Week 2 New Mexico High School Football Preview: Friday Night Games
No. 2 Las Cruces Bulldawgs vs No. 8 Volcano Vista Hawks
The second-ranked Las Cruces Bulldawgs (1-0) head north to take on the No. 8 Volcano Vista Hawks (0-1). The Hawks will rely on the continued development of quarterback Ilijah Hansen, who performed well last week against the top-ranked La Cueva Bears. The defensive duo of Aiden Gonzales and Adam Jaramillo will be crucial for the Hawks. Las Cruces will look to their offensive firepower, with RB Daniel Amaro, who had three touchdowns last week, and quarterback Gunnar Guardiola, who threw two touchdown passes. Receiver Nate Libby is expected to be a key player again.NMPreps prediction: Las Cruces 38, Volcano Vista 24
No. 4 Cleveland Storm vs Los Lunas Tigers
The fourth-ranked Cleveland Storm (0-1) will host Los Lunas (0-0) as they look to rebound from a loss last week to Centennial. Cleveland quarterback Jordan Hatch was a pivotal piece for the Storm offense. Los Lunas, whose game last week was called off due to weather, will officially open their season tonight. They will rely on quarterback Kaiden Reese, who scored on a 70-yard run before the game was called off last week.NMPreps prediction: Cleveland 30, Los Lunas 15
No. 5 Artesia Bulldogs vs No. 17 Hobbs Eagles
The reigning 5A state champions, No. 5 Artesia Bulldogs (1-0), who rolled over Carlsbad last week, showcase their talents again against another 6A program, No. 17 Hobbs Eagles (0-1). Hobbs QB Brock Beaty had a solid performance last week with 219 passing yards despite the loss. Artesia, led by new quarterback Izac Cazares, who accounted for five touchdowns last week, will display their potent offense once again.NMPreps prediction: Artesia 45, Hobbs 22
No. 6 Rio Rancho Rams vs No. 18 Clovis Wildcats
No. 6 Rio Rancho (1-0) travels east to face No. 18 Clovis Wildcats (0-1), who are coming off a 40-point loss to Farmington. Rams quarterback JJ Arellano played well last week and will continue to make a case as one of the top QBs in New Mexico. Clovis will rely on their ground game with John Royal on their home turf.NMPreps prediction: Rio Rancho 43, Clovis 6
No. 7 Roswell Coyotes vs No. 21 Alamogordo Tigers
The No. 7 Roswell Coyotes (0-0) are eager to play a full game after last week's was called off. They host No. 21 Alamogordo (0-1) on Friday evening. Roswell's new QB Jacob Palomino and company will be on display. Alamogordo, who fell to Deming last week, looks to rebound and avoid a 0-2 start.NMPreps prediction: Roswell 37, Alamogordo 12
No. 10 Piedra Vista Panthers vs Bloomfield Bobcats
No. 10 Piedra Vista (1-0) shot up the rankings after upsetting Sandia last week. They now face a tough 4A opponent, Bloomfield Bobcats (0-0), who are eager to play after their game was called off last week. The duo of RB Brig Keiser and QB Felipe Moreno was special last week for Piedra Vista, and more standout performances are expected this week.NMPreps prediction: Piedra Vista 26, Bloomfield 20
No. 14 Farmington Scorpions vs Durango High School Demons (CO)
The No. 14 Farmington Scorpions (1-0) travel to take on Durango High School Demons (0-1) in Colorado. Farmington is coming off an impressive 40-point win over Clovis. New Scorpions quarterback Waylon Schake, who scored five times last week, will look to continue his strong performance and connect with standout receiver Michael Beck.NMPreps prediction: Farmington 31, Durango, CO 21
No. 15 Deming Wildcats vs Organ Mountain Knights
No. 15 Deming Wildcats (1-0) face unranked Organ Mountain Knights (0-1), loaded with talent this season. Deming QB Ryan Alfaro, who accounted for over 240 total yards in last week's win over Alamogordo, will be a key player to watch. Organ Mountain's quarterback Xavier Perez is a new name to watch as the Knights look to improve after a rough 2023 season.NMPreps prediction: Deming 28, Organ Mountain 13
No. 16 Lovington Wildcats vs No. 24 Portales Rams
The showdown of the weekend features No. 16 Lovington Wildcats (1-0) and No. 24 Portales Rams (1-0), a rematch of last year's 4A state championship game. Both teams are coming off solid starts. Lovington's offense, powered by quarterback Mathew Prudencio, and their strong defense, led by Kyler Reaves and Camon Ochoa, will be key. Portales' Manny Chavez, who had 18 total tackles last week, and standout offensive player Paxton Culpepper will also be critical in this high-powered matchup.NMPreps prediction: Lovington 36, Portales 33
WEEK 2 SCOREBOARD
Thursday, August 29th
Capitan 36, Alamo (JV) 6 - F
Carlsbad 45, Goddard 22 - F
Dora 59, Carrizozo 0 - F
Mountain View, TX 33, Santa Teresa 7 - F
Newcomb 26, Santa Fe Indian 8 - F
NMSD 52, Floyd 12 - F
Sandia 37, Cibola 7 - F
St. Pius X 40, Grants 7 - F
Fort Sumner at Mescalero Apache - Missing Score
Friday, August 30th
Alamogordo at Roswell, 7pm
Artesia at Hobbs, 7pm
Aztec at Miyamura, 7pm
Belen at Santa Fe, 7pm
Bloomfield at Piedra Vista, 7pm
Cuba at Espanola Valley, 7pm
Del Norte at Albuquerque Academy, 7pm
Dexter at West Las Vegas, 6pm
Estancia at Eunice, 7pm
Farmington at Durango, CO, 7pm
Fort Sumner/House at Mescalero Apache, 7pm
Gadsden at Valencia, 7pm
Gateway Christian at Escalante, 7pm
Grady at Animas, 7pm
Hatch Valley at Chaparral, 7pm
Highland at Bernalillo, 7pm
Hondo Valley at Elida, 7pm
Jal at Santa Rosa, 7pm
Laguna-Acoma at Zuni, 7pm
Lamar, CO at Raton, 7pm
Las Cruces at Volcano Vista, 7pm
Lordsburg at Cloudcroft, 6pm
Los Alamos at Taos, 7pm
Los Lunas at Cleveland, 7pm
Loving at NMMI, 7pm
Lovington at Portales, 7pm
Melrose at Mancos CO, 4pm
Montezuma-Cortez CO at Crownpoint, 7pm
Moriarty at Shiprock, 6pm
Mountainair at Logan, 7pm
Navajo Prep at Wingate, 7pm
Organ Mountain at Deming, 7pm
Pagosa Springs CO at Kirtland Central, 7pm
Pojoaque Valley at Hot Springs, 7pm
Rio Grande at Manzano, 7pm
Rio Rancho at Clovis, 7pm
Socorro at Thoreau, 7pm
St. Michael's at Capital, 7pm
Tatum at Ramah, 6pm
Texico at Bovina, TX, 6pm
Tularosa at Ruidoso, 7pm
Valley at Albuquerque, 7pm
West Mesa at Mayfield, 7pm
Saturday, August 31st
Centennial at Atrisco Heritage, 1pm
Dulce at Questa, 2pm
Gallup at Silver, 6pm
La Cueva at Pinnacle, AZ, 5pm
Legacy Academy at Hope Christian, 11am
Mesilla Valley Christian at Magdalena, 1pm
Robertson at Cobre, 1pm
Tohatchi at TBA, 1pm
Tucumcari at Hozho Academy, 2pm
Turpin, OK at Clayton, 1pm
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