lead to 31-0 in the third quarter.
Not content with their commanding lead, Hatch orchestrated two more touchdown passes: one to Weddle, this time from 4 yards out, taking the score to 38-0, and another to Jaeden Davis from 29 yards, capping off the night with an impressive 45-0 victory for Cleveland.
This victory marks Cleveland's outstanding post season surge and sets the stage for a highly anticipated semifinal showdown with the 5th-seeded Rio Rancho Rams.
#3 La Cueva 45, #11 Farmington 6 - Final - 6A Quartfinal
The #3 seeded La Cueva Bears demonstrated their dominance in a commanding 45-6 victory over the #11 seeded Farmington in the 6A Quarterfinals. The Bears were quick to establish their authority, led by an outstanding performance from quarterback Cam Dyer. Dyer's exceptional play began with a 40-yard QB keeper, propelling La Cueva to an early 7-0 lead, aided by a Nick Mertz interception. In a display of his remarkable skill, Dyer dashed 30 yards for another touchdown, expanding the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter.
Capitalizing on Farmington's turnovers, the Bears capitalized on short field possessions, cementing their dominance. Dyer's astounding performance continued as he notched his third rushing touchdown in the 4th quarter, culminating in a commanding 38-6 lead for La Cueva. The Bears' powerful defense lived up to its reputation, shutting down Farmington and solidifying their dominance on the field.
Dyer's exceptional game, marked by three rushing touchdowns, was emblematic of La Cueva's all-around excellence. The team's stellar performance now sets the stage for an intriguing semifinal clash against the 7th-seeded Las Cruces, underscoring La Cueva's status as a formidable force in the tournament.
#5 Rio Rancho 38, #4 Sandia 6 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a dominant performance, the #5 seeded Rio Rancho Rams surged to a resounding 38-6 victory over the #4 seeded Sandia in the 6A Quarterfinals. The Rams wasted no time, setting the pace with an impressive 65-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run from RB Rayce Ramirez. The early touchdown laid the foundation for Rio Rancho's dominance. Quarterback JJ Arellano connected with WR Dominic Valdez from 20 yards out, extending their lead to 17-0.
Arellano then showcased his explosive capabilities, racing 84 yards to the end zone, further solidifying Rio Rancho's lead at 24-0. Rayce Ramirez added to the tally with another touchdown, this time from 9 yards out, leaving Sandia trailing 31-0 as the 3rd quarter neared its close. The Rams continued their relentless pursuit, with Ramirez scoring another touchdown from 7 yards out, stretching the lead to 38-0.
Despite Rio Rancho's overwhelming performance, Sandia managed to avoid a shutout, scoring on the final drive of the game. With this convincing victory, Rio Rancho now sets its sights on a formidable challenge, preparing to face the #1 seeded Cleveland in the semifinals. The Rams' impressive display of skill and power sets the stage for an exciting matchup in the upcoming round of the playoffs.
#7 Las Cruces 38, #2 Centennial 34 - Final - 6A Quarterfinal
In a gripping and hard-fought showdown, the #7 seed Las Cruces Bulldawgs secured a stunning 38-34 victory over the #2 seed Centennial in the 6A Quarterfinals, marking a thrilling rematch of their previous District 3-6A Championship game.
Las Cruces seized the early lead as quarterback Gunner Guardiola connected with WR Nate Libby for a 13-yard touchdown, setting the tone for an intense battle. However, Centennial swiftly answered as QB Zaiden Davis bolted 69 yards on his first play, drawing the score even at 7-7 in the opening quarter.
The game witnessed an enthralling back-and-forth, with Daniel Amaro's 18-yard run providing another touchdown for Las Cruces, elevating the Bulldawgs to a 14-7 lead in the 1st quarter. Davis countered with a phenomenal 60-yard pass, followed by a 4-yard quarterback keeper, knotting the score at 14-14 entering the second quarter.
Guardiola continued to orchestrate Las Cruces' offense, linking up with Libby once again for a 15-yard score, propelling Las Cruces to a 21-14 lead midway through the second quarter after an impressive 75-yard drive. However, Centennial's resolve remained unwavering, equalizing the score at 21-21 with a Davis touchdown run from 13 yards out, marking his third touchdown of the night.
A nail-biting halftime arrived with Las Cruces edging ahead at 24-21 after a Denton Walter field goal. The third quarter continued to deliver electrifying moments, witnessing Daniel Amaro's 4-yard touchdown, extending Las Cruces' lead to 31-21.
The match remained intensely contested as Davis exploded for a 73-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 31-27 in favor of Las Cruces. The third quarter concluded with Las Cruces in a slim 31-27 lead.
The final quarter was a heart-pounding affair. Davis notched another touchdown from 12 yards out, granting Centennial a 34-31 lead. However, Las Cruces' Daniel Amaro proved pivotal, culminating a 70-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, reclaiming the lead at 38-34.
In a dramatic final drive, Centennial advanced but was stymied at the 1-yard line, securing a thrilling win for Las Cruces. The Bulldawgs are now set to face the 3-seeded La Cueva in what promises to be an intense semifinal showdown.
#1 Roswell 50, #9 Mayfield 0 - Final - 5A Quarterfinal
In a commanding display of dominance, the #1 seed Roswell Coyotes secured an emphatic 50-0 victory over the #9 seed Mayfield in the 5A Quarterfinals.
The Coyotes wasted no time stamping their authority on the game. Lj Macias set the tone early with a remarkable 17-yard touchdown reception from Manny Fuentez, propelling the Coyotes to a 14-0 lead. The momentum continued in Roswell's favor as they capitalized on Mayfield's struggles, securing a safety to extend their advantage.
Roswell's offensive juggernaut was on full display in the second quarter. Quarterback Manny Fuentez orchestrated a brilliant display, connecting with his targets seamlessly. Fuentez linked up with Malachi Mitchell for a spectacular 52-yard touchdown, expanding Roswell's lead to 22-0. The Coyotes' offense continued to thrive as Fuentez found Josh Estrada for a 46-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 29-0 with 7:10 remaining in the second quarter.
Fuentez remained unstoppable, delivering another impressive throw to Estrada for a 40-yard gain, setting up a scoring opportunity. Peyton Kennard capitalized on this setup, punching in a 2-yard touchdown, advancing Roswell's lead to 36-0 with just 1:35 left in the first half.
An outstanding first half from Fuentez, amassing 152 passing yards and orchestrating three remarkable touchdowns, was a testament to Roswell's offensive prowess. Demonstrating their sheer dominance, the Coyotes sealed their victory through the mercy rule, amassing 14 additional points in the third quarter, concluding the game at 50-0.
With their remarkable victory, Roswell now awaits the winner of the upcoming quarterfinal between the 4-seed Goddard and the 5-seed Deming, as they advance further in their pursuit of the state championship title.
#3 Piedra Vista 30, #6 Valley 6 - Final - 5A Quarterfinal
In the 5A Quarterfinal clash, the #3 seeded Piedra Vista Panthers orchestrated a dominant performance, taking on the #6 Valley Vikings and clinching a compelling 30-6 victory. The Panthers charged onto the field with unwavering determination, swiftly establishing a commanding 21-0 lead over the visiting Valley Vikings.
With an impressive offensive display and a robust defense, the Panthers swiftly gained control, dictating the tempo of the game. Piedra Vista's stellar performance solidified their spot in the semifinals, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the winner between the #2 Artesia and #7 Los Alamos, whose quarterfinal bout is set for Saturday.
#4 Portales 17, #5 Bernalillo 0 - Final - 4A Quarterfinal
In the 4A Quarterfinal showdown, the #4 seed Portales Rams delivered a tenacious display, emerging triumphant with a shutout 17-0 win against the #5 Bernalillo. The opening quarter saw both teams locked in a scoreless deadlock, setting the stage for a potent second-quarter surge by the Rams.
Portales exploded with an offensive outburst, swiftly accumulating ten crucial points to gain a definitive edge. Zach Radloff's contributions, including a crucial score following a Portales field goal, propelled the Rams to a 10-0 lead. Quarterback Paxton Culpepper’s precision playmaking came into the spotlight, connecting with Braden Beck for an additional touchdown, widening their lead to 17-0. With this impressive victory, the Portales Rams have secured their spot in the semifinals, eagerly awaiting the winner between the #1-seed Bloomfield and #9 Albuquerque Academy, who are set to face off Saturday.
#5 New Mexico Military 35, #4 West Las Vegas 8 - Final - 3A Quarterfinal
In the 3A Quarterfinal showdown between the #5 seeded New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) and the #4 seeded West Las Vegas, the Colts orchestrated an impressive and dominant display, sealing a resounding 35-8 victory. The game unfolded in Las Vegas, New Mexico, hosted at West Las Vegas High School.
NMMI’s offense commanded the field, showcasing an unstoppable ground game that allowed them to control the game throughout. Quarterback Cole Seidenberger set the tone early, dashing four yards for a touchdown, initiating the Colts' relentless pursuit of dominance. Alejandro Piedras swiftly followed with another six-yard touchdown, bolstering NMMI’s lead.
As the game progressed, Seidenberger once again exhibited his scoring prowess, securing another touchdown to open the third quarter, capping off a remarkable 65-yard drive. Piedras continued the offensive onslaught, adding yet another score that propelled NMMI to a commanding 35-0 lead, finding the end zone on a 28-yard drive in the fourth quarter.
The Colts’ efficiency and dominance on both ends of the field were evident, demonstrating their sheer determination and tenacity. With their commendable performance, NMMI has secured their spot in the next round of the playoffs, eagerly awaiting the winner between the 1-seed St. Michael's and the 9-seed Raton.
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