Week 7: Top-25 Previews
Today, we take a tour around the state of New Mexico and preview the games taking place for week seven.
No. 1 Rio Rancho (6-0) at No. 2 Cleveland (6-0), Friday, 7pm: One verse two. Not much more that we could write that will have you grab the family and head to Rio Rancho, New Mexico for the battle between the teams that represent high school football in New Mexico. Two of the best teams, two of the best offensive teams along with two of the top programs that produce some of the best next level talent in terms of players sent to the next level. This one has everything from both teams averaging over 40 points per game, Rio Rancho features top player in Josh Foley who has placed himself among the top vote getters for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award against the Cleveland Storm who feature a plethora of talent in a duo of running backs Nikko Papadopoulos and Shawn Nieto. A shootout is an understatement for this old fashion duel of straight shooters. Not much for a difference maker besides the team that has the ball in the final seconds of the final quarter (maybe overtime).
Prediction: Rio Rancho 49, Cleveland 48
No. 3 Las Cruces (4-1) at No. 25 Hobbs (1-4), Friday, 7pm: Can you believe that we are in week three of district play this week? District 3-6A is shaping to be a final week showdown with a middle tier that is clear as mud. However, we feature a team at the top against the Eagles who are trying to stay airborne. The Bulldawgs of Las Cruces feature one of the best offensive lines in the state led by mid-season All-State member Tristan Olson along with featuring two of the best play makers in quarterback Payton Ball and wide receiver Brandon Baeza. Hobbs not backing down feature some top talent in a junior quarterback Gavin Hardison who has passed for over 1,700-yards on the season. The Eagles like to hang around in games but this one might be a contest out of reach with the young 'Dawgs just too talented but don't place your money too quick as we have a season of unknowns. We've seen the line of a David slaying Goalith once before, at this point, as in any shootout you better hope you have enough bullets in the chamber.
Prediction: Las Cruces 42, Hobbs 26
No. 4 Volcano Vista
No. 5 Artesia (5-1) at No. 23 Alamogordo (4-2), Friday, 7pm: Another Bulldog that has itself among the best of the best in New Mexico High School football this season. The Artesia Bulldogs are (5-1) on the season and have played one of the toughest schedules this season with the battle test against Los Lunas and Cleveland. Alamogordo (4-2) who is looking to get some swagger back after being upset last week will look to the comfort of their home turf as they take on the number one ranked team from 5A football. This could be the battle and winner take all for the 5A Quarterback of the Year as Taylor Null and his touchdown stat taking on the yards grabber Kyle Hooper of Alamogordo. Both teams have played well on defense with Alamogordo only giving up 115 points, Artesia 111 on the season through six games. The difference could be an Artesia offense that has scored 251 on the season with Alamogordo putting up 197.
Prediction: Artesia 41, Alamogordo 33
No. 6 Onate (4-2) at No. 20 Carlsbad (2-4), Friday, 7pm: Onate is coming off one of the program's biggest win of the season in a Top-10 win over Mayfield during week 6. Carlsbad who has matched the win total of 2015 is ready to take another step in the right direction. Onate is quickly emerging as a team to watch deep into the playoffs this season and have seen a rise in the interest of their offense. Running back Sal Yanez has been of the quickest stars to be rags to riches name to know. The Knights of course of talent on defense in the terms of linebackers Matthew Young and Forest McKee to name only two. Carlsbad won't go down without a fight as they have shown multiple times this season and bring running back Jaykan Willis to the table. Difference will be can the Carlsbad Cavemen move the chains, limit turnovers and then stop the Knights.
Prediction: Onate 28, Carlsbad 13
No. 7 Eldorado (3-2) at No. 10 Clovis (3-2), Friday, 7pm: Talk about playoff implications in this contest and either team could start to argue for a Top-4 seed, which would give either team a bye in the 2016 State Tournament. Eldorado is the team we are waiting to be amazed with as they have dropped a pair of close games but haven't disappointed on offense going for over 40 points in four of their five games. Clovis, much like Eldorado, is a team that is sort of floating under this radar with recent question regarding their offensive attack. They opened the season winning 46-10 and 34-14 but then only put up 7, 27 and 13 in recent weeks. Good news for the Clovis is the Eagles have been known to struggle at times on defense. The Eagles have to like the match up as they have to be just a tad better on offense and though the Wildcats want to eat the clock they still have to cross the goal line more than the Eagles.
Prediction: Eldorado 40, Clovis 24
No. 11 Manzano (3-2) vs No. 13 La Cueva (3-2), Friday, 7pm: Both teams are 3-2 on the season, both teams are on the bottom half of the middle tier looking for any convincing edge to be State Tournament worthy. The loser could be fighting for a playoff at-large bid but don't be surprised if this could be the under card District Championship outside of the Eldorado Eagles and Clovis Wildcats game. Manzano has some offensive weapons in Jordan Byrd and Xavier Ivey-Saud that look to continue their under the radar marquee season. La Cueva, much improved from last season, is playing just as well as Manzano and could have you looking at them as a potential sleeper. They feature a 1-2 punch on offense in quarterback Chris Campbell and receiver Kevin Fanelli.
Prediction: La Cueva 31, Manzano 29
No. 15 St. Pius X (5-1) at Grants (4-2), Friday, 7pm: The Port of the Pirates well feature one of the biggest games of the season with a visit from the 15th ranked team in the state of New Mexico. The Sartans of St. Pius X bring next level talent in quarterback Drew Ortiz who has been - fire - this season. St. Pius X has one of the best, least talked about, offensive teams this season with an average of 47.7 points per game. Grants will need to do everything in it's power to stop one of the hottest teams in 5A football.
Prediction: St. Pius X 47, Grants 19
No. 16 Piedra Vista (5-1) vs No. 22 Cibola (2-4), Friday, 7pm: District 1-6A kicks off this week and we wait to see if the Cougars or Panthers find what could be projected as the final win on the season. Cibola played spoiler to one bubble team two weeks ago beating Sandia and could put the final nail in the coffin for the Piedra Vista Panthers who started 5-0 but dropped a bombshell falling to Manzano without any punch in the game. Elijah Gamboa is the name to know in Panther country. Cibola features their own quarterback in Gannon Chavez. The Cougars like to keep it low in scoring and if the Panthers allow them to hold them to under the magical number of 20, an upset will happen (maybe not a major upset but an upset nonetheless).
Prediction: Cibola 21, Piedra Vista 18
No. 17 Belen (5-1) at Valencia (1-4), Friday, 7pm: Yes, both teams hail from Valencia County but the hill at Valencia could be much bigger than Tome' in this contest. The Belen Eagles have proven to be much improved from the woes of last season only winning three games. They have some prospects on the rise, we are taking notice, in Zach Halterman, Brandon Carrejo and Dominic Garcia to name only a few. Garcia made the Tate Branch All-New Mexico team in Week 6.
Prediction: Belen 42, Valencia 6
No. 18 Moriarty (5-0) at Thoreau (1-5), Friday, 7pm: No upset possible in this game. Yes, we like to envision any given night when it comes to football on Friday night and know I am not being too harsh on Thoreau. They are just outmatched at every position in this contest. Moriarty features an offense that has only given up 15-points on the season and put up an average of 37 points per game. Thoreau has allowed over 250 points per game this season. Tapia & Tapia (Dylan and Elijah) will look to continue their season of lighting up the lightbulbs on the scoreboard.
Prediction: Moriarty 50, Thoreau 0
No. 19 Goddard (3-3) at Deming (0-6), Friday, 7pm: Deming is rebuilding for 2017. Goddard has been building in 2016. After a 1-3 start the Goddard Rockets have won the last two including an upset win over Alamogordo last week. The Rockets feature two of the most exciting players in 5A football in Cameron Stevenson and Devin Quirez. The two should be able to move the ball north, south and east, west without much of a problem. Two numbers than stick out in this one is Goddard averaging 36.2 points per game (217 total) and Deming averaging 4.5 (27 on the season).
Prediction: Goddard 44, Deming 6
No. 24 Sandia (2-3) vs Santa Fe (0-5), Saturday, 1pm: Both teams enter the game on a losing streak. Sandia on a 3-game skid after a start that featured outcomes of 50-0 and 41-13. Santa Fe one of the state of New Mexico's longest losing streaks at 19 (last win was October 3rd, 2014). Sandia the favorite in the contest features some of the best talent that just sprinkled some of the season bad luck. Nothing to do on Saturday take a look at Jacob Archibeque one of the best quarterbacks in the state. However, right now Sandia is going into this game 0-0 with anything possible. J.C.
Prediction: Sandia 50, Santa Fe 6.
Bye: No. 4 Volcano Vista, No. 8 Mayfield, No. 9 Centennial, No. 12 Los Lunas, No. 14 Roswell, No. 21 Robertson
Fab 50
No. 26 Estancia: Bye
No. 27 Hatch Valley vs Pampa, Texas
No. 28 Farmington vs Gallup
No. 29 Miaymura vs No. 45 Bloomfield
No. 30 West Mesa vs Highland
No. 31 Albuquerque vs Rio Grande
No. 32 Dexter vs Eunice
No. 33 Portales vs. Hope Christian
No. 34 St. Mikes vs Taos
No. 35 Capital: Bye
No. 36 Valley vs No. 37 Atrisco Heritage Academy
No. 37 Atrisco Heritage Academy vs No. 36 Valley
No. 38 Escalante vs McCurdy
No. 39 Del Norte vs Los Alamos (Saturday)
No. 40 Ruidoso vs NMMI
No. 41 Silver vs No.Cobre
No. 42 Aztec vs No. 43 Kirtland Central
No. 43 Kirtland Central vs No. 42 Aztec
No. 44 Gateway Christian vs Mesilla Valley Christian
No. 45 Bloomfield vs No. 29 Miaymura
No. 46 Socorro vs Hot Springs
No. 47 West Las Vegas vs Santa Fe Indian
No. 48 Grants vs No. 15 St. Pius X
No. 49 Cobre vs No. 41 Silver
No. 50 Lordsburg: Bye
Today, we take a tour around the state of New Mexico and preview the games taking place for week seven.
No. 1 Rio Rancho (6-0) at No. 2 Cleveland (6-0), Friday, 7pm: One verse two. Not much more that we could write that will have you grab the family and head to Rio Rancho, New Mexico for the battle between the teams that represent high school football in New Mexico. Two of the best teams, two of the best offensive teams along with two of the top programs that produce some of the best next level talent in terms of players sent to the next level. This one has everything from both teams averaging over 40 points per game, Rio Rancho features top player in Josh Foley who has placed himself among the top vote getters for the NMPreps.com Mr. Football Award against the Cleveland Storm who feature a plethora of talent in a duo of running backs Nikko Papadopoulos and Shawn Nieto. A shootout is an understatement for this old fashion duel of straight shooters. Not much for a difference maker besides the team that has the ball in the final seconds of the final quarter (maybe overtime).
Prediction: Rio Rancho 49, Cleveland 48
No. 3 Las Cruces (4-1) at No. 25 Hobbs (1-4), Friday, 7pm: Can you believe that we are in week three of district play this week? District 3-6A is shaping to be a final week showdown with a middle tier that is clear as mud. However, we feature a team at the top against the Eagles who are trying to stay airborne. The Bulldawgs of Las Cruces feature one of the best offensive lines in the state led by mid-season All-State member Tristan Olson along with featuring two of the best play makers in quarterback Payton Ball and wide receiver Brandon Baeza. Hobbs not backing down feature some top talent in a junior quarterback Gavin Hardison who has passed for over 1,700-yards on the season. The Eagles like to hang around in games but this one might be a contest out of reach with the young 'Dawgs just too talented but don't place your money too quick as we have a season of unknowns. We've seen the line of a David slaying Goalith once before, at this point, as in any shootout you better hope you have enough bullets in the chamber.
Prediction: Las Cruces 42, Hobbs 26
No. 4 Volcano Vista
No. 5 Artesia (5-1) at No. 23 Alamogordo (4-2), Friday, 7pm: Another Bulldog that has itself among the best of the best in New Mexico High School football this season. The Artesia Bulldogs are (5-1) on the season and have played one of the toughest schedules this season with the battle test against Los Lunas and Cleveland. Alamogordo (4-2) who is looking to get some swagger back after being upset last week will look to the comfort of their home turf as they take on the number one ranked team from 5A football. This could be the battle and winner take all for the 5A Quarterback of the Year as Taylor Null and his touchdown stat taking on the yards grabber Kyle Hooper of Alamogordo. Both teams have played well on defense with Alamogordo only giving up 115 points, Artesia 111 on the season through six games. The difference could be an Artesia offense that has scored 251 on the season with Alamogordo putting up 197.
Prediction: Artesia 41, Alamogordo 33
No. 6 Onate (4-2) at No. 20 Carlsbad (2-4), Friday, 7pm: Onate is coming off one of the program's biggest win of the season in a Top-10 win over Mayfield during week 6. Carlsbad who has matched the win total of 2015 is ready to take another step in the right direction. Onate is quickly emerging as a team to watch deep into the playoffs this season and have seen a rise in the interest of their offense. Running back Sal Yanez has been of the quickest stars to be rags to riches name to know. The Knights of course of talent on defense in the terms of linebackers Matthew Young and Forest McKee to name only two. Carlsbad won't go down without a fight as they have shown multiple times this season and bring running back Jaykan Willis to the table. Difference will be can the Carlsbad Cavemen move the chains, limit turnovers and then stop the Knights.
Prediction: Onate 28, Carlsbad 13
No. 7 Eldorado (3-2) at No. 10 Clovis (3-2), Friday, 7pm: Talk about playoff implications in this contest and either team could start to argue for a Top-4 seed, which would give either team a bye in the 2016 State Tournament. Eldorado is the team we are waiting to be amazed with as they have dropped a pair of close games but haven't disappointed on offense going for over 40 points in four of their five games. Clovis, much like Eldorado, is a team that is sort of floating under this radar with recent question regarding their offensive attack. They opened the season winning 46-10 and 34-14 but then only put up 7, 27 and 13 in recent weeks. Good news for the Clovis is the Eagles have been known to struggle at times on defense. The Eagles have to like the match up as they have to be just a tad better on offense and though the Wildcats want to eat the clock they still have to cross the goal line more than the Eagles.
Prediction: Eldorado 40, Clovis 24
No. 11 Manzano (3-2) vs No. 13 La Cueva (3-2), Friday, 7pm: Both teams are 3-2 on the season, both teams are on the bottom half of the middle tier looking for any convincing edge to be State Tournament worthy. The loser could be fighting for a playoff at-large bid but don't be surprised if this could be the under card District Championship outside of the Eldorado Eagles and Clovis Wildcats game. Manzano has some offensive weapons in Jordan Byrd and Xavier Ivey-Saud that look to continue their under the radar marquee season. La Cueva, much improved from last season, is playing just as well as Manzano and could have you looking at them as a potential sleeper. They feature a 1-2 punch on offense in quarterback Chris Campbell and receiver Kevin Fanelli.
Prediction: La Cueva 31, Manzano 29
No. 15 St. Pius X (5-1) at Grants (4-2), Friday, 7pm: The Port of the Pirates well feature one of the biggest games of the season with a visit from the 15th ranked team in the state of New Mexico. The Sartans of St. Pius X bring next level talent in quarterback Drew Ortiz who has been - fire - this season. St. Pius X has one of the best, least talked about, offensive teams this season with an average of 47.7 points per game. Grants will need to do everything in it's power to stop one of the hottest teams in 5A football.
Prediction: St. Pius X 47, Grants 19
No. 16 Piedra Vista (5-1) vs No. 22 Cibola (2-4), Friday, 7pm: District 1-6A kicks off this week and we wait to see if the Cougars or Panthers find what could be projected as the final win on the season. Cibola played spoiler to one bubble team two weeks ago beating Sandia and could put the final nail in the coffin for the Piedra Vista Panthers who started 5-0 but dropped a bombshell falling to Manzano without any punch in the game. Elijah Gamboa is the name to know in Panther country. Cibola features their own quarterback in Gannon Chavez. The Cougars like to keep it low in scoring and if the Panthers allow them to hold them to under the magical number of 20, an upset will happen (maybe not a major upset but an upset nonetheless).
Prediction: Cibola 21, Piedra Vista 18
No. 17 Belen (5-1) at Valencia (1-4), Friday, 7pm: Yes, both teams hail from Valencia County but the hill at Valencia could be much bigger than Tome' in this contest. The Belen Eagles have proven to be much improved from the woes of last season only winning three games. They have some prospects on the rise, we are taking notice, in Zach Halterman, Brandon Carrejo and Dominic Garcia to name only a few. Garcia made the Tate Branch All-New Mexico team in Week 6.
Prediction: Belen 42, Valencia 6
No. 18 Moriarty (5-0) at Thoreau (1-5), Friday, 7pm: No upset possible in this game. Yes, we like to envision any given night when it comes to football on Friday night and know I am not being too harsh on Thoreau. They are just outmatched at every position in this contest. Moriarty features an offense that has only given up 15-points on the season and put up an average of 37 points per game. Thoreau has allowed over 250 points per game this season. Tapia & Tapia (Dylan and Elijah) will look to continue their season of lighting up the lightbulbs on the scoreboard.
Prediction: Moriarty 50, Thoreau 0
No. 19 Goddard (3-3) at Deming (0-6), Friday, 7pm: Deming is rebuilding for 2017. Goddard has been building in 2016. After a 1-3 start the Goddard Rockets have won the last two including an upset win over Alamogordo last week. The Rockets feature two of the most exciting players in 5A football in Cameron Stevenson and Devin Quirez. The two should be able to move the ball north, south and east, west without much of a problem. Two numbers than stick out in this one is Goddard averaging 36.2 points per game (217 total) and Deming averaging 4.5 (27 on the season).
Prediction: Goddard 44, Deming 6
No. 24 Sandia (2-3) vs Santa Fe (0-5), Saturday, 1pm: Both teams enter the game on a losing streak. Sandia on a 3-game skid after a start that featured outcomes of 50-0 and 41-13. Santa Fe one of the state of New Mexico's longest losing streaks at 19 (last win was October 3rd, 2014). Sandia the favorite in the contest features some of the best talent that just sprinkled some of the season bad luck. Nothing to do on Saturday take a look at Jacob Archibeque one of the best quarterbacks in the state. However, right now Sandia is going into this game 0-0 with anything possible. J.C.
Prediction: Sandia 50, Santa Fe 6.
Bye: No. 4 Volcano Vista, No. 8 Mayfield, No. 9 Centennial, No. 12 Los Lunas, No. 14 Roswell, No. 21 Robertson
Fab 50
No. 26 Estancia: Bye
No. 27 Hatch Valley vs Pampa, Texas
No. 28 Farmington vs Gallup
No. 29 Miaymura vs No. 45 Bloomfield
No. 30 West Mesa vs Highland
No. 31 Albuquerque vs Rio Grande
No. 32 Dexter vs Eunice
No. 33 Portales vs. Hope Christian
No. 34 St. Mikes vs Taos
No. 35 Capital: Bye
No. 36 Valley vs No. 37 Atrisco Heritage Academy
No. 37 Atrisco Heritage Academy vs No. 36 Valley
No. 38 Escalante vs McCurdy
No. 39 Del Norte vs Los Alamos (Saturday)
No. 40 Ruidoso vs NMMI
No. 41 Silver vs No.Cobre
No. 42 Aztec vs No. 43 Kirtland Central
No. 43 Kirtland Central vs No. 42 Aztec
No. 44 Gateway Christian vs Mesilla Valley Christian
No. 45 Bloomfield vs No. 29 Miaymura
No. 46 Socorro vs Hot Springs
No. 47 West Las Vegas vs Santa Fe Indian
No. 48 Grants vs No. 15 St. Pius X
No. 49 Cobre vs No. 41 Silver
No. 50 Lordsburg: Bye
