Week 6: Friday Night Preview & Predictions
Grine | NMPreps
NMPreps weekly preview of each game taking place in New Mexico High School football. We also give our game predictions and outlook on the night.
TOP-10 PREVIEW
No. 3 Centennial (5-0, 1-0) at No. 12 Carlsbad (3-2, 0-1): The third ranked Centennial Hawks are off to another impressive start, back-to-back 5-0 starts to the season, and bring in their 49 points per game offense into this contest. The Hawks quarterback Aidan Trujillo (2020) looks to add to his Mr. Football campaign season as he has accounted for 18 total touchdowns (10 passing) and 965-passing yards on the season. Carlsbad, perfect at home this season (2-0), is coming off a loss at Mayfield, and looking to get back into the 'lock' of playoff teams and avoid another bubble type of season. Prediction: Centennial 38, Carlsbad 18. Grine: Centennial. NMPreps Meter: Centennial 88%.
No. 5 La Cueva (3-2) vs Albuquerque (2-2): The fifth ranked La Cueva Bears will be without the services of the top recruited prospect in the state - Connor O'Toole - but this one should favor the Bears in a big way. Austin Smith (2020) has filled in well at quarterback this season but this one could be one where we see some more carries from the running back core, last season D'andre Williams was the game changer, I don't know if they've found his replacement. Albuquerque head coach Timothy Johnson has one of the toughest jobs and he has done a phenomenal job. A young squad, that sits at .500, led by sophomore quarterback Daysean Fuentes could be one to watch in the future. Prediction: La Cueva 48, Albuquerque 8. Grine: La Cueva. NMPreps Meter: La Cueva 99%.
No. 6 Roswell (5-0) vs Belen (1-4): When this game was schedule the Belen Eagles where in their peak years. They now are in a rebuild mode with new administration and a first-year head coach. The Roswell Coyotes are coming off a state championship season and currently riding a 10-game win streak (7-0 at home in the last 7-games). Prediction: Roswell 54, Belen 3. Grine: Roswell: NMPreps Meter: Roswell 99%.
No. 7 Las Cruces (3-2, 1-0) at Hobbs (0-4): The Bulldawgs are sitting in the middle of the pack, about where we had them this summer, and getting to 4-2, 2-0 at this point is about the projection given. Saying that, they will need to flex their muscles in this contest and maybe make a claim for a DC. Hobbs is struggling but it was expected by most in the football circle. First year head coach Ken Stevens had a rebuild on his hands and this is surely to be a year in the right direction as they take the next step. Prediction: Las Cruces 45, Hobbs 10. Grine: Las Cruces. NMPreps Meter: Las Cruces 82%.
No. 8 Clovis (3-2) at Lubbock-Cooper, TX (3-1): The Clovis Wildcats are on the final game of the three game swing with the Lubbock area schools. They have played well splitting the first two 1-1, the last was close but called due to weather conditions. Cooper, however, is the toughest of the three and will create the biggest challenge. They went 13-1 last season and beat Clovis 40-2 in 2018. This season however could be a game that propels this squad into a true DC possibility run; you have to love the Jeston Webskowski-Chance Harris combination if looking to the near future. Prediction: Lubbock-Cooper 42, Clovis 14. Grine: Clovis (homer pick). NMPreps Meter: Lubbock 95%
No. 9 Mayfield (3-1, 1-0) vs Onate (0-4, 0-1): The Trojans are a quiet 1-loss team at this point of the season, not quite middle tier but not fourth tier. They should move along with ease here but Steve Castille, Onate head coach, has given some life to the future for this program. Mayfield hasn't exploded offensively and maybe this one goes four quarters but if they want to get a win in the playoffs the offense will need to match that of others in the middle and top tier. Prediction: Mayfield 34, Onate 12. Grine: Mayfield. NMPreps Meter: Mayfield 91%.
No. 10 Goddard (4-0) at No. 11 Los Lunas (3-2): Most are calling this the game of the night and rightfully so. The Goddard Rockets have been that team that we've all asked, "just how good are the Rockets?" Well, going into the season we knew they had some pieces but they have developed key players and look to be firing at the right time. Los Lunas, continues to be the team getting the talent in the Valencia county area, and have played a tough schedule to this point. They took a loss to top 5A team Roswell but a win here could keep them in the conversation for a 2 or 3 seed come playoff time. Quarterback Kade Benavidez (2020) will need to play his best ball against a tough DL that the Rockets have. Prediction: Goddard 35, Los Lunas 28. Grine: Goddard. NMPreps Meter: Goddard 55%
GAMES OUTSIDE THE TOP-10
RAPID FIRE
Grine | NMPreps
NMPreps weekly preview of each game taking place in New Mexico High School football. We also give our game predictions and outlook on the night.
TOP-10 PREVIEW
No. 3 Centennial (5-0, 1-0) at No. 12 Carlsbad (3-2, 0-1): The third ranked Centennial Hawks are off to another impressive start, back-to-back 5-0 starts to the season, and bring in their 49 points per game offense into this contest. The Hawks quarterback Aidan Trujillo (2020) looks to add to his Mr. Football campaign season as he has accounted for 18 total touchdowns (10 passing) and 965-passing yards on the season. Carlsbad, perfect at home this season (2-0), is coming off a loss at Mayfield, and looking to get back into the 'lock' of playoff teams and avoid another bubble type of season. Prediction: Centennial 38, Carlsbad 18. Grine: Centennial. NMPreps Meter: Centennial 88%.
No. 5 La Cueva (3-2) vs Albuquerque (2-2): The fifth ranked La Cueva Bears will be without the services of the top recruited prospect in the state - Connor O'Toole - but this one should favor the Bears in a big way. Austin Smith (2020) has filled in well at quarterback this season but this one could be one where we see some more carries from the running back core, last season D'andre Williams was the game changer, I don't know if they've found his replacement. Albuquerque head coach Timothy Johnson has one of the toughest jobs and he has done a phenomenal job. A young squad, that sits at .500, led by sophomore quarterback Daysean Fuentes could be one to watch in the future. Prediction: La Cueva 48, Albuquerque 8. Grine: La Cueva. NMPreps Meter: La Cueva 99%.
No. 6 Roswell (5-0) vs Belen (1-4): When this game was schedule the Belen Eagles where in their peak years. They now are in a rebuild mode with new administration and a first-year head coach. The Roswell Coyotes are coming off a state championship season and currently riding a 10-game win streak (7-0 at home in the last 7-games). Prediction: Roswell 54, Belen 3. Grine: Roswell: NMPreps Meter: Roswell 99%.
No. 7 Las Cruces (3-2, 1-0) at Hobbs (0-4): The Bulldawgs are sitting in the middle of the pack, about where we had them this summer, and getting to 4-2, 2-0 at this point is about the projection given. Saying that, they will need to flex their muscles in this contest and maybe make a claim for a DC. Hobbs is struggling but it was expected by most in the football circle. First year head coach Ken Stevens had a rebuild on his hands and this is surely to be a year in the right direction as they take the next step. Prediction: Las Cruces 45, Hobbs 10. Grine: Las Cruces. NMPreps Meter: Las Cruces 82%.
No. 8 Clovis (3-2) at Lubbock-Cooper, TX (3-1): The Clovis Wildcats are on the final game of the three game swing with the Lubbock area schools. They have played well splitting the first two 1-1, the last was close but called due to weather conditions. Cooper, however, is the toughest of the three and will create the biggest challenge. They went 13-1 last season and beat Clovis 40-2 in 2018. This season however could be a game that propels this squad into a true DC possibility run; you have to love the Jeston Webskowski-Chance Harris combination if looking to the near future. Prediction: Lubbock-Cooper 42, Clovis 14. Grine: Clovis (homer pick). NMPreps Meter: Lubbock 95%
No. 9 Mayfield (3-1, 1-0) vs Onate (0-4, 0-1): The Trojans are a quiet 1-loss team at this point of the season, not quite middle tier but not fourth tier. They should move along with ease here but Steve Castille, Onate head coach, has given some life to the future for this program. Mayfield hasn't exploded offensively and maybe this one goes four quarters but if they want to get a win in the playoffs the offense will need to match that of others in the middle and top tier. Prediction: Mayfield 34, Onate 12. Grine: Mayfield. NMPreps Meter: Mayfield 91%.
No. 10 Goddard (4-0) at No. 11 Los Lunas (3-2): Most are calling this the game of the night and rightfully so. The Goddard Rockets have been that team that we've all asked, "just how good are the Rockets?" Well, going into the season we knew they had some pieces but they have developed key players and look to be firing at the right time. Los Lunas, continues to be the team getting the talent in the Valencia county area, and have played a tough schedule to this point. They took a loss to top 5A team Roswell but a win here could keep them in the conversation for a 2 or 3 seed come playoff time. Quarterback Kade Benavidez (2020) will need to play his best ball against a tough DL that the Rockets have. Prediction: Goddard 35, Los Lunas 28. Grine: Goddard. NMPreps Meter: Goddard 55%
GAMES OUTSIDE THE TOP-10
- Sneaky Good Regional Game: No. 13 Artesia (3-1) vs No. 21 Lovington (4-1). I wouldn't consider this a rivalry (or would you?) but the Wildcats are back into top form. Can they upset the Dogs on homecoming night? Also, the New Mexico Quarterback of the Year award could have a playoff year with Casey Perez (LHS) and Clay Houghtaling (AHS) squaring off.
- Upset Alert: No. 22 St. Pius X (1-3) vs Aztec (4-1). The St. Pius fans have been here before, this season and last, and have answered with wins. Can the Tigers of Aztec be the difference maker? Pick 'Em Challenge has them close.
- Keep Their Winning Ways: No. 24 Highland (4-1) at Valley (0-4). The Hornets are ranked in the top-25, not too sure when the last time I wrote that. Now, with the target, they can't afford a slip up here because although the Vikings will continue to run the expected they will be prepared.
- Magical 25. No. 25 Grants (4-0) vs Kirtland Central (1-3). The 25th spot in the ranking has been a moving target this season and the Pirates are another squad making one of their first appearances in the top-25 since 2011. This is a playoff type of game and a must-see in the four corners area.
RAPID FIRE
- Southern Sights: Ruidoso (2-3) at Silver (2-2). This is a game that could be a sound off at the end of the night. A fun match-up that puts SE vs SW and two playoff hopefuls, well their place in the seating chart.
- Northern Lights: Taos (2-2) at Capital (2-2). Who gets the bragging rights this season? Just how good is the backfield at Capital?
- Battle For SF: Santa Fe (3-2) vs St. Michael's (0-3). The Demons are looking to rebound after an upset loss last week to Bernalillo. St. Mike's is still looking for a win, strange as that sounds.
- Can Hagerman, Hang? Tularosa (4-1) vs Hagerman (3-2). The Wildcats are now ranked number one in 3A football, will they take out their frustrations on Hagerman after suffering their first loss of the season?
