November 5, 2009

Kyle Henderson
NMPreps.com Publisher

Week 11: Metro Area Regional Report

Season Stat Leaders | Week11: Most Likely To Lose | All-Academic Team | Class 5A/4A Bubble Watch

Eldorado at Rio Grande, 7 p.m. (Milne)
The Eldorado Eagles (4-5) sit one game outside of the .500 level. Without a doubt, they'll take care of the Ravens Friday night and be seeded at the nine spot come play-off time. This team is dangerous, they have a lot of weapons such as Marcus Dunning, Tyler Mulloch, Bobby Blackstone and names we have always known like Willie Pounds, Armin Day, and Gary Maestas. No doubt Eldorado rolls and no doubt that the Eagles are a play-off lock. Good end of the season play-off warm up game. Overall Edge = Eldorado

La Cueva at Albq. High, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
The La Cueva Bears are the four touchdown favorite going into this game tonight at Wilson Stadium. They are running at full steam and there is no way that the Dogs from Albuquerque High can get in their way. The Dogs will play tough for a while, but by half this one should be over. With a La Cueva Bears victory, they should wind up at the number three spot, pending Mayfield beats Las Cruces. La Cueva and the Bears all the way. Overall Edge = La Cueva.

St. Pius at Belen, 7 p.m.
We crowned St. Pius X a play-lock for the 2009 bracket, but if they completely blow out in this one, they'll land up at (5-5) and you know who else is (5-5)? The Valencia Jaguars who have the edge over the Sartans in head to head competition. Interesting... The Eagles are the big favorite, if we use Volcano Vista as the measuring stick this is what we see. Volcano Vista was 23 points better than St. Pius X and Belen was 21 points better than Volcano Vista. That has to be a scary fact for the Pius coaching staff. Pius, you have to play like a play-off team Friday night, no exceptions. Belen is the real deal and they are still very hungry. Next on the menu is Sartan. Overall Edge = Belen

Rio Rancho at Cibola, 7 p.m. (Milne)
Almost too much is at stake in this one, the winner will win the district title in what has become a big rivalry game and earn a home field play-off game in two weeks. Rio Rancho has more to lose. Since they beat Clovis earlier in the year, they could potentially wind up with a top four seed if they come out on top over Cibola. The Cougars must be seeded lower than Clovis as they lost to the Wildcats head to head. Rio Rancho's run defense has been suspect all year long and that could be the difference maker as the Cougars are just a smash mouth run oriented offense. Overall Edge = Equal

Highland at Los Lunas, 7 p.m.
Both teams are out of the play-offs, but are still playing this Friday night. If you're a senior on either team, this is your last game maybe ever, so you better be fired up. The Highland Hornets are coming off a big district win over Rio Grande and moved to (2-7) on the year, Los Lunas was idle in week 10 and had two weeks to prepare for the Hornets, the Tigers record sits at (2-7) as well. No team wants to end the year with a loss so I expect a very tight football game. Overall Edge = Highland

Del Norte at Moriarty, 7 p.m.
There is a play-off spot at stake in this one. If Del Norte wins, they are the district champ or 5-4A, therefore they are in the 4A play-offs. If Moriarty knocks off Del Norte Friday night, then a three way district tie will form in the three team district as Valencia beat Moriarty and Del Norte beat Valencia. The class 4A bubble watch could really clear up if Del Norte is able to win in Moriarty, something that is not easy to do. Overall Edge = Equal

Espanola Valley at Bernalillo, 7 p.m.
The Spartans (6-3) are just one game away from winning the district title in a clean slate fashion. The team is a lock play-off spot, but where will they land up? They can't think about that, all they have to do is rock Espanola. Overall Edge = Bernalillo

Grants at Volcano Vista, 7 p.m. (Wilson)
Grants at (5-4) on the year is a play-off bubble team and if they lose this game, which is very likely, they will not have much of a case to make the play-offs based off their body of work. Thus, they need to come out and shock the world or at least play like a team that wants to be in the play-offs. I am giving the Volcano Vista Hawks (8-1) on the year the huge edge in this one and I can't think of one reason, this game is not over by halftime. Volcano is trying to lock up a top four seed, they need to roll and roll big. Overall Edge = Volcano Vista.

Portales at Albq. Academy, 1 p.m.
The Rams come into this contest at (3-6) on the year and despite fans on the message board stating that these guys are out if they lose is not true. Portales has a few keys wins and is a good team, that will make the field of 12 better in the big picture. The Chargers have the overall edge, but lost a bit of home field advantage as their Saturday game had to be moved to Milne Stadium. Will that be a factor? No, as long as their Clauss/Branch duo remains on the field. I am starting to believe. Overall Edge = Academy

Cleveland at West Mesa, 1:30 p.m. (Milne)
If Valley has a case to make the play-offs based off their (6-4) record, than so does the Cleveland Storm who are one game away from having a (6-4) season record themselves. The Storm is young, but they have earned a nice rep in their program's first football season. This game will not be an easy task, as West Mesa's offense does match up nicely with the Storm's defense. I am taking Cleveland, but you never know in a game like this. Overall Edge = Cleveland