Week Five: Who Can Pull the Upset?
Joshua J Grine
Each week we predict the games that have potential for an upset. Likely, not correct, we continue to give reason to believe that we could have another Volcano over Mayfield pick in the bag of missed choices.
Highland (0-3) vs No. 14 La Cueva (2-2): This bee might not be big enough to stink the Bear in the honey pot. This one seems to be a game that you wouldn't even consider for an upset pick. Highland however has some steam, even though the rain placed a damper on it ended the game early while up 40-26 could look for an opportunity to sting here. La Cueva has an offensive punch to their season and might be too much however Highland, even they could score 40, might have a flying chance.
No. 11 Manzano (2-1) vs No. 1 Rio Rancho (4-0): We know that this will not be a vote that you consider. I know I wouldn't with Rio Rancho playing like someone took their candy. Manzano if they want a chance need to have a great day from their front 7. Rio Rancho has the best D in the state. Manzano has a decent D. Maybe winning the offensive side of the game with backs Jordan Byrd and Xavier Saud along with ATH Roybal.
No. 22 Hobbs (1-3) vs No. 10 Centennial (3-1): The first one is sometimes the hardest especially when you get to a slow start. Hobbs offense showed up last week in a 56-0 blowout over Lovington. Even though we know Centennial is not Lovington, if Hobbs can get into an offensive showdown they could have the QB gaining confidence with his experience WR's ready to make a huge headline on Friday night.
Atrisco Heritage Academy (0-2) vs No. 5 Volcano Vista (3-1): Two weeks ago I don't think a single person would have picked Atrisco against the spread. However they played well against Top-10 ranked Onate in a 14-0 loss. This week they take on Volcano Vista (No. 5) who is flying high on cloud 9 but could a sneak Jaguar be in the bushes as this Hawk flies to low? Atrisco needs some sort of life on offensive to have any fight, without it this upset opportunity won't happen.
Capital (1-3) vs No. 21 Moriarty (4-0): The Capital Jaguars have yet to live up to the preseason hype. That is likely all forgotten right now. Moriarty is loving their new pad in 4A. Capital needs to come alive and unleash the horses on offensive if they want to pull an upset and earn a quality resume win. However, they will need to pull a lasso on the Pintos who are scoring 41 points per game on opponents including 55 on district foe Espanola Valley from 2-5A.
Chaparral (1-3) vs Silver (1-3): Neither team is ranked in the Top-25 but this could be an upset to say, "nice win". The Lobos are coming off a Fab-50 win over Gadsden, who is no longer in the Fab-50 with the loss. Could Silver become victim number two? Neither team is stellar on offensive so a defensive showdown with a power play at some point to sneak a win. We talked about Bryan Lopez (Chaparral QB) a little this summer as a surprise name that could peak. Might have the game to take a look down south in New Mexico.
Dexter (4-0) vs Portales (4-0): Dexter is the 3A school with nothing to lose. Portales, just outside the Top-25 at No. 26 would suffer in the conversation for title teams but maybe not so much to lose either. Even though both teams are (4-0), ranked high in their classification, this would be a major upset if the Demons could pull out a win.
Joshua J Grine
Each week we predict the games that have potential for an upset. Likely, not correct, we continue to give reason to believe that we could have another Volcano over Mayfield pick in the bag of missed choices.
Highland (0-3) vs No. 14 La Cueva (2-2): This bee might not be big enough to stink the Bear in the honey pot. This one seems to be a game that you wouldn't even consider for an upset pick. Highland however has some steam, even though the rain placed a damper on it ended the game early while up 40-26 could look for an opportunity to sting here. La Cueva has an offensive punch to their season and might be too much however Highland, even they could score 40, might have a flying chance.
No. 11 Manzano (2-1) vs No. 1 Rio Rancho (4-0): We know that this will not be a vote that you consider. I know I wouldn't with Rio Rancho playing like someone took their candy. Manzano if they want a chance need to have a great day from their front 7. Rio Rancho has the best D in the state. Manzano has a decent D. Maybe winning the offensive side of the game with backs Jordan Byrd and Xavier Saud along with ATH Roybal.
No. 22 Hobbs (1-3) vs No. 10 Centennial (3-1): The first one is sometimes the hardest especially when you get to a slow start. Hobbs offense showed up last week in a 56-0 blowout over Lovington. Even though we know Centennial is not Lovington, if Hobbs can get into an offensive showdown they could have the QB gaining confidence with his experience WR's ready to make a huge headline on Friday night.
Atrisco Heritage Academy (0-2) vs No. 5 Volcano Vista (3-1): Two weeks ago I don't think a single person would have picked Atrisco against the spread. However they played well against Top-10 ranked Onate in a 14-0 loss. This week they take on Volcano Vista (No. 5) who is flying high on cloud 9 but could a sneak Jaguar be in the bushes as this Hawk flies to low? Atrisco needs some sort of life on offensive to have any fight, without it this upset opportunity won't happen.
Capital (1-3) vs No. 21 Moriarty (4-0): The Capital Jaguars have yet to live up to the preseason hype. That is likely all forgotten right now. Moriarty is loving their new pad in 4A. Capital needs to come alive and unleash the horses on offensive if they want to pull an upset and earn a quality resume win. However, they will need to pull a lasso on the Pintos who are scoring 41 points per game on opponents including 55 on district foe Espanola Valley from 2-5A.
Chaparral (1-3) vs Silver (1-3): Neither team is ranked in the Top-25 but this could be an upset to say, "nice win". The Lobos are coming off a Fab-50 win over Gadsden, who is no longer in the Fab-50 with the loss. Could Silver become victim number two? Neither team is stellar on offensive so a defensive showdown with a power play at some point to sneak a win. We talked about Bryan Lopez (Chaparral QB) a little this summer as a surprise name that could peak. Might have the game to take a look down south in New Mexico.
Dexter (4-0) vs Portales (4-0): Dexter is the 3A school with nothing to lose. Portales, just outside the Top-25 at No. 26 would suffer in the conversation for title teams but maybe not so much to lose either. Even though both teams are (4-0), ranked high in their classification, this would be a major upset if the Demons could pull out a win.
