Week 6 Friday Night Preview & Predictions
WHAT TO WATCH
The 5A 1-Seed on the Line: No. 10 Artesia (3-2) at No. 7 Lovington (5-0), 7pmLine: Lovington, -1.5.
Prediction: Lovington 43, Artesia 42.
This is the game of the night, featuring two of the state's top offenses squaring off for what could be a decisive showdown in the race for the 1-seed in 5A football. Lovington, currently ranked No. 1, and Artesia, sitting at No. 3, are both prime contenders for the state title. Both teams have high-octane offenses, with Lovington averaging 37.8 ppg and Artesia 48.8 ppg. Quarterbacks Izac Cazares (Artesia) and Matthew Prudencio (Lovington) will be key in this shootout, and the winner could avoid facing fellow powerhouse Roswell until the state championship.
Ready to Challenge: No. 22 Organ Mountain (2-3) vs No. 5 Las Cruces (3-2), 7pm
Line: Las Cruces, -16.5.
Prediction: Las Cruces 36, Organ Mountain 21.
The Organ Mountain Knights are one of this season's feel-good stories, turning around from a winless 2023 campaign to a two-game win streak. However, they face their toughest challenge yet against Las Cruces, a top-5 team coming off a 44-14 district-opening win over Hobbs. Las Cruces RB Daniel Amaro is the main threat, but Knights' freshman sensation Romeo Jones, with 450 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, could make this a game. The Bulldogs remain favorites, but Organ Mountain has a chance to prove they're no longer a pushover.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH
Belen (2-2) at Miyamura (2-3), 7pmLine: Belen, -18.
Prediction: Belen 28, Miyamura 12.
Belen is the favorite to win District 1-5A, and a win here would extend their streak to three games. While the Eagles should handle Miyamura comfortably, the Patriots will put up a fight in Gallup.
Goddard (2-3) at Gadsden (4-1), 7pm
Line: Gadsden, -3.5.
Prediction: Gadsden 23, Goddard 20.
Gadsden has emerged as a pleasant surprise this season, and a win over Goddard would be a signature victory for the program, keeping them in contention for a top seed in 5A. Goddard will push, but Gadsden has the edge.
Texico (4-0) at West Las Vegas (3-2), 7pm
Line: Texico, -10.5.
Prediction: Texico 26, West Las Vegas 18.
This 2A vs. 3A matchup offers a quality test for Texico, the No. 1 ranked team in 2A football. West Las Vegas presents a challenge, and the Dons will want to prove they can compete with one of the best in the state, regardless of classification.
Valencia (4-1) at Portales (2-3), 7pm
Line: Valencia, -6.5.
Prediction: Valencia 23, Portales 15.
Portales, once a state favorite, has been hampered by injuries, while Valencia has steadily improved. This game could solidify Valencia as a playoff contender capable of winning in the postseason, while Portales seeks to bounce back.
FAVORITES & UNDERDOGS
| Bernalillo (4-0) at Espanola Valley (5-0), 6pm | Bernalillo -15 |
| Belen (2-2) at Miyamura (2-3), 7pm | Belen, -18 |
| Alamo Navajo (0-5) at Dulce (0-4), 7pm | Alamo Navajo, -16 |
| Artesia (3-2) at Lovington (5-0), 7pm | Lovington, -1.5 |
| Carlsbad (2-3) at Clovis (0-4), 7pm | Carlsbad, -10.5 |
| Aztec (0-4) at Grants (2-3), 6pm | Grants, -18.5 |
| Capital (1-4) at Rio Grande (0-4), 7pm | Capital, -28.5 |
| Carrizozo (0-4) at Mountainair (0-2), 7pm | Mountainair, -20.5 |
| Crownpoint (2-3) at Tohatchi (2-2), 7pm | Tohatchi, -7.5 |
| Del Norte (0-5) at Los Alamos (2-3), 7pm | Los Alamos, -21.5 |
| Elida (4-1) at Whiteface TX (4-0), 7:30pm | Whiteface TX, -18.5 |
| Gallup (0-5) at Thoreau (2-2), 7pm | Thoreau, -29.5 |
| Goddard (2-3) at Gadsden (4-1), 7pm | Gadsden, -3.5 |
| Hatch Valley (3-2) at Socorro (4-1), 7pm | Socorro, -12.5 |
| Hobbs (2-3) at Alamogordo (1-4), 7pm | Hobbs, -19.5 |
| Hozho Academy (3-2) at Cuba (7pm | Hozho, -6.5 |
| La Cueva (4-0) at West Mesa (2-2), 7pm | La Cueva, -22.5 |
| Laguna-Acoma (2-2) at Navajo Prep (3-1), 7pm | Navajo Prep, -10.5 |
| Las Cruces (3-2) at Organ Mountain (2-3), 7pm | Las Cruces, -16.5 |
| Logan (5-0) at Floyd (1-3), 1pm | Logan, -19.5 |
| Magdalena (1-2) at Animas (1-3), 6pm | Animas, -11.5 |
| Melrose (5-0) at Mesilla Valley Christian (5-0), 6pm | Melrose, -14.5 |
| Menaul (3-1) at Fort Sumner/House (3-0), 6pm | Fort Sumner, -20.5 |
| Mescalero Apache (2-2) at Gateway Christian (3-1), 7pm | Gateway, -17.5 |
| Navajo Pine (1-3) at Northwest (0-0), 7pm | Navajo Pine, -10.5 |
| NMMI (3-1) at Cobre (2-3), 7pm | NMMI, -11.5 |
| Piedra Vista (1-3) at Canyon TX (3-1), 8pm | Canyon TX, -14.5 |
| Questa (4-1) at Esclante (1-4), 7pm | Questa, -12.5 |
| Roy/Mosquero (3-1) at Dora (2-1), 7pm | Roy, -14.5 |
| Ruidoso (0-4) at Dexter (5-0), 7pm | Dexter, -48.5 |
| Santa Fe (2-3) at Eldorado (2-2), 7pm | Eldorado, -18.5 |
| Santa Teresa (1-4) at Roswell (3-1), 7pm | Roswell, -22.5 |
| Shiprock (0-3) at Montezuma-Cortez (2-1), 7pm | Montezuma-Cortez, -29.5 |
| St. Michael's (5-0) at Raton (2-2), 7pm | St. Michael's, -30.5 |
| Taos (3-1) at Bloomfield (4-0), 6pm | Bloomfield, -32.5 |
| Tatum (3-2) at Hagerman (2-2), 7pm | Tatum, -11.5 |
| Texico (4-0) at West Las Vegas (3-2), 7pm | Texico, -10.5 |
| Tularosa (3-2) at Robertson (5-0), 7pm | Robertson, -33.5 |
| Valencia (4-1) at Portales (2-3), 7pm | Valencia, -6.5 |
| Wingate (0-5) at Zuni (1-3), 7pm | Zuni, -6.5 |
